Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-10-16

Washington, Oct. 14-By authority
of ]. Pierpont Morgan, who, with his
partner, Robert Bacon, and Secretary
Root. were in conference with Presi-
dent Roosevelt last night a statement
was given out by Secretary Cortelyou
in which the presidents of coalcarry-
ing railroads and mine operators pro
pose a commission of five persons to
adjust the differences and settle the
coal strike in the anthracite coal
fields. The proposition is believed by
the administration to be satisfactory
to the miners. as it covers the propo-
sition made by Mitchell with addition
al conditions which it is believed the
miners will accept
The statement sets forth the desire
of the operators to have their position
understood. Then follows a state
ment respecting the number of com
panies operating mines and miners
employed, and the declaration that
'possibIy one half belong to the Unit
ed Mine Workers." The organizing of
the miners union is briefly reviewed,
leading up to the ordering of the
strike last May. Since then, the oper-
ators saw, 1000 to 10000 men not
members Of the union have been at
work, and that many more who wished
to work were prevented by violence
and intimidation. destruction of prop
erty and fear of death. They charge
that this reign of terror has continued
and increased Notwithstanding the dis
avowaIs of Mitchell, and say 1T is
clear he either cannot or will not
prevent it." The operators say the
wages paid are fair and full; that
profits have been small. They say
| they have never been unwilling to sub
init the questions between them and
their workmen to any fair tribunal,
but say they are not willing to enter
into arbitration with the mine work
ers union nor 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 union or not, the
right and opportunity to work in
inC111t
bodily harm to themselves or their
families"
The operators then refer to the con
ference October 3, and repeat the
proposition made them. They say
they realize that the urgent public
need of coal and the apprehension of
an inadequate supply for the ap
preaching winter calls for an earnest
effort to reach a practical conclusion"
which will result in increased produc-
ton. The statement concludes
I'VE suggest a commission to be
appointed by the president of the
United States (if he is willing to per
form that public seryice) to whom
shall be referred all questions at issue
between the respective companies and
their own employees, whether they be
long to the union or not but the deci-
sion of that commission shall be &C
cepted by us. The commission to be
| constituted as follows:
An officer in the engineer corps of
either the military or naval service of
the United States, an expert mining
engineer, experienced in mining coal
and other minerals and not in any way
connected with the coal mining prop
critics. either anthracite or bttumin
Gus, a Judge of the United States
court of the eastern district OF Penn
sylvania, a man of prominence, emf
nent as a socioIogist and a man who
by active participation in the mining
and selling Of coal is familiar with
he physical and commercial features
If the business.
1T being the understanding that i'm
nediately upon the constitution OF
such commission in order that idle
less and uon-production may cease
instantly the miners will return 70
york and cease all interference with
md persecution of any non-union men
Who are working or shall hereafter
york. The findings Of this commits
ion shall fix the date when the same
hall be effective, and shall govern
he conditions Of employment between
be respective companies and their
mployes for a term Of at least three
ears"
While no official statement was
made at the while house after the OPP