Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-08-18
PEACE PLANS
NEARLY READY
Strike Settlement May Be
Announced This Week.
Basis of Agreement Is Ac-
ceptabIe to the Interested
Parties--DetaiIs Are Now
Receiving Attention.

Receiving Attention.
The Tribune announced on August s
that rumors from authoritive sources in
dicated a settlement Of the strike before
September /, and on Monday last posi-
tive assurances were given our readers
that "the end Of the strike is in sight"
and that 1.-THE operators are preparing
to make as dgnified a settlement as is
possible under the circumstances"
Because the Tribune refused to dis
close its authority for the welcome news
contained In its statements, there were
some in the miners ranks and among
business people who doubted the an
nouncements. Agents OF the operators
referred to the metropolitan papers,
which gave no. reports Of settlement
talk until today, as proof that the Tri-
bune's news was not authentic.
The information furnished to the
readers of this paper was correct, how
ever, and the press OF the entire state is
filed this morning with dispatches con-
cerning a settlement.
The plans for the ending of the strike,
though well under way, involve as yet
only the general points of the struggle,
but satisfactory arrangement for the
resumption OF work has been made by
representatives of the miners and repre-
sen ntatiyas of he onprators
This arrangement is in the form of
two propositions-one of which is a
shorter workday at the same rates of
wages as are now paid, the other is a
fiat increase Of wages with no reduction
In the daily working hours. Both
propositions provide for the re-instate-
ment of all mine workers, who remain
on strike until the plan is ratified, to
the positions held by them on May 10.
There are number of minor details
and MISUNDERSTANDING which must be
adjusted before the plan will be ready
to present to the strikers and the public.
Some Of these details are extremely
complicated and may postpone the final
settlement to a date beyond that now
expected, but If the same spirit of fair
ness and regard for one another's rights
shown so far by the representatives of
these difficulties in bringing peace in
the anthracite region will be overcome.
The operators will first pass upon the
settlement plan and notwithstanding
the present belligerent attitude of a few
OF their leaders the agreement to be
arrived at will! receive their approval.
The miners will then be offered the
plan and a convention of the United
Mine Workers will be called to accept
or reject the operators offer to return to
work.
In the meantime, the strikers must
not show any disposition to yield until
the present negotiations are completed.
There is less excuse for returning to
work now than at any time since the
strike began. The mine workers are on
the eve of victory the completeness of
which cannot be told now, and to reap
the full benefits of their brave fight the
struggle must be fought as determnedly
this week and perhaps next week as
during the past fourteen weeks.
The officials OF the union last week
received more financial aid than during
any previous week since assistance be-
gan to come to the miners. District z
on Saturday received its share of the
weeks contributions and the money will
be allotted to the several local unions
this week.
AT the present rate of receipts, not
considering the assessments from the
bituminous miners, which will not reach
here until the latter part of this week,
the miners and their families can be
maintained for an indefinite period.