Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-26

men in New York it had been decided not
to grant an interview to the miners.
The announcement. coming after an all
day conference between Mr. MacVesgh and
Mr. Mitchell surprised everyone
wayne MacVeaEh Surprised.
From a reliable source it is learned that
the proposition that the operators meet Mr..
Mitchell on Friday was made at the in
stance Of Mr Macvesgh, who was no less
surprised than Mr. Mitchell at the turn
affairs took later.
From statements made by Mr.. Darrow
early in tie day the impression had spread
that a complete agreement would be ef-
fected at todsy's conference, but when the
meeting broke up. Mr. Darrow read to the
newspaper men a statement which made
it clear that no final agreement had been
reached and that no further conference
was likely.
Mr. Mitchell. when shown the dispatch
announcing the end, smiling. said he had
not asked for the conference, but accepted
an offer TO meet the operators.
Mr.. Darrow and Mr.. Lloyd, however,
were outspoken regarding the action Of
the operators.
Mr.. Darrow said he would return at once
TO Scranton and on Tuesday would appear
before the commission ready to 90 on with
the bearing.
Mr.. Lloyd said:
These same men who only last week
wired the commission their assent TO the
general provisions Of the tentative agree
ment, upon the strength of which the com
mission adjourned for a. week, completely
reverse their former action and call II all
on We are satisfied to go before the COM
mission and continue the hearing.
Before leaving Scranton. it was learned
today, the commission received a united
telegram from the operators, asserting TO
the provisions Of the tentative agreement
which had been prepared at the confer
ence there.
Independents make Statement.
NEW YORK, Nov. 25.-The independent
/ coal operators. at a meeting here today,
protested to the coal-carrying railroads
against the proposed plan to settle differ
ences with the mine workers union.
One Of the reasons advanced by the inde-
pendent operators is that such a settle
ment upon the basis suggested would -ior-
ever establish the power and perpetuate the
injustice perpetrsted by the United Mine
| Workers"
This afternoon o. D. Simpson, repre-
senting the independent operators. gave
out a statement addressed to Messrs. Baer,
! Thomas. Truesdale. olyphant. Fowler and
/ Walter, in which they vigorously protest
against the proposed plan TO settle the
/ questions now before the anthracite coal
strike commission for the following rea-
sons:
!. We believe that such a settlement al
| this time and upon the basis suggested
| would forever establish the power and
perpetlate the injustice perpetuated by the
J United Mine Workers.
?. That such settlement would be. in the
! eyes of the public, a confession that we
have heretofore been guilty OF all the Of
fenses charged against US by the said
mine workers.
| g That we have and believe that YOU
| have such a perfect and complete defense
to the allegations made by the complain
Z money awards the commissions would rem
I der. would be far less than the amount
that IL is understood we are 10 conced'
} the miners and their laborers
/ 4 That aside from any money consider
ations this commission, composed as We
believe, Of men that are absolutely fair
good judgment in their findings will maki
such declarations as will for many year.
put a ban upon unla awful practices, op
preston Of nonunion men, unjustihable de
I mands and other grievances that we hav,
been suffering under since 1900 when tn
II, on the other hand, this settlement b,
made now when not single witness hal
il viii De an absolute and distinct surren
der TO the miners union and the trouble
above referred TO will not only be con
tin1ed, but so magnifed as 10 be absolutel!
4 unbeara bic.
The hearings before the anthracite cos
strike commission present the frst oppor
tunity that the coal operators have eve
had Of presenting their case before tn
general public, who are really an imp0rtan
these these proceedings are T published ali IT, owe
the United States. and IL is a duty that W
owe to ourselves as well as 10 them 4
] Ia he -
| charges Of injustice, barbsriiy and eNtor
;icn are absolutely unfounded; all of whicl
the individual operators at least propos
10 do.
The case as presented already shows sucl
weakness that we believe they are almos
disheartened when these suggestions 10
a compromise were made.
| We believe that any surrender on on
part, which would be what this compromis
would amount to, would be far the mos
serious mistake ever made in the anthra
cite coal business
The above statement is signed by twenty
ave independent coal companies.
In the afternoon the large and small
operators held joint conference, at whic
this manifesto was discussed.
During the conference q request was re
ceived from Washington asking that bot
the independent operators and the railroa
representatives. report 20 meet John Mitch
ell and his associates on Friday.
Mr.. BAer was instructed to make the fol
! lowing answer:
| The conditions are such THAI no substaT
| tial progress toward an adjustment can
made by the suggested meeting. The ger
| eral judgment OF the operators Is that
will be best for the present 10 go on wit
the hearing
Mitchell win Not Talk.
PHILADELPHIA. Nov. 25.-Mr. Mitchell
accompanied by c. H. DsrroW and II. /
Lloyd, arrived here tonight.
Mr.. Mitchell Was questioned eoneernin
the status OF the settlement He said;
Counsel for the operators and some
. the opera tors had laid before the presiden
| OF the railroad companies tentative prol