The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-14

families. accompanied by the destruc-
ton of properties and the fear of death
or bodily harm to every man who wishes
to exercise his right to work.
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
tary, in the anthracite regions. This vi
olence has continued and steadily in
creased Notwithstanding repeated dis
aVowaIs by Mr.. Mitchell, and it is clear
mat mat ne either cannot or will not pre-
vent II. and that the rights of the other
Workmen cannot be protected under the
supremacy Of the mine workers union.
PROFITS HAVE BEEN SMALL.
The coal companies believe that the
wages paid in the coal regions are fair
and fulk and all that the business in its
normal condition has been able to stand
II the capital invested is to have any
reasonable return The profits have been
small. sevefsH of the companies Fare
several Inaes Severa bavr never paid
dividends and She dividends of the
others ave he n a small return eor the
capital invested. 1t is not however, the
purpose OF this statement to discuss this
question
The undersigned are not and never
nave Been unwilling TO submit all ques-
tlo-ls between them and their workE,en
not willing TO enter into arbitration with
the mine workers union, an organiza-
tlcE chiefly composed of men in rival
and competitive interest, and they are
not willing to make any arrangement
which Will not secure to the men now
working, and all now or hereafter wish
ing to work, whether they belong to the
mine workers union or not. the right
and opportunity to work in safety aIil
without personal insult or bodily harm
to themselves or their families For
these reasons the arbitrations heretofore
proposed have been declined.
TIE OFFER TO ARBITRATE.
1T will be remembered that at the
conference in Washington October g.
we made the following offer: That we
would take uD at each colliery anv al
legged grievance, and, in the event of a
failure to make satisfactory adjustment
the questions at issue to be submit
ted to the final decision of. the Judges
of the court of common pleas Of the
district in which the colliery is located
Ihls offer was made by US in good faith
and we desire here to reaffirm it,
The coal companies realize that the
urgent public need of coal and the aD-
prehension of an inadequate supply for
the approaching winter calls for an
earnest effort to reach a practical con-
cluslen which will result in an increased
supply, and the presidents of the COM
panies desire to make every effort to
that end which does not involve aban-
donment of the interest committed to
their care and of the men who ara
working and seeking to work in their
mines. This responsibility they must
bear and meet as best thev can.
"They therefore restate their position
That they are not discriminating against
the United Mine Workers, but they in
sist that the miners union shall not dis
criminate against or refuse to .~orlS
with nonuniOn men; that there shall be
no restriction or deterioration in quan-
tity or quality Of work. and that, owing
to the varying physical conditions of
the anthracite mines. each colliery is a
problem by itself.
COMMISSION SUGGESTED
I'VE suggest a commission to be ap-
pointed by the president of the United
States Gf he is willing to perform that
public service) to whom shall be referr-
ed all questions at issue between the re
spectlve comDanies and their own en-
ployes, whether they belong to union
or not. but decision of that commission-
er shall be accepted by us. The COM
mission to be constituted as follows:
" 'First-An officer IN the engineer
corps of either the military or naval
service of the United States.
{" Second-An expert mining engineer,
experienced in the mining of coal and
other minerals. and not ii any way con-
nected with coal mining properties, either
anthracite or bituminous.
: Third-One of the judges of the
United States courts of the eastern district
of Pennsylvania
-" Fourth-A man of prominence, emil
nent as a sociologist.
Z" 'Fifth-A man who by active participa-
, tion in mining and selling coal is familiar
with the physical and commercial features
of the business
MEN MUST RETURN TO WORK.
=" 1t being the understanding that inn
mediately upon the constitution of such
commission, in order that idIeness andnola-
production may cease instantly. the min
ers will return to work and cease all in
reference with the persecution of any
non-union men who are working or shall
hereafter work. The findings of this COM
mission shall fix the date when the same
shall be effective. and shall govern the
conditions of employment between the re-
spective companies and their employees for
a term of at least three years.
Z" George f. Baer, president Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron company, Le-
high and Wilkesbarre Coal company
Temple Iron company.
" e B. Thomas. chairman Pennsylva mia
Coal company. Hillside Coal and Iron
company.
w. H. Truesdale, president Delaware
and Lackawanna Railway company.
=" IT P Fowler president Scranton Coal
company and Elk Hill Coal and Iron CON-
pany-
".R NJ Oliphant. president Delaware
and Hudson company.
alfred Waters. president Lehigh Val
| ley Coal company
A note appended to the statement read:
THE schedule referred to in this state
it had not been completed
SUES GEN. HUGHES.