The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-10-18

Confidence Expressed That the Conf
Arbitration of the Presidents Conn
mission-A Retort Upon the Operators
and a Defence of the Union Miners
Against the Formers Aspcrsions.
John Mitchell president of the United
Mine Workers. to President Roosevelt's
commission to arbitrate the disputed
questions of the strike of anthracite
forms the president of the action of the
executive boards of districts l, and
in calling a convention of miners dele
gates in Wilkesbarre on Monday, and
agreeing to recommend unanimously
the resumption of work and the sub
mission of the differences between the
operators and the mine workers of the
anthracite fields to the commission.
The reply expresses confidence that
the convention will agree to the arbi-
tration of the eminent and impartial
men" chosen by the president, and ex-
presses gratitude to the president fol
his patriotic efforts to bring about an
honorable settlement of the strike. II
goes at length into the grievances OF
the miners, and concludes with the ex-
preston of the hope and belief that
from this arbitration will come "a COM
plete, satisfactory and permanent solu-
ton of the troubles which have vexed
the anthracite field from time immemo.
rial"
Following is the text of correspond
ence, consisting of the Geographic dis
patch of President Roosevelt to Mr.
Mitchell, and the latter's reply:
What House, Washington, October 16
1902.
''Mr John Mitchell, President United
Mine Workers of America, Wilkes
barre, Pa
II have appointed as commissioners
Brigadier General John M. Wilson, E
w. Parker, Judge George Gray, E. E
Clark, Thomas H. Watkins, and Bishop
John L. Spalding, with Hon. Carroll D
Wright as recorder. These names are
accepted by the operators, and I now
most earnestly ask and urge that thu
miners likewise accept this commission
1t is a matter of vital concern to al
our people, and especially to those il
our great cities, who are least well off
that the mining of coal should be re-
sumed without days unnecessary de.
lay.
Theodore Roosevelt"
I MR.. MITCHELL'S REPLY.
"Wilkesbarre. Pa, Oct. 16. 1902
s'Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President 0,
the United States, Washington, D. C
Dear sir: I am in receipt of your tel
egram of October Is, which reads as fol
lows: (Here the presidents dispatch il
quoted in full)) Replying thereto,
beg to inform you that your recommen
dations were submitted to the member
of the executive boards of districts l,
and 9, United Mine Workers of America
and they have unanimously agreed tt
call a delegate convention to be hell
next Monday, and will recommend t.
the convention that all men now OF
strike return to the positions and work
ing places formerly occupied by them
and submit to the commission appoint
ed by you all questions at issue between
the operators and mine workers of tn
anthracite coal fields.
IN connection with this subject w
are glad to know that the managers o
the coal companies have decided to re
cede from the untenable position whicl
they so long occupied, and to accept
modified proposition for the arbitration
of the coal strike, and to give you full
latitude in the selection OF a commits
sion. 1t will be remembered that W
proposed, on October 8, to place tn
whole matter in your hands and to &C
cept the verdict of tribunal of you
own selection. 1t will also be remem
bered that the company managers a
that time refused to accept the arbitra
ment of the president of the Unite
States and preferred that of the loca
common pleas Judges. We proposed t
leave everything to you without condi
ton or reservation, having the utmos
faith in your impartiality and goo
judgment.
I'm their refusal to accept your arbit
rament the operators sought to hold 20
in part accountable for the very condi
tons which you were trying to remed
and to instruct you as to your dutie
concerning them.
Eight days later they again appeare
before you, dropping the common plea
judge and proposing to abide by tn
verdict of tribunal appointed by vol
but attempting to prescribe within fix
od aud narrow limits the cha raptap an
yoca ton Of the men you were to mann
To this proposition, as the operator
made it, we were unalterably opposed
First, because our respect for you as
man and our ideas as to what is due
the dignity Of your office demanded ths
we should not be party to requeS
of you to accept this great responsible
ity, accompanied by detailed and in
pertinent restrictions as to the name
in which you should meet it; second, BIZ
cause careful analysis of their propos
ton disclosed to us. as it did to yo
and the public, that the restriction
were too narrow to enable you to secul
under them a well balanced and thol
oughIy impartial tribunal.
But now that you have yourself r.
moved these objections by broadenin
and strengthening the commission, W
feel confident that our convention wi
declare its willingness to have all que:
tons between the employing coInpanit
and the 95 per cent. of their employee
who are members Of our organiza tio1
determined by the board of eminent al
impartial men chosen by you.
ArrIT-