The Canton times., 1902-11-28
THEY'RE GETTING TOGETHER
The Owners and Workers May Come to an
Understanding Outside of
the Commission.

Scranton, Pa, Nov 22.-Ihe MIN
workers, through their representa-
tives, have agreed with the mine own
ers 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 i
expected, will be at once entered up
on, with a reasonable hope of settle
ment, with the aid of the arbitrators
The rough proposition, which is tc
form the basis of negotiations, is q
ten-per-cent. increase in wages nine
hour day, and trade agreements be-
| tween the miners and the company by
which 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 expressed willingness to settle
their difference among themselves, it
is not to be construed that it carries
with it the acceptance of the terms
proposed. They are mentioned only
as basis, it is understood, from
which settlement is to be effected.
1t 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
commissioners, who, in the meantime,
will act as a sort of board of con-
cilation rather than as board of ar
bitration.
Few persons were aware than an at
tempt would be made at an outside
settlement until it was practically SO
intimated byJudge Gray, the chairman
of the commission. who read care
fully-prepared announcement from
the "bench."
The move, one of the most import
ant in the whole history of the coal
strike, created a mild sensation when
1t became known. The surprise was
all the greater from the fact that nu-
merous persons, from the president |
Of the United States down, and many |
from the National Civic |
Federation to the small boards of |
trade of the mining towns had failed |
to bring the rwo parties together. 1t |
is said it was all brought about by
both sides seeing that the proceedings
before the commission would be in
and in the intermingling
of the lawyers for both sides the out
side agreement proposition was
1roached and taken up.
1t can not be officially stated which
oarty made the proposition first. The
lttorneys for both sides are averse
o talking, but those who were in
lined to say something differ in their
statements. An attorney for one of
awyer for the miners said it came
rom the operators. Another repre-
entative of the miners said it was a
spontaneous" proposition. 1t is gem
rally believed, however, that the op-
rators We're the first to make the
proposition. Wayne MacVeagh, who
arried on such brilliant cross-ex-
of President Mitchell. is
lven credit for bringing about the
resent situation. He went to New
,orlS after he finished with Mr.. Nit
hell and had conference with GER
ain persons connected with the COM
lerclal industry, among them, it is ,
eported, j. P. Morgan.
1t was learned that all the large {
have not yet assented to ,
he proposed outside agreement. but ]
nat in all probability they will con- s
ent and continue to work as a unit,
$ they did during the strike. The !
& Reading Coal and Iron '
o., it is understood, has not vet been
card from on the matter. Those t
hich are said to be in the agreement S
theme are the Delaware & Hudson s
nd the Erie Co, which controls the t
ennsylvania Coal Co., and the Hill +
de Coal and Iron Co. The attorneys t
II some of the other companies are d
ourly expecting to hear from the /
Fad officials of the corporations they Il
present. i