The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1902-10-18

I'LL hldSAtS iSSlOIs
1t is considered likely that the propo-
sition will go back to the operators with
request that the restrictions in the ap-
pointment of commission be withdrawn
IN order that the president may have a
free hand in choosing the commission
ers. -5.....
Portland, Oct. IS The Evening Tele-
gram says: The proposition of the coal
operators to agree to submit the disputes
between themselves and their employees
to commission to be appointed by Pres
ident Roosevelt, as announced in today's
dispatches, is looked upon with suspicion.
not to say with disfavor, by members of
the local organizations. They think it is
a shrewd move to gain the favor of the
public, and to induce the miners to re-
turn to work, pending the report of the
commission, which it is said, will be de-
1ayed indefinitely.
G. Y. Harry, president of the Oregon
State Federation OF Labor, expressed the
belief that President Mitchell, of the
mineworkers, would refuse. to entertain
the proposition in its present form. He
said:
"There is not a single representative
of the labor unions provided for in ap-
pointing the commission. The mineown-
ers have practically dictated whom they
wanted to serve and made the carrying
out of the arbitration idea dependent up
on those suggestions. Then again, the
commission may not be ready to make
their report for months. A navy officer,
for instance, may be suddenly called a.
way and they would have to wait for his
return. Then the principal point of con-
tention in the whole controversy, the re-
cognition of the union, is sidetraeked en-
tirely. They say that each district or
colliery shall settle its own differences in
its own way, which is an attempt to
break the solidity of.the forces. It looks
to me as if it were a move to get the men
back to work until after election.
''To my way of thinking, the operators
have another object in view. They are
getting alarmed at the turn of public O.
pinion in favor of the miners. They see
that the country has become electrified
with the spirit of giving great amounts of
money for the benefit of the strikers.
They must if possible, stop this wave of
financial assistance which has set in from
the furthermost parts of the United
States, and the best way in which to ac-
comp1ish this purpose is to agree to the
appointment of the commission. If the
president follows the suggestions of the
operators as outlined, the commission
will be handicapped from the start. If
the mineworkers refuse to consent to the
proposed plan, then they will attempt to
shift the blame onto the shoulders of the
strike leaders. I do not believe Presi-
dent Mitchell will agree to it in its pres.
ent form.''
Although the strike condition has TAX
en- On a somewhat different phase today,
the plans for raising money for the as
sistance of the miners, already under
way, will be carried out in the main.
George L. Baker has promised to give a
six-nights benefit in Bakers Theater,
commencing next week. The contribu-
tions will be made jointly by himself
and the Neill Stock Company. The
members of the labor unions are to
sell tickets. Mr.. Baker was asked today
if he would give the benefit just the same
if the strike should be declared off in the
meantime.
"They need the money, don't they !?
well the show will go on just as advertis-
ed, - said he.
The committee of presidents, appoint
ed to canvass the citizens, met last night
and divided the city into districts. Each
member is to be supplied with card,
bearing the endorsement of President