The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-11-26
COAL STRIKE SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT

SCiiip& hstt1 DC kssce0O SV Ho
just the Differences Out
side the Anthracite
Coal Strike CON-
mission.
Scranton, Pa, November 21.-The
Mine Workers, through their repre-
sentatiyes, have agreed with the mine
owners to attempt to adjust the differ
ences existing between them outside
the anthracite coal strike commission.
The proposition was made on COM
promise basis and negotiations, it is
expected, viii be at once entered upon,
with reasonable hope Of settlement
with the aid of the arbitrators. The
rough proposition which is to form
the basis Of negotiations is 10 per
cent increase in wages, nine-hour
day.. and trade agreements between the
miners and the company by whom
they are employed. The only one of
the four demands not touched upon is
that of the weighing of coal by the
legal ton. While both sides have ex-
pressed the willingness to settle their
differences among themselves, it is
not to be construed that it carries
with it the acceptance OF the terms
proposed. They are mentioned only
as q basis, it is understood, from
which a settlement is to be effected.
It is possible that the foundation al
ready laid can be wrecked by either
party holding out too strongly against
some question and thus leave the
whole matter in the hands of the COM
missioners, who, in the meantime,
will act as sort of board Of concilia
tion rather than as a board of arbiSra-
tion.
Few persons were aware that an at
tempt would be made at an outside
settlement until it was practically so
intimated by Jduge Gray, the chair
man Of the commission, who read
carefully prepared announcement from
the bench. The move, one of the
most Important in the whole history
of the coal strike, created a mild
seGation when it became known. The
surprise was ali the greater when it will
be remembered that numerous persons,
from the President of the United
States down, and that many organiza-
tion, from the National Civic Fedora
ttion to the small boards of trade Of the
mining towns, failed to bring the two
parties together. It is said it was all
brought about by both sides seeing
that the proceedings before the COM
mission would be- interminable and
that in the intermingling of the
lawyers for both sides the outside
agreement proposition was broached
and taken up.
1t cannot be officially stated which
party made the proposition first. The
attorneys for both sides are averse to
talking, but those who were inclined
to say something differ in their state
ments. An attorney for one Of the rail
roads said it came from the miners
side, while one lawyer for the miners
said it came from the operators. An-
other representative Of the miners said
IL was a Spontaneous proposition.
It is generally believed, however, that
the operators were the hfst to
make the proposition. Wayne Mac
Veagh, who carried on such brilliant
cross ss-examination of President Nit
chell, is given credit for bringing
about the present situation. He went
to New York after he finished with
DIR. Mitchell and had conference
with certain persons connected with
the coal industry, among them, it is
reported, j. Pierpont Morgan. He
was in New York today in connection
with the matter.
The commissioners were informed of
the new turn Of affairs last night and
acquiesced in the proposed arrange
ment. The public hearing today, and
the adjournment proposition was made
ostenisbly to permit both sides to COM
plete their work of preparing documen-
tary evidence. Clarence S. Darrow,
Of Chicago, one of Mr. Mitchell's at
torneys, brought the matter on when,
near the close of today's session, ne
suggested that the miners be given
little more time to prepare their evi-
dence. The miners wanted to present
the due bills or wage statements Of
thousands Of miners, running back for
several years, and they found that
the task of presenting them in a
proper manner was a stupendous one.
They also wanted to carefully ex-
anime the company books and this,
too, would take considerable time.
While Mr.. Darrow was saying this
the commissioners we're all attention
and no one outside of them and a few
representatives on each side of the case
knew what was coming. Judge Gray,
in reply to Mr.. Darrow, said that the
commission would be very glad to
cooperate in bringing about the accom-
plishment of that end. eve have
been aware for some time," he said,
tthas whie the testimony that has
been adduced has been very interest
ing, and will not say that it has not
been Of value, still it has not yet
borne directly upon the points at issue
between the parties to this contro-
versy."
After delivering this, the chairman
read the announcement, which has been
prepared by the commission in ad-
vance. It was as follows:
''Acceding to the suggestion Just
made by counsel, that an interval of
time be taken for the preparation of