The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-24
JUDGE CRAY TALKS
 ABOUT THE AWARD Operator ]. C. Maben Also Ex- presses Himself on Subject THE MINERS ARE REJOICING Judge Gray Thinks Great Good VIII Result from Arbitration--opera-
 tors Agreed to Advance
 Rathhr Than g Hours
THE MINERS ARE REJOICING

Judge George Gray and pr. Charles P. Neill will leave this morning for Wash ington, where they will arrive tomorrow.
 Judge Gray spent yesterday very qui- etly at the Hillman, resting after his two weeks of hard work as chairman of the arbitration commission to settle the con- troversy between the miners and opera tors. He said he did not believe that he would ever again assume the role of um- pre in an arbitration of this kind, as the requirements of the position involved a too strenuous life for the time being. He However believed that great good would result from the sessions just held.
 More for Good.
 He thought, too that these public hear ings in which both sides to an economic controversy take the whole community into their condolences. invariably made for the general good. Both sides. he sug- gested. were bound to learn many things and the people at large obtained a great fund of information on which to base that matured second thought-that calm judgment, which is always, in great ques- tions, the court of last resort.
 Another good result, the judge said, is that it teaches both sides that they must give and take. As an example he cited the matter of the award just made.
 He said that on Saturday the issue was raised as to whether the miners should be given an advance of 2h cents or a nine hour work day. It had been decided that one of the other should be awarded and it was left to the two arbi- trators representing the operators to state which should be given They de- cided in favor of granting the 21s cents advance and leaving the question of a limited hour work day as it is.
 How Award Was Received.
 There was great rejoicing in the camps of the miners. They felt that they had obtained more equitable adjustment Of the wage scale and contract than had heretofore existed and also were glad that matters had settled down and would not be disturbed again for few months at least.
 The operators did not receive the re- ward enthusiastically. Many of them felt that all the substantial fruits of the arbitration had gene to the miners, and that there was a possibility of great hardship resulting from the carrying out of some of the findings
 The general feeling among them is well expressed perhaps. in the statement of J. c. Maben, president of the Sloss- -Shef- field Steel and Iron company, who said last night: q was not surprised at the award. as it was only what I had ex- pected. The miners received about all they asked for. and the operators prac- tically nothing. That is the usual result of arbitration, and was to be looked for. It is one-sided affair."
 Outsiders Views.
 Judge William Vaughan. ex-United States district attorney. said: T believe in arbitration, and think that great ad- vance has been made when the two par ties to such a dispute as that between the miners and operators will get to- gether and arbitrate their differences in- stead of resorting to harsher methods for me purpose or IOrc1nS one Slue or tne other to give up. This arbitration with it's public sessions has been of the great est possible value as an educational agent
 Without speaking of the merits of the decision per SC, as I am not trying to say which side is right. want 10 empha- size the statement that the good results of this arbitration will be great and last ing in the community. People will be glad to invest their money in a communi- ty where capital and labor have set a precedent of arbitration in the settle ment of their disputes"
 One interesting phase of the increase in wages for the United Mine workers in this district Is that its effects will reach over into Walker county. Although few of the miners employed there belong to the United Mine Workers of America, 1t will be necessary to advance their wages in order to put them on an equality with the union men of Jefferson county. If that were not done. many of the men would leave and come where they could get more pay What they will do as to the semi-monthly pay day remains to be seen.