Evening journal., 1903-07-30
Delaware Jurist Sacri-
fees Vacation to Settle
Labor Dispute Between
Miners and Operators
in Alabama
Will Leave Here on Au-
gust s to Reach Bir-
mingham to attend the
Meeting Two Days
Later

Judge George Gray, of this city, decided
|aarly this morning to serve as the fifth
member OF the board Of arbitration TO set
10 the Alabama coal strike. The other
members Of the commission are Colonel
z. II. Pearson and Charles McCreery,
representing the mine owners, and Will
lam r. Fairly and Edward Finn, rep
4 3'eseltng the miners.
Visit Fruitful.
4 This decision was the result of a visit
paid TO him yesterday by the other four
nembers of the board, who urged him to
erve and pointed out that il would be a
reat benefit to the working people of Ala
)ama. 1t was rumored that President
Roosevelt had also written to Judge Gray
8 rgiag him to serve, but this was denied
& 'y the prominent jurist.
The judge admitted, however, that great
& pressure had been brought to bear to get
lin to consent to act.
He said he had decided to accept the
position under the stipulation that it
would not take longer than September l..
When the United States Court of Appeals
Its. lie said that he could not let this
s 3nterfere with the court work. One rea-
on ne gave for accepting was that 1t was
epresented to him il would be a. benefit
the working people of Alabama. The
y rouble between the miners and operators
very serious and everyone concerned
we're anxious ito have Judge Gray a mem
er Of the board
Other Members Notified.
Early tins morning Judge Gray tele-
honed to the other four members who
re now az Atlantic City that he would
erye. They We're an greatly pleased nnl
aid they We're glad they came east to sec
ne judge in PRISON.
Will Meet August 10.
TIL board viii hold its first session on
susust 1O and Judge Gray will leave fol
he South on the Eighth. He had hoped
set a brief vacation and needed resi-
ut by serving as a member Of the com.
nittee he Will have to abandon al
bought Of rest.
When the other members visited
udge Gray yesterday they placed mat
ars before him in such a light that ne
Jas compelled to consider it, although
G rather opposed accepting the posi-
on. They told him that no other man
the country would be as satisfactory
both parties concerned. He was told
nat the entire coal situation in Ala
anna depended upon him. The mine
perators are willing to open theil
hines at once to the men, and the
"A hiners. numbering between $1,000 and
0,OO0 men are willing to go to work
o-day both sides to solemnly agree
accept the deision Of the board il
udge Gray became the fifth member
" he opinion was also expressed thai
ne present strike and its attendant diff
culties would continue indefinitely il
Judge Gray did not agree TO act as &
lember of the board. The whole Goa
uation in Alabama was placed upor
ne shoulders of the Judge, and ther
e was requested to act.
The people of Alabama were espec'
llly anxious to have Judge Gray serve
lie had received many letters and tele
s rams from prominent men of tina
tate including the Governor, urgini
i'm to accept.
A dispatch received from Birmng
. am this morning said there was mucl
eioicing in the mining region whei
ae decision was made known.