Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-14
Feeling Against Proposition
Of the Operators.
LIMITING PRESIDENT
IN CHOICE OF MEMBERS OF COM
MISSION.
Probability, However, That a Conven-
ton Will Accept Terms for
Sake Of Harmony.

o'clock this morning President Mitchell OF
the Mine Workers Union had not received
official notification of the peace proposals.
and in the absence thereof declined to dis
cuss them. Until Mr.. Mitchell makes a
positive statement no one can speak for
him in authoritative tone. The subject Is
too grave. 1t Is possible, however, to re-
fleet the varying shades Of sentiment
among the men whose advice Mr. Mitchell
will seek in reaching a decision. At this
writing there is an inclination among the
miners to view Mr.. Morgan's offer one
sided and requiring modification.
Here is the vital point: Mr.. Mitchell at the
recent conference in Washington proposed
to submit the differences to arbitration be-
fore board to be appointed by the Presi-
of Mr. Morgan is for board to be appoint
ed practically by the operators, as the
proposition distinctly specifies the class of
men whom the President shall select. There
is wide and vital difference in the two
propositions, In the opinion of many Of the
miners. ]. P. Morgan's plan, 1t is argued
here, gives to the organized labor no direct
representative on the board and only a rep
resentative by indirection.
Construction of Clause No. 4.
The labor sympathizers say that clause
Of the Morgan proposition providing for "a
man of prominence, eminent as a sociolo-
gist,'' might afford loophole for the selec-
ton of a partisan of organized labor. but
that is the only chance, and it is but theo-
retical one. Clause s, it is pointed out, gives
the operators the appointment of an abso-
lutte partisan of their cause with a voice In
the arbitration and opportunity to present
partisan arguments as we'll as vote in the
award.
1t is not possible to disregard the deep
seated suspicion of the mine workers
against their employers and the feeling that
their own interests will not be considered
by the class of men from whom the arbi-
traitors are to be drawn. John Mitchell Is
a man who makes brilliant moves In his
battles He may accept the offer Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and say: ''Mr. President. 1
trust In you to see to 1t that the COM
mission is not stacked against us, notwith-
standing the limitations placed upon your
selection by the terms Of the agreement"
that but in such an event woe betide the
man and the party responsible for the Sc
lection of commission which should rem
der a partisan decision or a decision de-
cidedly unfavorable to the miners.
President Has Knotty Problem.
From the viewpoint Of labor interests at
this distance President Roosevet's posi-
tion is not entirely enviable, and surprise
is expressed that he should have permitted
himself to be tied down in the selection OF
arbitrators. He will be held responsible
in the final analysis 1t is claimed. Regret
is expressed that President Roosevelt did
not insist upon being left unhampered in
the choice Of arbitrators
There is not the shadow of doub. that
Mitchell would jump at the chance to leave
the settlement to a board of arbitrators to
be appointed by President Roosevelt, free
from the stipulations imposed by ]. Pier
pont Morgan. He would have implicit
faith in Mr.. Roosevelt's honesty, impartial
ity and sincerity for humanity's welfare,
as well for capital at stake. Mr..
Mitchell even may conclude yet that Presi-
dent Roosevelt can evade the limitations
set upon his choice of arbitrators and pass
the whole question into the Presidents
hands. That will be determined in a few
hours. The mists of doubt and suspicion
which 1 have depicted above may clear
away during the day and this evenings
sun go down upon scene of Industrial
peace, but this morning at this writing the
mists are hanging heavy.
Will Call Convention.
President Mitchell is unwilling to assume
responsibility for accepting or rejecting
Morgans proposition. He will call con-
vention of delegates from the different locals
20 consider it. At noon today. in response
to questions, President Mitchell dictated the
following statement: Speaking without
special reference to the statement issued
by the coal operators, 1t is a rule of our
organization that no settlement can be
made by the officers of the union without
the consent Of a delegate convention" Upon
the question of his own opinion of the
terms offered Mr.. Mitchell was absolutely
dumb. Three district presidents will be
here tonight. and after a conference, If they
think the miners will consider the terms
offered, convention will be called In that
convention will be developed the truth or
falsity of the claims of the operators that
large section Of the miners are anxious
to return to work. 1t Is my judgment that
il the offer for arbitration had not been
accepted by limitations upon the Presidents
choice of arbitrators there would not be
moment of hesitation in starting the
machinery for acceptance OF the PROPOSE
ton. It still may be possible TO convince
the men that President Roosevelt notwith-
standing the limitations. can appoint a
board which will be fair.
Feeling Against the President.
There is a feeling among the rank and
file of the miners that President Roosevelt
exhibited indifference to their interests
when he appealed to John Mitchell, after
the fruitless conference with the operators,
to surrender Internationally and to go to
work pending future and problematicai ac-
ton by Congress. have never heard MIR.
Mitchell say word on that subject. but
the incident still ranikles among the men.
However. the miners are yielding blind
devotion to John Mitchell. It lies between
him and President Roosevelt to reach an
understanding as to the personnel and prob