The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-11-22
NEW TURN IN INQUIRY
Miners and Operators to
Attempt to Adjust Their
Differences Outside
the Commission.
OBJECT, ,AQUlCK AGREEMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT SOMEWHAT OF
A SENSATION.

Most of the Large Companies Have
Already Agreed Is the New Plan and
the Remainder Are Fully Expected to
Tho Miners Give Assent-PropOsttiOn
Probably Came from tho Operators
Commission to Aid Both Sides by Con.
ciIiatory OGices-Basis of Negotiations
aTen Per Cent. Increase in Wages,
Nine- Hour Day and Trade A greemenh.
Scranton, Pa, Nov. 21.-The mine
workers, through their representatives.
have agreed with the mine owners to
attempt to adjust the differences exist
ing between them outside the anthra-
cite coal commission. The proposition
was made on compromise basis, and
negotiations, it is expected, will be en-
tered upon at once, with reasonable
hope of settlement with the aid of the
arbitrators.
The rough proposition, which is to
per cent. increase in wages, nine-hour
day and trade agreements between the
miners and the companies by whom
they are employed. The only one of
the four demands not touched upon is
that of weighing of coal by the legal
ton.
While both sides have expressed
Willingness to settle their differences
among themselves. it is not to be con-
strued that it carries with it the ac-
ceptance of the terms proposed These
terms are mentioned only as a basis, 1t
is understood, from which settlement
is to be effected. 1t is possible that the
foundation already 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
commissioners, who in the meantime
will act as sort of board of concili-
alton rather than as board of arbitra-
ton.
Few persons were aware than an at
tempt would be made at an outside
settlement until it was practically so
intimated by Judge Gray, the chairman
of the commission, who read a careful
ly prepared worded announcement to-
day from the bench. The move, one of
the most important in the whole his
tory of the coal strike, created SEN
sation when it became known. The
surprise was all the greater when it
will be remembered that numerous per-
sons, from the president of the United
States down, from many organizations,
from the National Civic Federation, to
the small boards Of trade of the mining
towns, failed to bring the two parties
together. 1t is said it was all brought
about by both sides seeing that the pro-
ceedings before the commission would
be interminable.
It cannot be stated officially which
party made the proposition first. The
attorneys for both sides are averse to
talking, but those who do say anything
differ in their statements An attorney
for one of the railroads said it came
from the miners side, while on lawyer
for the miners said 1t came from the
operators. Another representative Of
the miners said it was Spontaneous"
proposition.
1t is generally believed, however, that
the operators were the first to make the
carried on such brilliant cross-exam-
ination of President Mitchell, is given
credit for bringing about the present
situation. He went to New York after
he finished with Mr.. Mitchell and had
conference with certain persons con-
nected with the coal industry, among
them, it is reported, J. Pierpont Nor
gan. He was in New York to-day 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 subject did not directly
come up in the public hearing to-day,
and the adjournment proposition was
made, ostensibly to permit both sides to
complete their work of preparing docu-
mentary evidence. Clarence 8. Darrow,
of Chicago one of Mr. Mitchells attor-
neys, brought the matter out when near
the close of to-day's session he suggest
ed that the miners be given little
more time to prepare their evidence.
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 want
ed to carefully examine the company
books, and this, too, would take consid-
cradle time.
While Mr.. Darrow was saying this the
commissioners were all attention and no
one outside of them and few repre-
sentatives on each side of the case
knew what was coming. Judge Gray,
in reply to Mr. Darrow said that the
commission would be glad to cooperate
in bringing about the accomplishment
of that end.
1--WE have been aware for some time"
he said, that while the testimony
that has been adduced has been very in
teresting, 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 controver-
sy."
Z