The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-15

WILKESBARRE, Pa, Oct, 14.-F'rom
it exists tonight there is every indica-
ton for believing that the new arbi-
tration plan proposed by the presidents
of the coal companies for ending the
miners strike will not be accepted in
its present form. There is a division
of opinion among the strikers, but there
is no doubt that a majority feel that
the offer to have the president of the
United States select an arbitration
commission along the lines suggested
by the operators is not fair and that 1t
unduly limits the president in making
UP the board. The miners, it is safe to
say, will abide the advice of their ma
tional president, in whose judgment
they have the utmost confidence. Pres
ident Mitchell declines to say how he
personally looks upon the proposition.
but tonight he gave to the press the
above statement.
Urged by Correspondents.
This statement was made by him at
o'clock after a silence lasting all day.
He had no intention of making it until
the correspondents representing news
papers all over the country called on
him in body and informed him that
the general public desired to have an
answer to the proposition of the OPP
orators. After giving it he was asked
many questions regarding the attitude
Of the men and the probability of the
acceptance or rejection of the new Of
fer, but he had no reply to make to
any Of these questions. He denied that
he had any knowledge Of what the
new offer of the operators was until 1t
became public property, and also denied
that he was in telephone comnunica-
ton with President Roosevelt. His at
tention was called to the fact that
most of the information from Washing
ton indicated that the proposition would
be accepted and that the strike was
near an end, but he stoutly maintained
that neither his officers nor the rank
and file of the men had done anything
to cause such an impression to go out.
Refers to Gold Bricks.
The district presidents also maintain
silence as to their personal opinion on
the proposition excepting President
Fahy, who, after he arrived from Bos-
ton today gave an inkling as to how
he viewed the new turn of affairs. In
reply to a query he said:
"The strike cannot be settled with
out the consent of the men. We are
not dealing in gold bricks Of any kind,
and you can make any deduction from
that you want"
There will be conference tomorrow
between Mr.. Mitchell, the three district
presidents and Secretary Treasurer
Wilson, who will arrive here tomorrow.
1t is fully expected that the sentiment
of all the strikers will be known to-
morrow and that action will be taken
accordingly. There is talk Of a con-
vention being called, but there Is moth
ing definite on which to base this talk.
When Mr.. Mitchell was asked if he and
the district officers had power to end
the strike, he said that 1t is a rule OF
the organization that no settlement
can be made by the officers of the UNI
ion without the consent Of a delegate
convention. 1t is practically certain
that Mr.. Mitchells voice will be fol-
lowed in the conference. While he
has not said a word as to what he will
do, 1t Is freely predicted by those who
understand the SITUATION tndt ne Will
advise a refusal Of the proposition.
Pick Out Alleged Flaws.
The rank and file of the miners view
the new proposals in different lights,
and make strong arguments according
to their views. Those who are OPP
posed to accepting the new offer look
upon the operators latest move as
counter proposition to Mr.. Mitchelrs
offer to arbitrate made in the tempo
rary White house at Washington. They
compare the two offers, and pick out