New-York tribune., 1902-05-09
STILL WISH TO ARBIT'RATE
BUT OPERATORS HOLD OFF-AnNERS
BELIEVE MITCHELL WILL AVOID
A STRIKE.
tBT TELEGRAPH TO 7HE TRIBUNE. J

Scranton, May S.-The representatives Of the
miners held two meetings to-day. but decision
whether or not 10 strike has not been reached
A few sanguine men express a belief that Presi-
dent Mitchell will find way out of the Difficult
~, but he himself has no positive word OF en-
couragement TO say The miners are willing TO
submit the dispute between them and the opera
tors to an impartial board of arbitration but the
operators say there is nothing TO arbitrate.
One of the members of the miners executive
committees said to-day:
Mr.. Mitchell is the central figure in this meet
ing. He and his associates are wise and con-
servative. Mr.. Mitchell has not yet played his
last card In this game, but when he does he Will
open the eyes of the world. No man knows the
mind OF the miners in this region better than he.
lie VIII please the miners and not the few who
are cIamoring for the prevention Of strike. no
matter what persecution the miners may suffer
under present conditions.
Mr. Mitchell is a wise general. He is a mod
orator among these men, and yet he fight II
II comes TO the issue. better than any man I'm
the labor movement to-day. He en- courages his
followers In n straightforward manner, and as
sures them that the miners viii win, no matter
what action is taken to-day.
After reading the published reports that he
has appealed to Senator Hanna to intervene
with ]. P. Morgan for settlement. and that
Hanna made him promises which were not full
filled, Mr. Mitchell said. These statements are
not true"
WILL AVOID STRIKE If POSSIBLE
1t is believed that President Mitchell ras re-
ceived one answer to the request that he sent
to the coal presidents for arbitration Mr.
Mitchell says he will not say anything about
answers. He is inclined TO believe that several
of the operators will accept this proposition
while others Will object to it. but he declined
to say which may object Plans for arbitra-
ton. II selected, can. he said be arranged in
a very short time.
Mr.. Mitchell also said:
The union will do all that is possible to avoid
a strike, and the operators should meet us In
the same spirit. Nothing could he fairer than
arbitration. l cannot tell what tomorrow will
bring forth. We may conclude our session. and
may not. We discussing every point that
is TO be considered. and they are many and
each member Of the conference may speak as
long as he likes on each question. We are
moving slowly:
II is stated that the arbitration offer decided
upon by the mine workers was suggested in a
telegram from Senator Hanna to President
Mitchell this morning. and that the Senator also
intimated that the influence of the Civic FEEDER
alton was sufficient to induce the operators to
agree to the arbitration of the grievances, and
thus avert srike. President Mitchell however
will not say whether the plan of arbitration was
suggested before this morning or not Among
mining officials here IT is not believed that the
operators VIII accept the arbitra ton plan and
will state that they have already made Their
offer of 10 per cent increase and continue ton of
the present rate. and do not propose to alter
their position.
BUSINESS MEN AGITATED
There is much apprehension in business circles
all over the anthracite region regarding the out
come of the meetings. Strong Influences are at
work among the miners to prevent a strike. as II
is realized that tieup at this time means
long struggle and a consequent paraIyzing of
business interests. Many of the officials of the
mirers' union are likewise working to prevent a
strike. They say that II q strike must come
this is not the time of year to begin IT. Con-
sumption of coal is at a minimum during the
summer months. whereas If a strike is deferred
until autumn there is a better chance for Sc
Curing concessions without long period OF idle
There is much speculation to what Will be
the action OF the union representatives should
they decide that drastic methods necessary.
Granted thet no concession will be made 10 the
men, the miners officials have only two moves
10 make unless they declare for against a
strike. They may call another convention, fresh
from the rank and file, to decide the matter or
they may send committees OF employees TO the
different coal operators to ask for concessions.