New-York tribune., 1902-12-06
MAY SETTLE NINE TROUBLE
PLAN To HAVE EACH SIDE AGREE ON A
CASE AND SUBMIT IT TO COMMISSION
AND ABIDE BY DECISION.
Try -ELEcpIpu TO THE TRIBUNE


AND ABIDE BY DECISION.
Try TELEGRAPH THE rpIpuNr1
Scranton. Penn. Dec. 5.-Most of the indie
pendent operators, VINO two weeks ago objected
to oonciliatory settlement with the mine work.
ers. have now been won over by the big opera
tors and mine workers. and with the exception
of a few stubborn ones, all willing to make
q settlement and submit a case stated TO the
commissioners. The prospects for the success
full elimination of this plan bright, and 1t
may reach head within couple OF weeks
This afternoon Wayne Macveagh. who has
been q prime mover in the effort to reach an
amicable understanding. and Commissioner
Parker went to New-York. and later will go to
Washington Mr. Parkers departure was ex-
planned as being on private business. and Mr.
MacVeagh said ne was not particularly needed
here at present by his clients. 1t is expected
that upon their return there will be news of
Importance.
The independent operators have been won over
by the promise that they shall make full state
nlent of their case, and this will be submitted
TO the commission and be embodied in the COM
mission reports so that the public may under
stand their position.
Their chief previous objection to not agreeing
with the others regarding the settlement plan
was that it would make the operators appear
q
and make them morally if not legally responsi-
Bile for the occurrences during the strike, They
contended that the public should know the op
orators side of the case IN order to learn that
the operators were in the right. They will now
be enabled to do this by submitting full state
rnent of the case in a manner which VIII not ir-
ritate and annoy the mine workers, as 1t would
If given before the commission. and will serve
to promote the feeling of cordialityl between
them and their employees. which is necessary to
make their operations successful.
They do not oppose the increase to the miners
because it will cost them more In wages and
reduce their profits. They have faith in the
big companies raising the price of coal suffi-
cientlv TO cover all advance losses and make
the consumer pay the extra wages which the
miners get.
WHY SETTLEMENT Is SOUGHT.
The chief reason the big operators want TO set
tie is that they realize that presenting all the
testimony they have TO the commission VIII be
an interminable task be very expensive, and
that the commission will have an almost impos-
sihle task to reach a satisfactory award.
There is also to be considered the fact that
.he presentation of evidence before the commits
sion would continue to promote the bitterness
which has existed between the mine workers
and employers since the union appeared IN the
region. This bitterness, the operators estimate,
has decreased the efficiency and working capaci-
ty of the men II per cent. If they can insure
friendly and cordial relations with their men by
a settlement out of court they will regain thls
loss to working force.
They also realize that it is necessary to get
their case before the public In order to insure
peace in the future. They state that public
sentiment not only ended the strike Of 1Soo, but
gave the mine workers the courage TO enter
upon the strike of 1902. and that it also caused
President Roosevelt to make his successful Ell
fort 10. end the strike AT present the mine
workers have this powerful force of public SEN
timent on their side If the operators got their
case before the public in the compact form OF
statement to which the mine workers agree II
would harnonize they think, the present op-
posing forces, and also create a favorable ana
fair feeling in the public mind. That it is their
object TO attain.
Their plans for reaching a settlement are
based these propositions;
Eirst-That a case be stated by each party
and a verdict reached.
Second-That the mine workers agree that the
operators' figures regarding wages. weighing or
coal and hours of work are substantially cor
rect
Thfrd-That the cases stated and verdict De
submitted to the commissioners for their nno-
ing a recommendation Oh Hlcdhs W piCNcii'
future controversies
TO GET INDEPENDENTS IN LINE.
If is understood that the mine workers are
heartily in favor of this, and that they nave
been lending their efforts to get the still STUB
horn independents in line. Attorney barrow
a,d other lawyers for the mine workers are
bonsful of accomplishing good results. and soon
reaching what the operators have termed con-
ci,iatorv adjustment instead OF an amicaoie
agreement. =.
From, information which was had TO-DAY IL
.rnears that President Baer of the Philadeipnia
end Readine Company, taking much the same
e,roura as the independent operators was tne
o,,y one of the big operators who opposed the
o,t,.n,ent proposed two weeks ago he mao,
after a talk with ]. Pierpont Morgan ehoea'-
.red n preyent the negotiations proceeding.
-rne ;ndenendents however, at the meeting mao
r.ooypized the fact that conciliatory measures
were hest and they had agreed IN part thae IL
,,,ea,s cc,,ld be devised for getting tnelr case
before the public they would be agreeao Die 10 a
settlement. ar,,,, cent IN wayne
,,yaash al Washington, when Mltcheh ana
A,,orne1- rarrow awaited it with hin' IL was
RI CHICAGO IN 20 HOURS
Leaves Now ofK