The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-11-27
ARBTTRATORS EXPLAIN
Will Have Last Say in Adjusting
Trouble in Coal Regions.
THEY APPOINT SUBCOMMITTEE

Commissioners Say They Assume Re
sponsihility For Any Award That Is
Made, ari 1t Must Have Their Ap
Proval Before Put In Operation.
Scranton. Pa. Nov. 24-Before al
journing Saturday until December >
the anthracite coal strike commission
appointed Messrs. Watkins. Parkel
and Clarke a subcommittee to repre-
sent them at the meeting of the miu
ers and operators. 1; is the hope and
expectation OF all parties to the con
troversy that when the arbitrators
again meet an agreement on nearly al.
II not all. the points in dispute viii
have been reached for submission 70
and approval of the commissioners. A.
torneys on both sides express the opin-
ion that an amicable adjustment viii
be reached. and predict that the com
missionsrs viii make only one more
trip TO this city.
The commissioners want IL under.
stood that they have the last say in
the adjustment OF the differences. that
they will carry the fun responsibility
for whatever award If any. they
make. and that whatever is agreed
upon must have their full approval be
fore the agreement can be put into
operation. Tue subcommittee Satur-
day afternoon called into conference
as many attorneys representing ali
the parties before the commission as
could be gathered on short notice. and
stated to them the attitude of the COM
mission.
After the meeting a statement was
given out in order that the general
public. which the commission regards
as seriously interested in the proceed
ings. might know the position OF the
arbitrators regarding the new turn az
fairs took on Friday. This statement.
in full. is as follows:
Scranton. Pa. Nov. %. 1902 1t ap-
pears that there is some misunder.
standing or some lack OF understand
ing in connection with the recess taken
by the commission and the suggestion
in that connection that possibly the
contestants might be able to agree
upon some OF the important points In
volved.
The recess was desired by counsel
for both sides because authoritative,
statements of hours and wages which
are being prepared are not as yet
ready.
THE suggestion was made that per
haps some agreement might be reach
ed between the principals which would
simplify the problem AID assist in
proper conclusions The
chairman. speaking for the commits
sion, stated that the commission would
gladly cooperate. as far as could con
sistently be done, in furtherine an ef-
fort TO reach an understanding
through conciliatory means and
methods
THE idea has gone out IN some
quarters that the matter is 10 be set
tied without further effort or respon-
sibility on the part OF the commission.
This idea is entirely wrong The
commission viii, as announced cheer
fully encourage conciliatory spirit and
action between the parties to The con
troversy. but the commission has not
and will not surrender
jurisdiction of any of the matters
which have been referred to it. nor re-
sponsibility for the conclusion reached. |
No adjustment can be made which
does not, by its terms. commend itself
strongly enough 10 secure the ap-
proval OF the commission and It's In
in the award.
with a view and for the purpose
OF removing any misunderstanding
which might exist, the subcommittee
of the commission invited such of the
counsel representing the several inter
ests involved as could be reached TO
meet this afternoon"
The position to be taken by the in
dependent coal operators with regard
to the tentative agreement between
the large coal companies and the mine
workers to settle their dispute outside
the anthracite coal strike commission.
but with the conciliatory assistance of
the arbitrstors. has not yet been def
nitely decided upon. The independ-
ents held a meeting Saturday night, at
which were present the representa-
lives OF about 26 companies, and a
committee of nine was appointed TO 90
10 New York tomorrow for the DUR
pose of meeting the presidents Of the
coal carrying railroads and learn from
them what the Independent companies
are to expect providing they agree to
go along and adjust the labor dispute
without arbitration Until they learn
what the large companies intend to
do the independents will make no posi-
tive stand, beyond that which they
took in the hearing before the com
mission on Saturday. That was TO the
effect that they object to the commits
sion approving any agreement in
which the independent operators are
not included.
The independent operators will
make firm stand for some recogni-