Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-14
MINE OWNERS ACCEPT
Agree to Mitchell's Proposal
to Arbitrate.
MORGAN BRINGS OFFER
THE PRESIDENT TO APPOINT A
COMMISSION.
Statement of the Situation by the Coal
Observation-Disclosures at the
White House.
MORGAN BRINGS OFFER

neldS OF pennsylvania HiSil' iiioHei
]. Pierpont Morgan, submitted to President
Roosevelt the following proposition for the
settlement of the coal strike:
I'VE suggest a commission be appointed
by the President of the United States df he
is willing to perform that public service), to
whom shall be referred all questions at is
sue between the respective companies and
their own employees, whether they belong 20
a union or not and the decision of that
commission shall be accepted by US.
THE commission to be constituted as fol-
lows
Il. An officer in the engineer corps of
either the military or naval service of the
United States.
80 An expert mining engineer, expert
euced in the mining of coal and other min
erals, and not in any way connected with
coal mining properties, either anthracite or
bituminous.
80 One of the judges of the United States
courts of the eastern district of Pennsyl-
vania.
n A man of prominence, eminent as
sociologist.
%. A man, who by active participation in
mining and selling COAL is familiar with
the physical and commercial features of
the business.
1T being the understanding that imme-
diately upon the constitution of such COM
mission, in order that idleness and
production may cease instantly, the miners
will return to work and cease all Interior
ence with and persecution of any non-union
men who are working or shall hereafter
work. The findings of this commission shall
fix the date when the same shall be effec-
tive, and shall govern the conditions of en-
ployment between the respective companies
and their own employees for term of at
GEO. F. BAER,
president Philadelphia and Reading Coal
and Iron Company, Lehigh and Wilkes
barre Coal Company, Temple Iron Com
pany.
"E B. THOMAS,
Chairman Pennsylvania Coal Company
Hillside Coal and Iron Company.
wv. H. TRUESDALE,
president Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad Company.
IT. p. FOWLER,
President Scranton Coal Company, Elk
Hill Coal and Iron Company.
"R. NJ. OLYPHANT,
President Delaware and Hudson Company
"ALFRED WATERS,
President Lehigh Valley Coal Company
Statement by the Operators.
In connection with the proposition the
operators submitted the following state
ment:
ITO the Public:
The managers Of the different coal prop
critics, comprising the anthracite coal fields,
wish their position in the present strike to
be understood, and therefore make the fol-
lowing statement of facts:
There are in the anthracite regions about
seventy-fve operating companies and firms
and 147 900 miners and workmen COT which
10000 are under age), comprising some
twenty nationalities and dialects
of these workmen possibly one-half be-
long to the United Mine Workers Union of
which Mr.. John Mitchell is president That
organization was originally formed in the
bltumtnous coal region, and three-fourths of
Its members are miners of bituminous coal
and bituminouS coal Is sold in active com
petition with anthracite coal. The remain
Ing Workmen in the anthracite fields either
belong to union whatever or do not be-
long to the Mine Workers Union.
The present strike was declared by the
Mine Workers Union on the 10th day of
May, 19u2. Since that time many workmen
not belonging to or not willing to follow
that organization, were working in and
about the mines. From II 90 to 10000 are
now at work. Many more have wished to
work, but have been prevented by a course
OF violence and intimidation toward those
working, and toward their families, accom-
panied by the destruction of properties and
the fear of death or bodily harm to every
man who wishes to exercise his right to
work.
We have prepared a schedule showing
some of the things done to create this reign
OF terror, and every instance stated can be
Verlned by reference to the officers Of the
oiiu Yin the anthracite re-
gicn This violence has continued and stead
lily increased, Notwithstanding repeated dis
avowals by Mr.. Mitchell, and it is clear
Ihat ne either cannot or will not prevent 1t,
ana tnat the rights of the other Workmen
cannot be protected under the supremacy of
the Mine Workers Union
Inc coal companies believe that the
wages paid In the coal regions are fair and
full, and all that the business in its nor
mai condition has been able to stand If the
capital invested is to have any reasonable
return. The profits have been small sew
erai OF the companies have become bank
rupt and been reorganized several rir,es
Several have never paid dividends. and the
dividends of the others have been a small
return for the capital invested 1t is not.
however, the purpose of this statement to
discuss this question