Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-10-01
SETTLEMENT
RUM0RS AGAIN
Miners Great Struggle Is
Drawing to a Close.
Renewed Activity of Union
Officials Follows Mysteri-
Gus Meeting at PhiIadeI-
phia--Baer Predicts End.

phia--Baer Predicts End.
The movement began 10 August to
end the coal strike, and which had
about succeeded In its difficult task
when horde OF glory-seekng poll
tlcians stepped in and nullified the
greater part of the work accomplished,
has been resumed, and the indications
are that success will be achieved this
time, as the meddle-mongers who sought
to make partisan capital out OF the
settlement have been warned by both
sides to keep hands off,
At the head OF this movement is a
strong broad man of national reputa-
tion. His name is being kept a secret
by those who know Of his plans. They
say that to divulge 1t at this time
might again bring his efforts to naught.
1t is confidently stated by persons who
know something OF this mysterious
movement that it is stronger than the
operators and stronger than the miners
Its object isn't the advancement OF
either, but the settlement OF the strike
| upon the broad ground Of public rights.
The representative OF this movement
was at the Hotel Walton, Philadelphia,
on Monday. In response to a call from
the mysterious man, President Mitchell,
Secretary Wilson and District Presidents
Nichols, Fahy and Duffy hurried to
Philadelphia. That he is man of great
standing and Importance is evidenced
by the fact that they dropped important
work to answer his summons.
Mr.. Mitchell was so busy he wouldn't
go all the way to indianapolis, and Mr..
Wilson was so busy he could not 90
all the way to Wilkesbarre to attend to
routine matters OF the organization,
which they had to 60 over. So they
split the journey and met in Pittsburg.
Mr.. Mitchell expected when he left
Wilkesbarre, to be back Sunday night.
Then came the summons. 1t was so
important that Mr.. Wilson dropped the
great mass of work waiting for him in
Indianapolis and journeyed all the way
to Philadelphia to attend the conference.
This fact is accepted as proof that the
miners leaders regarded it as matter
very important to their cause.
Since their return to Wilkesbarre Mr..
Mitchell and the three district presi-
dents have refused every request for in
formation concerning the Philadelphia
conference. They will not say whom
they met, what proposition, II any, was
made, whether a settlement is In sight,
or what effect the meeting will ultl-
mately have upon the strike.
President Mitchell declares that the
person with whom he was In conference
did not represent the coal operators.
This declaration is not considered i'm
portant, as Mr.. Mitchell would not deny
that indirectly this person might be
authorized to speak for the coal COM
panes. The impression at strike head
quarters is that the mysterious man is
one OF j. Pierpont Morgan's financial
agents. 1t is also believed that the man
who conferred with the miners chief
got his best terms for settlement OF
| the strike and that those terms are now
being discussed by the mine owners.
That the conference gave the union
leaders renewed hope of winning the
strike is evident. They are all in good
spirits and particularly happy frame
of mind.
Unless all signs fail, this latest move
ment will be productive of results which
will be entirely satisfactory to the
miners.
Rumors Of settlement upon the basis
that the men shall return to work under
a guarantee that they will be met in a
wage scale conference at some future
time are killed outright by statements
from all the strike leaders, from Presl-
dent Mitchell down, to the effect that
the men will not return under any prom.
Ise. They feel con ident that they have
the operators beaten, and they will not
accept any compromise Of that sort.
They want the questions involved set
tied, once and for all, and they say they
will stay out until they are settled.