Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-10-18
OPERATORS
AGREE TO
4 ARBITRATION
Commission to be Appointed By
President Roosevelt.
THEIR DECISION TO BE FINAL
Miners TO Return to Work When
Appointments Are Announced.
BROUGHT ABOUT BY J,P.MoReAN

SFh0O0fft FNo0At SsFs W. N1fNiN
FinaneIer and ils Partner Held Con-
ference With President Roosevelt
and Secretary Root When oper-
stors' Proposition Was Announced,
Which Covers the Suggestion Made
by Strike Leader at Former Con-
ference.
Washington, Oct. 14.-By authority OF
J. Pierpont Morgan, who with his part
ner, Robert Bacon, and Secretary Root
were in conference with President
Roosevelt at the temporary White
House last night for an hour and half,
a statement was given out by Secretary
Cortelyou In which the presidents OF
the coal carrying roads and mine opera
tors propose a commission of FIVE per-
sons to adjust the differences and set
tie the coal strike IN the anthracite coal
fields OF Pennsylvania The PROPOSE
tion is believed by the administration
10 be satisfactory TO the miners. SIS Il
covers the proposition made by Presi-
dent Mitchell, OF the Mine Workers
Union. with the additional conditions
that 1t is believed the mine workers
will accept. The statement is as fol-
lows:
The Statement.
Secretary Cortelyou, by authority of
those present at the White House,
made DubIir fba YOllou,fpr a,4ho-t.o1
statement concerning the conference:
j. p. Morgan came TO Washington
with his partner. Mr.. Bacon, at the
request of the coal companies, who
desired that as n matter OF courtesy
their statement should be shown to
the president before ii was made pub
lie. Having been laid before the
president by Mr.. Morgan, 1t is now
given to the press.
To the Public-The managers of
the different coal properties compris-
ing the anthracite coal fields wish
their position in the present strike to
be understood, an' therefore make
the following statement of facts:
There are In the anthracite regions
about 10 operating companies and
firms, and $4,000 miners and work
men (of which $4,000 are under age),
comprising some 20 nationalities and
dialects. OF these workmen possibly
one-half belong to the United Mine
Workers Union, OF which Mr.. John
Mitchell is president. The remaining
workmen in the anthracite fields
either belong to no union whatever or
do not belong to the Mine Workers
Union. The present strike was de-
clared by the Mine Workers Union
on the 10th day of May, 1902. Since
that time many workmen belonging
to or not willing TO follow that organ
izahon were working in and about
the mines. From 1900 to 10000 are
now at work. Many more have wished
10 work. but have been prevented by
a course OF violence and intimidation
towards those working, and towards
their families, accompanied by the
destruction of properties and the fear
OF death OF bodily harm to every man
who wishes to exercise his night to
work.
Why Arbitration Was Refused.
A schedule is annexed hereto show
Ing some OF the things done to create
this reign OF terror, and every instance
stated can be verified by reference
to the officers Of the law-civiI and
military-in the anthracite region.
This violence has continued and stead
lily increased, notwithstanding repeat
ed disavowals by Mr.. Mitchell. and it
Is clear that he either cannot or will
not prevent It, and that the rights
or the other workmen cannot be pro
tected under the supremacy of the
Mine Workers Union. For these rea.
sons the arbitrators heretofore pro-
posed have been refused,
The coal companies realize that the
urgent need OF coal and the apprehen-
sion OF an inadequate supply for the ap-
preaching winter calls for an earnest
enort to reach a practical conclusion
which will result IN an increased sup
ply, and the presidents Of the compan-
les desire to make every effort to that