The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-11-22
VIII Attempt TO Adjust Differ
encss Outside Of Strike
Commission
ARBITRATORS AGREE TO
ASSIST IN THE MATTER
Few Persons Were Aware That Such
a Move Was Contemplated and
When 1t Was Announced Gre
ated Mild Sensation.

scranton. Pa, November 21.-The mine
workers. through their representatives,
have agreed with the mine owners to at
tempt to adjust the differences existing
between them outside the anthracite coal
commission. The proposition was MADE
on a compromise basis, and negotiations
it is said, will be entered into at once,
with a reasonable hope Of settlement with
the aid Of arbitrators. The rough propo-
sition which is to form the basis of nego-
tiations is 10 per cent increase in wages.
a 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 weighing of coal by the legal
ton. While both sides have expressed
willingness to settle their differences
among themselves, 1t is not to be con-
strued that 1t carries with it the accept
ance of the terms proposed. They are
mentioned only as a basis. it is under
stood. from which a settlement is to be
effected. 1t 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 commission
ers, who in the meantime will act as a
sort of board of Cancellation rather than
as board Of arbitration.
Created Mild Sensation.
Few persons were aware that an at
tempt would be made for an outside set
tlement until 1t was practically so inti-
mated by Judge Gray, chairman OF the
commission, who read carefully-pre-
pared announcement from the bench :
The move, one of the most important in
the whole history of the coal strike, Gre
ated a mild sensation when 1t became
known. The surprise was all the greater
when It was remembered that numerous
persons, from the President of the United
States down. and many organizations,
from the civic federation to the small
boards of trade of the mining towns.
failed to bring the two parties together
It is said 1t was brought about by both
sides seeing that the proceedings before
the commission would be interminable
and that in the intermingling of the law
yers for both sides Che outside agreement
was broached and taken up.
1t 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 different said 1t came from
the miners side, while one of the lawyers
for the miners said it came from the
operators. A representative of the miners
said it was a Spontaneous proposition"
1t is generally believed, however, that
the operators were the first to make the
proposition. Wayne McVeagh is given
credit for bringing about the present sit
uation He went to New York after he
finished with Mr. Mitchell and had a con-
ference with certain persons connected
with the coal industry, among them. it is
reported, j. p Morgan. He was in New
York today in connection with the mat
ter.
Commissioners Acquiesce.
The commissioners were informed Of
the new turn of affairs last night and
acquiesced In the proposed arrangement
The subject did not directly come.up in
the public hearing today, and the adj
journment proposition was made ostensi-
bly, to permit both sides to complete their
work In preparing documentary evidence.
Clarence s. Darrow of Chicago, one of Mr..
Mitchell's attorneys, brought the matter
out when, near the close of today's ses-
sion, 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, running back for
several years, and they found that the
task of presenting them in a proper man
ner was a stupendous one. They also
wanted to carefully examine the COM
panies books, and this, too, would take
considerable time.
While Mr. Darrow was saying this, the
commissioners were attention, and no
one outside of them and few representa-
tives on 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 cooperate in bringing about the
accomplishment of the end by which tne
miners could have time to examine the
books of the companies.
1--WE have been aware for some time,
he said, that while the testimony that
has been adduced has been very interest
ing, and / will not say that 1t mas not
been of value still 1t has not yet borne
directly upon the points at issue between
the parties to this controversy"
After delivering this. the chairman read
the announcement which had been pre-
pared by the commission in advance. 1t
was as follows:
The Announcement.
.Acceding to the suggestion just made
by counsel that an interval of time be
taken for the preparation of documentary
evidence and for possible agreement as
to certain facts and figures. which would
forward the work of the commission. the
commission desires to express the hope
that an effort will be made by the parties
to come to an agreement upon nearly all,
If not all, the matters now in contro-
versv. and that they will adopt the sug
gestion heretofore made by the commits
sion to counsel on both Sides that we
Aid them in such an effort by our con-
ciliatory offices. 1t seems to us that
MANY of the conditions complained of,
and which have been the subject of study
of our examination, might be better rem
edied by the parties to the controversy
approachfng the subject in proper
spirit, and with the purpose of fairly
adjusting them. We nope gentiemeh,
that the interval of time to be granted
may be availed of with this end in view.
OF course in the meantime we shall pro-
ceed with the work before as we have
begun It."
After this announcement, Everett
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