The bee., 1902-10-16
FINDING OF COMMISSION
TO SETTLE FOR THREE YEARS,
Proposition Generally Regarded
as EminentIy Fair. Mitchell
SpeechIess.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13-By author
ity of Mr.. ]. Pierpont Morgan. who
with his partner, Mr.. Robert Bacon,
and Secretary Root, was in confer
ence with President Roosevelt at the
temporary White house tonight for
an hour and half, a statement was
given out by Secretary Cortelyou, in
which the presidents Of the coal-car-
rying railroads and mine operators
propose a commission of five persons
to adjust the differences and settle
the coal strike in the anthracite coal
fields of Pennsylvania. The propo-
sition is believed by the administra-
ton to be satisfactory to the miners,
as it covers the proposition made by
President Mitchell, of the United
Mine Workers union, with addition
al conditions, which it is believed
the miners Will accept. The state
ment is as follows:
"Mr. Morgan came to Washington
with his partner, Mr.. Bacon, at the
request of the coal companies, who
desired that as a matter of courtesy
their statement should be shown to
the president before it was made
public. Having been laid before the
president by Mr.. Morgan, it is now
given to the press:
TO the public: The managers of
the different coal properties compri-
sing the anthracite coal fields wish
their position In the present strike
to be understood, and, therefore,
make the following statement of
facts:
"'There are In the anthracite re-
gions about seventy-five operating
companies and firms, $4,000 miners
and workmen (of which 10000 are
under age), comprising some twenty
nationalities and dialects.
"'Of these workmen possibly one
half belong to the United Mine
Workers's union, of which Mr.. John
Mitchell is president. That organi-
zatioh was originally formed in the
bituminous coal region, and three
fourths il its members are miners of
bituminous coal, and bituminous
coal is sold in active competition
with anthracite coal. The remaining
workman In the anthracite field
either belong to no union whatever,
or do not belong to the Mine Work
ers' union.
/" The present strike was declared
by the mineworkers' union on the
10th dav of May, 1902. Since that
time many workmen not belonging
to or not willing follow that organi-
zation were working about the
mines. From 1000 to 10000 are now
at work. Many more have wished
to work, but have been prevented by
course of violence and intimida.
tion toward those working and tow
ard their families, accompanied by
the destruction of properties and
fear of death or bodily harm to every
man who wishes to exercise his
right to work.
GA schedule is annexed hereto
showing ssme of the things done t6
create this reign Cf terror, and every
instance stated can be verified By
reference to officers Of the law-eivi
and mllitary-in the anthracite re-
gien. This violence has continued
and steadily increased, notwith
standing repeated disavowals by Mr.
Mitchell, and it is clear that ht
either cannot or will not prevent it
and that the rights Of the othel
workmen cannot be protected undel
the supremacy of the Mine Workers
union.
"'The coal companies believe tina
the wages paid in the coal regionl
are fair and full, and all that the
business in its normal condition hat
been able to stand, If the capital in
vested is to have any reasonable re
turn. The profits have been small
several of the companies have be
come bankrupt and been reorganiz
ed several times. Several hav'
never paid dividends, and the divi
dends of the others have been
small return for the capital invested
1t is not, however, the purpose o
this statement to discuss this ques
tion. The undersigned are not, ant
never have been unwilling to sub