The bee., 1902-10-16
OPERATORS PROPOSE THAT The
PRESIDENT APPOINT COMMISSION.
Will Refer All Questions at Issue Between Com
panies and Their Employees.

Mlneworkers' union, an organization
chiefly composed of men in rival
and competitive interest, and they
are not willing to make any arrange
ment which will not secure to the
men now working, and all now or
hereafter wishing to work, whether
they belong to the Mineworkers'
union or not, the right and opportu-
nifty to work in safety and without
personal insult or bodily harm to
themselves or their families. For
these reasons the arbitrations here
tofore proposed have been declined.
"'It will be remembered that at
the conference in Washington, Oc-
tober 8, we made the following offer:
That we would take up at each col
liery any alleged grievances, and in
the event of failure to make salts
factory adjustment, the questions at
issue to be submitted to the final
decision of the judges of the court Of
common pleas of the district in
which the colliery is located. This
offer was made by us in good faith,
and we desire here to re-affirm it.
1.-The coal companies realize that
the urgent public need of coal and
the apprehension of an inadequate
supply for the approaching winter,
call for an earnest effort to reach a
practical conclusion which will re-
suit in an increased supply, and the
presidents of the companies desire
to make every effort to that end
which does not involve the abandon
ment of the interests committed to
their care and of the men who are
working and seeking to work in
their mines. This responsibility they
must bear and meet as best they
can.
" They, therefore, restate their po-
sition: That they are not discrimin-
ating against the United Nine Wsrk-
ers, but they insist that the miners
union shall not discriminate against
or refuse to work with non-union
men; that there shall be no restric-
tien or deterioration in quantity or
quality of work, and that owing to
the varying physical condition Of
the anthracite mines each colliery Is
a problem by itself.
awe suggest a commission to be
appointed by the president Of the
United States Qf he is willing to per-
form that public service to whom
shall be referred all questions at is
sue between the respective compa-
MES and their own employees, wheth-
er they belong to a union or not, but
that decision of the commission
shall be accepted by us.
"'The commission to be constitut-
ed as follows:
'First-An officer In the engineer
corps of either the military or naval
service of the United States.
"Second-An expert mining engi-
neer, experienced in the mining OF
coal and other minerals, and not in
any way connected with coal mining
properties, either anthracite or btu
minous.
"Third-One of the judges of the
United States courts of the eastern
district of PennsylvAnia.
"'Fourth-A man Of prominence
eminent as q sOeiolosist.
"sFifth-A man who, by active
participation In mining and selling
coal, is familiar with the physical
and commercial features of the busi-
ness. It being the understanding
that Immediately upon the constitu-
ton of such commission in order
that idleness and nsn-prsduction
may cease instantly, the miners will
return to work and cease all inter
ference with or persecution Of any
nonunion men who are working Ol
who shall hereafter work. The find
ing of this commission shall fix the
date when the same shall be effect.
i've, and shall govern the conditions
of employment between the respec'
tive companies and their employee
: for term of at least three years.
"'George F. Baer, president Phil
; adelphia & Reading Coal & Iror
company; Lehigh Il Wilkesbarrt
Coal company; Temple Iron com
pany.
: 'E. B. Thomas, chairman Penn
sylyania Coal company; Hillside
Coal d Iron company.
"'W. H. Truesdals, president Del
: aware, Lackawanns Railroad com
pany.
: "'T. p. Fowler, president Scran