New-York tribune., 1906-04-07
MR. MLrcHELL.S pRopoxAL.

Mr. MitchelIs arbitration offer seems fitted to
clear the way for a peaceful settlement of the
differences between the hard coal operators and
the hard coal miners. The operators in their
statement issued after Thursdays conference
speak of this oiler as IAN astutely drawn prop
osition." This commendation is fully deserved;
for Mr.. Mitchell has framed Il peace protocol
which the mine owners will find il embarrassing
10 reject though it may need to be modified to
some slight extent and especially i'm respect TO
the duration of a resulting agreement. The pro
posed term of two years would end AT an un-
fortunate time
Mr. Mitchell is willing TO submit the miners
ease without reserve TO tribunal already hypo-
thetically Endorsed by the operators. In pre-
vious negotiations the operators have proposed
a renewal of the provisions of the award made
in 1903 10y President Rooseyelts arbitration
board. They have contended that tie boards
Judgment was reached after exhaustive inquiry
and in spirit of absolute impartiality and
that its terms We're reasonable and equitable.
The miners have rejoined that the award was
based on conditions which existed three years
ago. but which have since undergone certain
Modification. Yet admitting that in this they
may be self deceived they are willing TO
call in practically the same experts 10 review the
situation They are ready 10 use in settling the
dispute over the modification of the award The
machinery Of mediation created by the 190203
board of arbitration. The standing mediation
committee composed of three representatives
of the mine owners (Wiliam l. Connell y ID.
Warriner and W. J. Richards) and three dis
trict presidents of the miners union tThOmas
ID. Nichols W. H. Detry and John Fahy), would
be appealed to. and as a chairman or umpire
Judge George Gray chairman of the national
arbitration board. would serve. or. being unable
10 serve. would designate substitute Prac-
tically. therefore the award of 1903 would be
re-eXamined by its authors and executors ana
the general conclusions embodied IN that award
would in no way be departed from
In their statement issued on Thursday the
operators showed their reluctance 10 submit
10 arbitration the principle of the open shop
and the demand of the union that the owners
act as its agents in the collection of union dues
through the check OFF, system of bookkeep-
ing II WAS also pointed out that the opera
tors had already positively refused 10 arbi-
trate the CLOSED shop question The mine
owners might properly decline 10 put in peril
principles like the open shop" which they hold
10 bc of paramount importance in the man
agement Of their business. But in an arbitra-
ton such Mr.. Mitchell suggests no princi-
pie will be put in peril. The arbitration board
of l902-J3. OF which Judge Gray was chair
man. emphaticaly sustained the open shop"
theory. and il is absurd 20 think that Judge
Gray or any substitute he might name would
reverse that position. Mr. Mitchell in fact. 10y
the very terms of his offer SurrenderS the de-
mands which the operators hold to be eSpe
cially obnoxious. He expects no victory for
closed shop" the check off" system or even
the eight hour day. But he probably hopes on
a rehearing TO obtain some slight concessions
in wages and change in the method of meas
uring coal by the car instead of by weight
a method still bitterly objected TO 10y the miners
IL must be admitted that this programme is
one Of moderation and that Mr. Mitchell'S latest
offer is eminently pacific. The operators can
hardly afford 10 let themselves be Outdone in
good temper and reasOnableneSS