New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-27
COAL MINERS BLAME BAER.
CHARGE HIM WITH PREVENTING SET
ELEMENT OF STRIKE ISSUES.
THEY SAY HE SENT TELEGRAM SAYING
PLAN WAS ACCEPTABLE AND THEN
STOPPED THE NEGOTIATIONS
MUCH BITTERNESS.
TBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE. !

rBE TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUNEI
Wilkesbarre. Penn. Nov. 26.-President Baer
is charged by the mine workers with misleading
them. and also the arbitration commissioners
into believing that the settlement of the strike
issues would result from a ten days adjourn
ment. They say that it was a telegram he
sent to Judge Gray chairman of the commits
sion. stating that the main features of the pro-
posed settlement were acceptable. that led TO
the adjournment of the commissioners. and it
was his telegram which yesterday put an end TO
the negotiations. There is much bitterness and
i'll feeling because of it. President Mitchell is
disappointed and annoyed. his attorneys are dis
grunted, and the district officers. who had
looked for speedy settlement, found them
selves face to face with a large amount Of
work which must be done quickly if the mine
workers are to make showing before the COM
mission
Clarence s. barrow and Henry d. Lloyd, the
lawyers who accompanied President Mitchell to
Washington, made a statement this evening
which throws light upon some hitherto obscure
features Of the case. They say:
The commission adjourned for ten days in
pursuance OF an arrangement between the
parties TO give opportunity for Cancellation. on
account Of a telegram which understand
was written by George F. Baer in the presence
OF and with the consent of every railroad con-
cerned, and was signed by Wayne MacVeagh.
This telegram written after a careful read
ing of the tentative agreement which had been
prepared and written by counsel OF both parties,
and which had been submitted TO the commits
sion. At the TequSt of Mr. MaCVeagh. Mr..
Mitchell. Mr. barrow and Mr.. Lloyd went 70
washington TO consult upon some minor details
OF the agreement. There was no friction.
important disagreement between the parties in
Washington
Later in the day and after the coal presidents
conference in NeW-YOrk with the independent
operators Mr.. McNeagh received telegram
calling off all negotiations and advising the
commission 10 settle the matter in the regular
hearing
The man who wrote the telegram to Judge
Gray stating that the main features of the
proposed settlement were acceptable was the
same man who signed the telegram to
Wayne MacNeagh three or four days later
stating that the negotiations must end A
copy of the tentative agreement is in the hands
OF wayne Mac NeaSn' MI ulCoN OF the Dela-
ware and Hudson, Carroll D Wright and prob
ably Mr. Baer
We no reason for any expression Of
optnion-the facts speak for themselves We
have been ready at all times to consult with any
one and make any reasonable adjustment. but
we have no anxiety over the case and its re-
suits, and Will be ready for business when the
commission meets
Mine workers have now II prepare evidence
regarding the wages paid. the commissioners
having expressed the desire to see this testI-
mony next President Mitchell may decide 70
accept the operators wage tables which are
now being finished, and agree that they shall
be presented to the commission as the tables
Of each side. but this has not yet been decided.
The task of getting together this evidence is
great and for the last several days the mine
workers. assured that the negotiat tons would re-
suit satisfactorily, have done no work on it.
President Mitchell would make no statement
this afternoon, but he called together all his
heutenants and hal long conference with
them, in which he outlined the work to be done
by each.
The attitude Of the Philadelphia and Reading
company and the Independent operators is be
ieved TO he the controlling influence which pre-
vented a settlement