The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-17
HOW MINERS REGARD PROPOSAL
OF OPERATORS.
MITCHELL REFUSES TO TALK
President Roosevelt Will Appoint
Commission Provided 1t is Salts
factory to Strikers.

dent Mitchell OF the miners unlOn re
fuses positively to talk for publication
at this time on the new proposal for
arbitration of the strike laid before
President Roosevelt last night by. the
presidents of the coal-carrying roads.
The news of the new offer did not
become known until well in the morn
ing, and there were many different
views taken by the men.
A number of mine workers favor a
rejection of the offer as formulated
by the operators, while there are
equally as many who see some good
in the offer. The miners, however,
have the greatest confidence in the
Judgment of their leader and it is
certain they will leave the matter in
his hands to work out.
The citizens of the region gener-
ally are rejoicing at the new turn Of
affairs and feel confident that the
step just taken by the operators will
result in much good, if not a speedy
settlement Of the great strike.
~ A Counter Proposition.
Comparing President Mitchell's Of
fer, made to the president of the Unit
ed States 10 days ago, with that of the
presidents made last night, there are
many persons who look en- the presi-
dents offer as a counter proposition,
and believe that the miners will treat
it as such. Gossip at strike head
quarters showed that many miners
were against the new plan because
no recognized representative of the
workingmen is included in the opera
tors suggestions. unless he a be Sc
lected under the head of "a man of
prominence, eminent as a sociologist."
est offer of the operators pick flaws
in every clause of the new offer. Those
in favor of the plan feel that President
Mitchell should accept it and trust to
President Roosevelt to make the
board or commission as impartial as
it is in his power to do under the con-
ditions laid down by the operators.
They do not favor a counter PROPOSE
ton, on the ground that it would do
no good and would cause public senti-
ment, which the miners think is with
them, to turn toward the operators.
Mitchell Not Satisfied.
The best judgment of those who
have been associated with President
Mitchell throughout the strike is that
the arbitration plan is unsatisfactory
to him. Owing. to the tremendous
pressure being brought to bear on
both sides to end the conflict it is
not improbable that the proposition
will be accepted. The three district
presidents are not here, but they are
on their way to this city. They will
hold a conference Immediately after
they all arrive.
There is some talk that a joint con-
tricts may be called and the whole
matter laid before the miners them
selves. The situation summed up
briefly is still mixed, but the outlook
for an ending OF the strike at no very
distant date is regarded as hopeful.
The situation at the colleries today
remains unchanged with every pros
pect Cf it remaining SO while the pres
ent arbitration plan is under consid-
GRAFTON. The soldiers were sent out
through the outlying territory as usual
today, but they found nothing to do.
President Mitchell at noon stated
to the Associated Press representative
that no settlement can be made by
the officers of the union without the
consent of a convention.