The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-14
WORKINGMEN NOT
REPRESENTED
Many Miners Are Opposed to the OPP
orators Proposed Commission
for This Reason.
They Look Upon 1t as a Counter
Proposition to the One Made
by Mr.. Mitchell.
President Mitchell Makes No Com.
ment-How It Is Received
by the Miners.

Eilkesbarre, Pa. Oct. 14.-President
Mitchell Of the miners union refuses point
blank to talk for publication at this time
on the new proposal for arbitration OF the
strike laid before President Roosevelt last
night by the presidents Of the coal carry
ing railroads. No official information can
be had as to his views and he himself does
not know whether he will make a state
ment' later in the day.
The new offer was variousy received
BY the striking miners Of the region. 1t
did not become known until we'll in the
morning and there were many different
views taken by the men. There is a
large number of mine workers who favor
rejection of the offer as formulated by
fhe operators while there equally as
many who some good in the offer.
The niners, however, have the grea test
confidence in the Judgment of their lead
er aAG are waiting to hear some express
zion from him.
The citizens Of the region generally are
rejoicing at the new turn of affairs and
feel confident that the step just taken
by the operators will result in good
President Mitchell received the news
1r9rn the representatives of the press after
J O'clock this morning the moment it was
flashed here from Washington. He had
been informed by the correspondents that
a conference was in progress in the White
Z
ATS result would be-
he Immediately retired after learning
o1 the arbitration offer, and refused to
nave anything to say. He came down
rrom his room at $50 o'clock and was
again taken in hand by the reporters but
he once more refused to discuss the prop
csition, saying he had not read it, Later
N the morning. after he had read the
operators address to the public, he told
She newspaper men that he did not know
whether he would have anything to say
during the day. His attention was called
no the assertion in the address that pos
Eibly only one-half of those on strike are
members of the union, and he also de-
'elined to discuss this phase Of the docu-
nent.
Counter Propositions. ~r d.
Comparing President Mitchells offer
made to the president Of the United States
ten days ago with that of the operators
made last night, there are many persons
who look upon the operators offer as a
counter proposition. and believe that the
miners will treat it such. Mr.. Mitch
ellis offer to the president was that he
should appoint the commission. The OPP
orators go that far and step farther,
by stipulating that the members of the
commission must be selected from vari-
pus occupations or professions suggested
by the companies.
Gossip at strike headquarters showed
That many miners were against the new
plan because no recognized representa-
tive Of the workmen Is included in the
operators suggestions, unless he can be
belected under the head of "a man prom
hent as a sociologist'
Some Of the Objections.
Objection is also expressed to clause 3,
which, the strikers say. limits the presi-
dent of the United States to select Judge
from about four men. In fact. flaws can
be picked in every clause of the new Of
fer. Those in favor of the plan feel that
President Mitchell should accept it and
trust to President Roosevelt to make the
beard or commission impartial as it is
fl bic power to do under the conditions
taid down by the operators. They do not
Favor counter proposition as Is being
suggested by those against the latest plan
on the ground that it would do no good
ard would cause public sentiment. which
The miners think is with them, to turn to-
ward the operators. The best Judgment
OF those who have been with President
Mitchell through the strike, and who have
watched his every action and talked with
him privately is that the arbitration plar
is rnsa tisfactory to him. But, owing tC
tile tremendous pressure being brought tc
bear on both sides to end the conflict. IT
IS not im probable that the miners leader
will waive his objection and advise that
The proposition be accepted
TIE three district presidents are not
here but they are on their way to this city
They will hold a conference Immediately
after they all arrive. There Is some tall
that a joint convention Of the three an.
thracite districts may be called and the
whole matter laid before the miners them
selves.
The situation summed up briefly is still
niXed hut the outlook for an ending OF
the strike at no very distant date Is re.
aarded as hOneful