Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28
Apprehension Regarding the
Coal Operators.
MAY CAUSE TROUBLE
SUGGESTIONS TO THE ARBITRA-
TION COMMISSION.
Confidence Felt That It's Rulings Will
Be Such as to Guard the Main
Purpose of Its Creation.

People who have carefully studied the
course of the anthracite coal operators,
and especially their words before the COM
mission yesterday afternoon, do not con-
slider that there will be clear sailing by any
means in the work of arbitrating the diff
culties between them and their employees
Enough things were suggested yesterday
they say, to show that the operators may
attempt to land the arbitration craft on the
rocks before the end of their journey.
Three suggestions were made, any one of
which Is regarded as sufficient to cause
very great embarrassment in the work Of
arbitrating the case if pressed by the op
orators
Dealing With Companies Separately.
The first of these objections in rela-
ton to Mr.. Baer's statement that he had
spoken only for himself, and anything he
had said could not be considered as compro-
missing any one else; that there were many
individual operators who had not been con-
suited at all in regard to the Presidents s
proposition for the appointment of COM
mission to settle the difficulties between the
operators and the strikers. He insisted that
each coal company was to be dealt with
separately.
This may appear to be very natural
and proper suggestion but when it is con-
sfdered that many of the operators who
have not been parties to the proceedings
up to the present time may not be bound
by the findings of the commission, it is seen
that there is a basis for large share CT
disappointment and cause for a contro-
versy later on The commission will bring
Into the proceedings many Of the inde-
pendent operators as possible.
Word "Arbitration."
But what is regarded as much more sig
nificant is the suggestion made by Mr.
Thomas of the Hillside Iron and Coal and
of the Pennsylvania Coal companies in re-
lation to the real nature Of the work the
commission was to perform. Mr.. Thomas
said he noticed that the word "arbitraton"
had been used, whereas he understood that
the commission was merely to carry on an
investigation If this suggestion were to
prevail it would entirely nullify the pur-
poses of the commission, 1t is claimed by
those who are most interested in it. 1t is
not believed that Mr. Thomas suggestion
VIII receive any support from the opera
tors generally and no idea is entertained
that the commission will sanction it. be-
cause 1t Is considered that the language of
the President on this subject has been SO
clear that no dispute beyond a mere cavil
can arise. 1t is recalled that the miners
called the strike off as result of an un-
derstanding that their difficulties were to
be arbftrated, that the parties to the arbi-
tration were to abide by It's results; also
that Mr.. Mitchell declined to entertain a
proposition to end the strike upon the prom
ise of the President that he would recon-
mend a congressional investigation into the
coal situation. That was the position of
Mr. Mitchell, 1t is said, because he cared
nothing for an investigation that could not
result in some good to the men If 1t was
found that their claims were well founded.
Elimination of Mitchell.
The third suggestion which Is looked upon
as having within 1t possible seeds of great
dissension Is that made by Mr.. Truesdale
of the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad
Company employing about II, 600 men and
boys. Mr.. Truesdale wanted his employees
union and non-union, to appoint a commit
tee to come before the commission, state
their grievances and represent his en-
ployes. If such a committee were appoint
ed without Mr. Mitchell as member of it.
1t would eliminate him from all considera-
tion in matters concerning that particular
company. Even if he were made member
of that committee he might be eliminated
as a factor in the fight, because the COM
mittee might be so constituted that he
could be voted down important ques-
tions. If such course were followed in
that case 1t might be followed in the case
OF each coal company.
Those who are interested in the pending
proceedings of the commission are not
greatly disturbed by these DEVELOPMENTS
but they regard them indicative that
It's action If adopted. 1t is confidently be-
lieved that the commission will rule in such
a way that the main purposes of its work
will be carefully guarded, and that no
operator would care to face public opinion
in any attempt to nullify the work of the
would be regarded by people generally
merely a cavil.