Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-26

TO present them to the operators before
April l. when the agreement arranged by
President Roosevelt's commission, In 1903,
expires.
The Real Point at Issue.
The conditions are quite complicated, but
disinterested friends of the miners maintain
that the result hinges upon the manner in
which the demands are received and treated
by the operators.
IF the operators will agree to receive a
committee and discuss affairs with them
as equals, man to man, there will be no
difficulty" said gentleman whose business
requires him to keep on confidential terms
with the union leaders; but If the opera
tors turn their backs upon the delegation, or
endeavor to treat them as interiors, or deny
their right to interfere with ma tiers which
concern the welfare of their fellow-mem-
bers of the union, trouble Is certain. The
miners do not expect to receive the recog
milton of the union that they demand; they
do not expect that the operators will sit
down with the officials of the union and ar
range scale of rates and code of regula-
lions with them, although that is the gist
of their demands. Ninety-five per cent of
them are perfectly satisfied with the present
situation, but they conceive that the vindi-
cation of their manhood and the assertion
or their dignity as officials of an organi-
zation of more than 100000 members re-
qGires them to meet the operators on equal
terms, man to man. and that the operators
and respect for their committee that would
be shown to committee from their GUS
toners or their associates in business 1t
Is therefore more question of social recog-
milton than anything else, and If that
recognition is granted. If the operators will
receive committee and discuss things
with them equals, II will be PERFECTLY
easy to renew the existing arrangement But
III the operators are arrogant and dispute
the right of the men to send committees
to them. the temper of the unions will be
aroused and strike is certain"
Miners After Baer.
There seems to be an impression among
the miners that President Baer of the Read
Ing railroad is the only operator of i'm
portabce who will refuse to meet the men
In the spirit I have described and it is
Baer they are after. He controls at least
40 per cent OF the anthracite output. either
directly or indirectly. or within 10 per cent
as much as all the rest of the operators
combined. In that position and with that
power he Is recognized as the most uncom-
promising enemy of the unions. Therefore
IL they can bring Baer to his knees as IL
were, and compel him to meet a delegation
from the unions on equal footing It will
be sufficient triumph. and they Will be
willing to renew the compromise agreement
arranged by the Roosevelt commission. for
another three years.
The Agreement Satisfactory.
Inc result OF the work OF the Roosevelt
commission, am told on every side, is emil
nently satisfactory to every person in the
coal regions except Mr.. Baer and John
Markle-and the latter does not count
Every other operator, no matter what his
attitude may have been at the beginning is
now willing to admit the wisdom of Presi-
dent Roosevelts intervention and the fair
ness OF the commission presided over by
Judge Gray. The compromise which they
arranged has produced almost ideal
dillon of affairs throughout the entire an
thrdctte region; as universally satisfactory
as any arrangement could possibly be.
everybody Is prosperous; every man who
Is willing to work can make good wages !;
everything is running smoothly between the
operators and the miners and the operators
are getting good prices for their coal-at
the expense OF the public.
The miners gained; ID A 10 per cent ad-
vance In their wages; (2) a reduction of
from ten to nine hours per day; C0 the
abolition OF the practice of paying in store
orders; now getting their pay in cash and
trading where they please: ca a concilia-
ton board composed of three superintend-
ents and three miners selected by the
unions, for the settlement of all disputes
There are no longer local troubles or petty
causes of irritation. There are no disputes
between employers and individuals, or en-
ployerS ana unions. Every difference is
submitted to the Cancellation board and its
decisions have been satisfactory, generally
speaking. In every case. They have been
OotQItilg aCCtFltu DOln DY the operators
and the men. and In nearly every instance
have been unanimous. Where the repre-
sentltives of the oprators and those of the
miners have not been able to agree they
have called In an umpire-usually Judge
Gray Of Delaware Carroll ID. Wright
formerly commissioner of labor and now
president of Clark University at Worcester.
Mass. Everybody l have talked with ad-
mits that the judgment of the umpires have.
without exception, been fair and just. 1t
Is also universally admitted that the con-
citation plan has promoted mutual respect
and confidence. There has never been q
better feeling between the operators and
their employees.
The effect upon the public has been an ad-
vance in the price OF coal. but has stimu-
lated confidence in the practicability of ar
bitration as a method of settling disputes,
! do not believe there has ever been a more
notable Illustration of the advantages of
the arbitration plan.
Miners Apparently Prosperous.
There is no difference OF opinion as to the
advance of wages. 1t was made entirely at
the expense of the public, and not at the
expense of the operators or the transporta-
ton companies. The freight charges and
the profits of the mine owners are just as
high, or higher, than they ever were. and
the difference In wages is paid by you and
me and everybody who burns hard coal. All
the mining towns look prosperous. The
workmen are well dressed; their wives and
children have plenty TO eat and to wear;
many houses have lace curtains in the win
cows, Brussels carpets on the floors ard
pianos In the parlors Their self-respect
has increased with their material improve
ment.
There Is however a difference Of opinion
as TO the moral benefits of reducing the
working hours. The number of saloons in
the anthracite districts has increased during
the past two years very considerably. The
nusnber of licenses to sell liquor. / am in
formed, was 10 per cent greater during the