Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-22
viii Try and Settle Differences
Outside of Strike Commission,
THE BASIS Of AGREEMENT.
Ten Per Cent Increase of Wages and
A Nine-Iiour Dsy-Maoveagh
Originated scheme.


workers through their representatives,
have agreed with the mine-owners to
attempt to adjust the differences exist
ing between them outside the antnra-
cite coal strike commission. The prop
ostion was made on compromise
basis, and negotiations, II Is expected
VIII az once be entered upon, with u
reasonable hope OF settlement, with the
aid Of the arbitrators,
The rough proposition which Is to
form the basis OF negotiations Is a 10
per cent increase in wages, nine-hour
day and trade agreements between the
miners and the company by which they
are employed. The only one OF the
four demands not touched upon is that
Of the wephing OF coal by the legal
ton While both sides have expressed
u willingness to settle their differences
among themselves 1t Is not to be con-
strued that 1t carries with II the ac-
ceptance Of the terms proposed. They
are mentioned only as basis 1t Is
understood, from which settlement
Is to be effected. II Is possible that
the foundation already laid can be
wrecked by either party holding out
TOO strongly against some question, and
thus leave the whole matter In the
hands Of the commissioners, who In
the meantime will act as sort Of
board of Cancellation rather than as u
board Of arbitration.
Few persons were aware that an at
tempt would be made of an outside
settlement until II was practically so
intimated by Judge Gray, the chairman
Of the commission, who read care
fully prepared a announcement
bench The move, one of the most
important In the whole history Of the
coal strike, created a mild sensation
when 1t became known. The surprise
was all the greater from the fact that
numerous persons. from the president
of the United States down, and many
organizations, from the National Civic
federation to the small boards OF
trade Of the small mining towns. had
failed TO bring the two parties to-
gether II was all brought about by
both sides seeing that the proceedings
before the commission would be inter-
mlnable, and in the intermingling OF
the lawyers fo' both sides the outside
agreement proposition was preached
taken up,
II cannot be officially stated which
party made the proposition first. The
attorneys for both sides are averse to
talking, but those who were inclined to
say something differ In their state
ments. An attorney for one of the rail-
roads said It came from the miners
side, while one lawyer from the miners
said II came from the operators. An
other representative of the miners said
II was generally believed that the oper-
ators were the first 10 make the propo-
sition. Wayne MacVeigh, who car
ried on such brilliant cross examina-
ton of President Mitchell is given cred
IL for bringing out the present situation.
lie had a conference tonight with GER
tain persons connected with the coal in
dustry, among them. II is rumored LIZ
Morgan, He was in New York today In
connection with the matter.
The commissioners were informed OF
the new turn in affairs last night and
acquiesced in the proposed arrange
ment. The subject did not directly
come up IN the public hearing today
and the adjournment proposition was
made ostensibly TO permit both sides
TO complete the work OF preparing docu-
mentary evidence.
Clarence ). barrow Of Chicago, one
of Mr.. MitchelPs attorneys, brought the
matter out when, near the close Of to-
days session, he suggested that the
miners be given little more time TO
prepare their evidence. The miners
wanted to present the due bills or wage
statements of thousands of miners, run
ming back for several years, and they
found that the task Of getting them In
a proper manner was stupendous one.
They also wanted to carefully exam
inc the company books, and this, too,
would take considerable time,
While Mr.. Darrow was saying this,
the commissioners were all attention,
and no one outside of them and few
representatives Of each side Of the case
knew what was coming. Judge Gray,
In reply TO Mr.. Darrow, said that the
commission would be very glad to CO.
operate In bringing about the accom-
plishment OF the end by which the min
ers could have time to examine the
books Of the companies.
II was learned tonight by the CORES
pendent Of the Associated Press that
all the large companies have not yet
assorted 20 'he proposed outside agree
ment, but that in all probability they
Will consent and continue to work as a
unit, as they did during the strike.
There Is wide difference Of opinion
as to whether the proposal TO settle
the differences among themselves will
meet with success, As general propo-
sition, 1t is believed by the officers that
II will succeed but that some Of the
controversial points will have TO go be-
fore the arbitrator. II has been real
izel that at least two Of the four de-
mands OF the miners-that OF the uni
form wage scale and the weighing OF
coal-cannot be satisfactorily settled
In the hearing-room, but must be fixed
at the mines. There are more than 800
collieries. and there are hardly any two
of them alike.
IL Is argued by the operators that |
there must be different scale for each |
one, on account Of the varying condi- |
tons, and that a uniform wage scale, |
which Is one Of the miners demands, Is |
impossible. Regarding the weighing OF |
coal, the operators say that It would be |
impossible TO grant the demands as pre-
scented by the miners. because Of the |
OF machinery or system |
by which a miner can be paid for the |
2,iiO pounds OF prepared coal. II will |
have 10 be done. they say, through the
llfNtUt hyNltHl OF hNtlHttNs
The proposition Il to have the mine
workers make contracts with their EN-
ployers only and not as II IL done In
the bltumlnous states. where the OPP
orators have state or district organiza-
tions which recognize the United Mine
Workers OF America. The proposed con-
tract with each company does not car
ry with II a recognition Of the union.
and on that ground Il IL not likely that
the two parties will be able 10 settle
without resort TO the arbitration COM
II IL not doubted that what
ever the agreement. II one
Il reached, will be approx
u by the commission. The agreement,
however, will have 20 be one that will
provide for reasonably sure perma-
lent settlement. The instructions CIV
IN 10 the commissioners by President
Roosevelt when he handed the case 10
hem 10 settle. are explicit. In these
Instructions he said. You will endeav-
" 20 establish the relation between
he employers and the wage-workers