Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-10-16
END OF GREAT
STRIKE AT HAND
Operators Agree to Appoint
ment of Commission
j. p. Morgan Takes the News
to the President First
Mitchell Silent but PrOtraCt=
ed Struggle Seems Over

Washington Oct. 14-By authority
of j. 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 coal-carry-
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
panies operating mines and miners
employed, and the declaration that
possibly 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 say, 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
avowals of Mitchell, and say cit 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
nit the questions between them and
their wOrlmen 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
safety and without personal insult or
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 Off he is willing to per-
form that public service) 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 ac-
copied 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 bitumin-
Gus; a Judge of the United States
court of the eastern district of Penn
sylvania, a man of prominence, emf
nent as a sociolOgist. and a man who
by active participation in the mining
and selling OF coal is familiar with
the physical and commercial features
of the business.
1T being the understanding that i'm
mediately upon the constitution Of
such commission. in order that Idle
ness and non-production may cease
instantly, the miners will return to
work and cease all interference with
and persecution Of any non-union men
who are working or shall hereafter
work. The findings of this commits
sion shall fix the date when the same
shall be effective and shall govern
the conditions of employment between
the respective companies and their
employees for term of at least three
years.
While no official statement was
made at the while house after the Op-
orators address was made public the
opinion was expressed that the wav
now is open for a complete settlement
of the strike and that the mines would
soon be in operation once more
The proposition of the operators
was the result of the visit of Root tc
New York and his conference with
Morgan Saturday. Morgan at that
time expressed keen interest in the
situation and desire to bring abou
an adjustment if possible. Following
this talk with Root, there was a con
ference in New York yesterday a
which the proposition of the operator.
was agreed to and Morgan was dele
gated to bring it to the president. il