Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-16
STRIKE SBIIHLEMEN'I
NEAR AT HAND

official message from President Roose-
welt. Wilkesbarro stated that it is
thought there that the proposition
will not be accepted in its present
form.
The operators have agreed to arbi-
trate the coal strike and the end of thu
long struggle is now in sight As a
result OF the conference at Washington
between ]. Pierpont Morgan, his bust
ness partner, Robert Bacon, Secretary
of War Root and President Roosevelt
the operators propose that a commiss-
ion of five persons be appointed by
President Roosevelt to adjust the diff
culties between the miners and them
selves. The operators request
that work shall be resumed in
the mines Immediately upon the ap-
pointment of the commission. The
proposition as presented is rs follows:
eve suggest a commission be APP
pointed by the President of the United
States to whom shall be referred all
questions at issue between the respec-
tive companies and their own employees
whether they belong to a union or not
and the decision of that commission
shall be accepted by us.
Attached to Mr. Mitchcll's PROPOSE
tion was a promise of immediate re-
sumption of work ana tn" stipulation
of an agreement on the basis Of the
tribunals award for any period from
one to five years.
Attached to the operators PROPOSE
tion is a proposition to Immediately
return to work without discrimination
between union and nOn-unIon labor
and promise to be governed by the
award of the Presidents commission
for term of at least three years.
The difference between the PROPOSE
tions if there is any appreciable diff
erence is one of sentiment. Under an
agreement which Mr.. Mitchell propos-
ed there would have been a positive
recognition of the union. Under the
operators proposition, Mr.. Mitchell
and the Mine Workers Union are re
cognized to the extent that they are
receiving the same offer that they Of
| fered ten days ago.
No one would dispute the point that
whatever concessions the operators
may be compelled to make under the
award of the Presidents commission
| the United Mine Workers Of America
will be given the credit therefor
The operators, in a signed statement,
suggest that the committee should be
constituted as follows:
1. An officer in the engineer corps
of either the military or naval service
of the United States.
2. An expert mining engineer, cX-
perienced in the mining Of coal and
other minerals, and not in any way
connected with coal mining properties,
| either anthracite or bituminous.
3. One of the Judges of the United
| States courts of the eastern district Of
| Pennsylvania.
4. a man of prominence, eminent
as sociologist.
5. A man who by active participa-
tion in mining and selling coal is fami-
liar with the physical and commerce
al features of the business 1t being
the understanding that Immediately
upon the constitution Of such commit
tee, in order that idleness and non-pro-
| duction may cease instantly, the min
| eTs will return to work and cease all in
reference with and persecution OF non
| union men who are working or shall
prefer to work. The findings of this
commission shall fix the date when the
same shall be effective and shall gov
ern the condition of employment be-
tween the respective companies and
their employees for term of at least
three years.
George F. Baer, President of the
Philadelphia q Reading Coal & Iron
Co., LehIgh & Wilkesbarre Coal Co. ,
Temple Iron Co.
| E. b. Thomas, chairman PennsyI-
vania Coal Co., Hillside Coal q Iron
| Co.
| W. H. TruesdaIe. President of Del
aware, Lackawanna & Western r. r..
| Co.
7. w. Fowler, President Scranton
Coal Co., Elk Hill Coal & Iron Co.
r. NJ. Olyphant, President Delaware
& Hudson Company.
Alfred Walters, President Of Lehigh
Valley Coal Co.
President Roosevelt is delighted with
the outcome of the conference and feels
confident that the strike will soon be
over The proposition must now be
submitted to convention Of the Mine
Workers Union, for acceptance or re-
ection. President Mitchell said
| Tuesday afternoon Speaking without
reference to the statement issued by
the operators it is a rule of our organ
ization that no settlement can be made
by the officers of the union without
the consent of a delegate convention.
The calling of such convention is
the next step necessary in the nogotia-
tions for settlement.
From Shamokin, Mt. Carmel and
the Schn ylkill region, Tuesday, cam
statements of qualification at the pros.
pect of settlement. Officers of the Ma
tional Guard think it likely that the
troops will remain in the region for
some time after the strike ends.
Funeral Was Largely Attended.
The funeral of the late John Barber,
which took place Saturday afternoon,
was very largely attended, notwith-
standing the heavy rain. The services
were conducted by Rev. DR.. Edwards,
of Kingston. and Rev George T.. Lin.