"1 " I h WEEIOiY. COKVALLIS, BENTOH- COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1902. VOIi. XXXIX. NO. 43. rfcTA. I ConsoUdited Feb., 1899. GAZETTE. CORVALUS EVENTS OF THE DAY GATHERED FROM ALL PARTS OF THE TWO HEMISPHERES. Comprehensive Review of the Import ant Happenings of the Past Week, Presented in Condensed Form, Most Likely to Prove Interesting to Our Many Readers. An incendiary fire at Klamathon, Cat., caused a Iocs of (500,000. An American Las been placed in com mand of the Colombian gunboat Bogota. A lake steamer bound for Buffalo foundered during a heavy storm. Ten of the crew are missing. President Roosevelt is very anxions about the reply of the miners to the proposition of the operators. It is probable that Roosevelt will recommend a permanent tariff com mission in his next message to con gress. London ia much alarmed at what they fear is a move onthe part of J. P. Morgan to secure control of the London docks. At a meeting of the stockholders of the Commercial cable company, Clar ence Mac kay was elected as president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father. - Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, is very much opposed to the plan of the coal operators and thinks it should be turned down by the miners. A Toledo, Ohio, steel plant has closed down for want of coal. ' A French aerouant and his compan ion were dashed to death while experi menting with an airship at Paris. Belgium miners have gom on strike, claiming the trouble in the United States has raised the pi ice of coal and they ehould get some benefit. Sir Michael Herbert, the new British ambassador to the United States, has been received by President Roosevelt and has entered upon his duties. Ex-Queen Liliuokalani has lef Hon olulu on her way to visit the United States. It is believed that she intends to press her claims to the crown lands. i ' Dr. William Riddick Whitehead, one of the most distinguished physicians and surgeons in the West, died of heart disease at his home in Denver. He was 70 years of age. j Seventeen persons are under arrest at Indianapolis for robbing graves. It is believed the remains of at least 100 haon ot.nl pn. The Errand . r i - jury is inquiring into the matter. Mrs. Nation has resumed active op erations in Oklahoma. King Edward has returned to Eng land in better health than for years. A strike of mallhandlers and baggage men at the anion depot in St. Louis has caused considerable delay of the mails. The walls of a hotel at Jackson, Mich., collapsed while 13 men were at work on the roof, but none were even seriously injured. The 'strike of French coafminerB is assuming a seriousness equalled only by that in this country Numerous clashes between troops and strikers are reported. ' 'w.Sooratnrv nf KtAta Olnev. in an address, scored the coal oeprators. He says that for years they have defied the laws of Pennsylvania, which forbid common carriers to engage in mining. A report will soon be iasued b) the bureau of forestry showing the amount of timber destroyed by forest fires in the Northwest. By this means it is hoped to secure more protective legis lation. The crown prince of Siam has arrived in New York. The Q. A. R. will hold its next en campment at San Francisco. Foreign coal will be admitted free of duty while the miners' trouble con tinues. President Roosevelt has so far recov ered that he is able to go about on crutches. A Homestead, Pa., inventor, while tamnorarilv insane, murdered his mother, one brother and two sisters The coal operators have demanded of Roosevelt that he begin action against ti miners' union under the anti-trust law. Strikers at Geneva clashed with the troops and the hospitals are filled with wounded men from both sides. Many arrests have been made. To meet need of officers for the navy special midshipmen's examination will be held in November, fcacn en- tnr and representative has been asked to name one principal and five alter nates. There is enough coal on hand in the various public institutions of New York to run for two montns. French coal miners have voted trike. It is estimated that Ar t 162.000 miners in France, 60,000 of whom belong to the union. The transport Sherman has arrived at San Francisco from Manila. She has been sent to quarantine, as there wr several cases of cholera on board Jessie Morrison, who has been twice convicted of murder in Kansas, and who ia fighting for a new trial, ia oat on $10,000 bonds. ALL DEPENDS ON MITCHELL. Miners do not Favor. Proposition of Coal Operators Unfair, They Say. Wilkesbarre, Pa., Oct. 16. From a thorough canvass of the situation as it exists tonight there is every indication that the new arbitration plan proposed by the presidents of the coal compan ies for ending the miners' strike will not be accepted in its present form. There is a division of opinion among the strikers, but there is no doubt that a majority feel that the offer to have the president of the United States select an arbitration commission along the lines suggested by the operators is not fair, and that it unduly limits the board. The miners, it is safe to Bay, will abide by the advice of their na tional president, in whose judgment they have the utmost confidence. President Mitchell declines to say how he personally looks upon the prop osition, but tonight be gave to the press the following statement: "I fully appreciate with what anxiety the people of our country are awaiting the end of the coal strike. The coal operators have not addressed the Min ers' onion, or its officers, in making their public statement. It ia therefore impossible for me to state the attitude of the miners at this- time. I am now, as I have always been, deeply solicitous of the interests of the public and the welfarre of the mineworkers who have been on strike for the past five months. A formal statement defining of position and intentions will be issued just a? soon as we are in possession of the full meaning . of the proposition of the operators." The rank and file of the miners view the new proposition in different lights. Those who are opposed to accepting the new offer look upon the operators' lat est move as a counter proposition to Mr. Mitchell' offer to arbitrate made in the temporary White House at Wash ington. They compare the two offers and Dick out what tbev all agree to be I many flaws I A gnat many of the strikers think the proposition should be accepted, and that the miners should trust to Presi dent Roosevelt to do the best he can I under the conditions laid down by the ' coal-road presidents. There is still a third view held by miners, and that is to refuse to accept the plan proposed and make a counter I pioposition, embodying some of the suggestions contained in the operators' offer. One proposition suggested is that the operators, the miners and the president each select a numbei of men to act as a board.- ,Thia was msntioned by President Mitchell, but' he" would make no comment on it. HOT BATTLE WITH ROBBERS. Aged Men Killed Two Assailants, but were Badly Injured Themselves. Cleveland, O., Oct. 16. In a farm house two miles from the village of I Rochester, in Loraine county, a terrible ! battle was fought tonight between aged ' brothers named Meach and six desper ' ate robbers. As a result of the battle two of the robbers were shot to death, one probably fatally wounded, and two of the Meach brothers were badly beaten. There are three of the Meach broth ers, Loren, aged nearly 80 years ; John, about 70, and Jarvis, aged 65. The old men are said to be rich. While John was in the barn, he was sur rounded by three robbers and bound. Going to the house they knocked Jarvis Meach into insensibility. John Meach, worked himself loose from the bonds, howeer, and seizing a shotgun, cau tiously stole upon the three burglars who were working at the safe. He shot two of them to death and fatally wounded the third man. The three companions of the men, who were watch ing the house, realizing their danger, imniediatelv cot away. The robbers secured no money. The wounded robber refused to make any statement as to identity. WILSON fJOES TO GREECE. Spokane Man Transferred from Chile at a Loss of $3,500 In Salary. Washington, Oct. 16. Henry L. Wilson, of Spokane, minister, to Chile, has secured a European mission, but at a great sacrifice of salary. He gets similar post in Greece at $6,500 a year, while his present position pays $10, 000. This could not have been brought about had not the minister to Greece kindlv consented to retire, in order to make places for several people. Minister Francis was not particular about serving longer in Greece, and was willing to get out of the way in order to promote John B. Jackson, now first secretary of the embassy at iieriin. The pressure of Wilson's friends to get him a place in Europe, and tbe induce ment to Jackson to secure the Chilean mission, which is worth $3,500 more than that of Greece, brought about the change. Again, the Chilean mission has always been considered more im portant than Greece, and" Wilson's change, although brought about by great pressure, is not considered a pro motion. Strong Box Stolen. Victoria, B. C, Oct. 16. Informa. tion had bean received here that a box containing bank notes of the. value of $50,000 gold has been stolen from the sti-onc room of the China and Manila steamer Zafiro, on her last voyage from Hong Kong to Manila. The consign ment was signed for by one of the ship's officers, and prior to the vessel's arrival at Manila the strong room was opened only once, and that was to ad mita consignment of opium. NEWS OF OREGON ITFMS OF INTEREST FROM ALL PARTS OF THE STATE. Commercial and Financial Happenings of the Past Week Brief Review of tfaf Growth and Development of Various Industrie Throughout Oar Common wealth Latet Market Report. The atseesor's roll of Lincoln county 1136,854 over shows an increase of that of last year. The First National bank of Baker a United City has been designated States depository. The fruit fair at Hood River last week was in every respect the most suc cessful ever held. A Liberty, Marion county, hop grow er was offered 24 cents for his hops last Saturday, which he refused. The forest rangers in Southern Ore gon have been called in from fighting fire, there being no further need . of them. The rush for timber claims in Lake and Klamath counties continues. Many of the locators are coming from Eastern statse. William Darkis, a Southern Oregon pioneer, was found dead at his nome near Waldo last week. He came to this state in the early, 50s. The Astoria Fir Lumber Company, of Astoria, has filed articles of incorpora tion with a capital of $100,000. The company will install a sawmill plant at once. The hop market at Independence is practically stationary. There seems to be a decided opinion among the grow ers that the price will advance in a few weeks. A rich strike has ' been reported in the I. X. L. mine, in the Greenhorn district. The owners are confident that they have the making of a good paying mine. Mining by electricity will be put to thorough test by the Baisley-Elkhorn company, in eastern uregon. -an machinery will be run by electric power. If it should prove profitable, it is probable that quite - a number of other companies will put in plants, as fuel is one of the greatest items of. ex pense in operating mines in that section of the state. Prairie City suffered another severe firw, j whirf Atofe4 ig,OQO worth; of property. '" The Loewenberg-Going company has paid ite convict labor account for August, amounting to $1,251.50. Douglas county prune growers are beginning to ship the 1902 crop. The yield is 75 per cent cf the average, while the quality is first class. H. E. Brooks, a veteran newspaper man and editor from Amarillo, Texas, has bought into the RoseDurg Plain dealer with W. C. Connor. They will improve the mechanical equipment of the paper and a Sunday morning edi tion will be added. The crop of Italian prunes in Lane county is much lighter than for many years. The petite and silver prunes were not affected much by tbe bad weather, however, and are showing a good crop. Hon. A. R. Burbank, an honored and respected citizen of Lafayette, died in that city October 7. Deceased was born in 1817, and came to the Pacific Coast in 1849. but returned again to the East. In 1853 he came to Oregon and has since resided here. Two women tramps passed through Nevada, Mo., a few days ago, riding on the iron rods under a box car. David Auchard, who died in Helena, Montana, has left his immense estate to the Masonic fraternity to establish a Masonic home. PORTLAND MARKETS. Wheat Walla Walla, 63c; stem 66Kc; valley, 65o. Barley Feed, $20.00 per ton; blue- brew- ing, $21.00. Flour Best grade, 3.00 3.50; grah am, $2.853.20. Millstuffs Bran, $18.50 per ton; middlings, $23.50; shorts, $19.50; chop, $17. Oats No. 1 white, $l1.02K;gry. 95c$l per cental. Hay Timothy, $10(311; clover, $7.50; cheat, $8 per ten. Poultry Chickens, mixed, $3.50 25 ; per pound, 10c; hens, $44.75 per dozen; per ponnd, 11c; springs, $2.50 3 per dozen; fryers, $33.3o; broil ers, $22.50; ducks, $4.505 per doz en; turkeys, young, 1012c; geese, $6(36.50 per dozen. Cheese Full cream, twins. 13 13c; Young America, UH&U; factory prices. ll4c less, Uutter Fancy creamery, 25274c per pound; extras, 27c; dairy, 17 20c; store, 12K15. Eggs 22K27Mc per dozen. Potatoes Best Burbanks, 65 70c per sack; ordinary, 50(55c per cental, growers' prices; Merced sweets, $1.75 2 per cental. Hops New crop, ZKgZdc per pound. Wool Valley, 12K15c; Eastern Oregon, 814c; mohair, 2628c Beef Gross, cows, 336c per pound; steers, 4c; dressed, 67c Veal 7SHc. Mutton Gross, 3c dressed, 6c. Lambs Gross, SKc per pound per pound dressed, 6c. Hogs Gross, 6?i7c per pound dressed, 77J$c. SLOW ON WARSHIPS. - T ,- ' - Behind Contract Time in Construction This Permits Improvements. Washington, Oct. ill ""Progress . .i ! A A.S upon new vessels unuur ajueirucuua during the past year baa sot been satis factory," says Rear Adpiial Bowles, chief of the naval bureau! ,of. construc tion, in his annual report! fo the secre tary of the navy. All tbj larger ves sels, he says, have been delayed by the nondelivery of structuraf" steel, while the vessels building at San Francisco were set back by the 10 months' strike. and the holdout of the wqrkmen at Se attle prevented any actual progress on the structure of the hull of the battle ship Nebraska building there. The de lay in the deliveries of airmor for the battleships Maine, Missouri, and Ohio and the monitors Arkansas, Florida, Nevada and Wyoming has. retaided the completion of these vessels, concurrent ly with other causes. The. inability of shipbuilders to obtain a sufficient force of skilled workers also , has been in many cases an important factor in the slow progress. The battleship Ohio is shewn to have been 29 months behind her contract on the first of July. The battleship Mis souri is over 20 months behind. The majority of the battleships and cruisers are over 10 months behind, and some of the torpedo craft are more than 40 months behind the date of completion stipulated in their contracts. How ever, Admiral1 Bowles says that the ex tensive delays on the torpedo boats are being terminated by tbe newly modified conditions foi their delivery. The contractors' delay in beginning construction of the Virginia, Pennsyl vania and St.Louis, the chief con structor points out, gave his bureau an opportunity to make a careful revision of the general plans of those vessels which, he says, will result in a con siderable improvement in their military value and in their habitability. The plana for the turrets off the Virginia class were developed in more detail. An entire rearrangement of the scheme for the stowage of ammunition was made and particular attention was given to an efficient scheme for coaling. The ships added to the navy during the past year the battleship Illinois and the torpedo craft Decatur, ;Perry, Preble, Biddle, Thornton and Wilkea- ' Substantial and encouraging progress is reported in the standardization of ship fittings, a scheme to secure uni formity in the innumerable types, of ship's parts, which has long been fos tered by the - construction", department. MUTINY ON A SHIP. . Murderous Plan to Secure $15,000 and Wreck the Vessel. New York, Oct. 15. The little steamer Dos Hermanos was sent out on cruise among some of the southern islands by a trading firm a few days be fore the transport Sherman left Manila, cays a dispatch from San Francisco. The steamer reached Virac and an chored in the harbor there. Officers and the few passengers on board were at dinner in the cabin when about " 30 of the crew, led by the boatswain, rushed down the gangway armed with knives hatchets and clubs, and demanded tbe money that was on the vessel. The officers were caught unarmed. The two women passengers fled to their rooms. The captain and men passengers gave the mutineers battle. The Dos Hermanos was anchored close to the shore and not far away from the constabulary barracks. The noise of the fight was heard at the bar racks and officers put out to the vessel. They succeeded in boarding after a desperate struggle with the mutineers, several of whom were shot and killed The others, numbering 34, were arrest ed, charged with mutiny and piracy It is supposed the plan of the muti neers was to kill all the officers, run away with the steamer, take the $15,000 which was aboard and then wreck the ship and declare all were lost except themselves. LOOKING FOR A PASS. Great Central Engineers in the Umpqua Mountains. Roseburg, Or., Oct. 15. Engineers George Lyman Moody and A. A. Linds- ley are making a reconnoissance of the North Umpqua route over the Cascade mountains, east of here, for the proposed Great Central railroad between Salt Lake and Coos bay. Engineer Jarrett and a party cf surveyors are now work ing this way from Myrtle foint. . worK was begun today laying on and platting the depot grounds here on the Bushey tract, adjoining the city limits. An office building iB to be erected thereon for the use of the railioad company as soon as the material already ordered ar rives. Definite location of the railway line eastward will begin when Engineers Moody and Lindsley ret'irn. The Great Central townsite company, composed mainly of local capitalists, has been incorporated here with a capi tal of $50,000. They are platting a tract of several hundred acres adjoining the city limits and the Great Central depot grounds. Storm Killed a Man. Quincv, 111., Oct. 15. A tornado which struck this city and passed in a northeasterly direction destroyed a number of houses and barns and did great damage to crops. Wires are down and details are meager. At Camp Point, one man was killed and in the outskirts of Quincy another was fatally injured. The smokestacks of the electric light power house were blown down, and the city is now in darkness. MEXICO MUST PAY UNITED - STATES WINS THE FAMOUS PIOUS FUND CASE. v Such is the Decision of The Hague Court of Arbitration Award for $1,420,682 Mexican Money, and the Decision was Unanimous Action was in Behalf of Archbishop of San Francisco. 'The Hague, Oct. 16. The aibitra- tion court in the pious fund case has condemned Mexico to pay the United States $1,420,682 in Mexican currency. The decision of the court was unani- mous. The tribunal finds; First That the claim of the United States on behalf of the archbishop of San Francisco is governed bv the prin cipal of res judica, in virtue of the ar bitration decision pronounced by Sir Edward Thornton, November 11, 1875, and amended by Sir Ed waid Thornton October 24, 1876. Second Tnat in conformity with this decision, the government of the United States of Mexico should pay the government of the United States 1,420,682 in money of the legal cur rency of Mexico within the period fixed by article 10 of the protocol of Wash ington. This sum will cover the total payment of annuities due from and unpaid by the government of the Mex ican republic, namelj, the annual pay ment of $43,050 in Mexican currency from February 2, 1869, to" February 2, 1902. Third That the government of the United States of Mexico shall pay to the government of the United States February 2, 1903, and every following year on the same date, forever, an an- nual payment of $43,050 of money of the legal currency of Mexico. The decision of the tribunal was read by Secretary General Ruiyssenaers, in the presence of the members of the special dipomatic corps, their wires, and representatives of the litigants. Dr. Matsen, president of the court, who declared that a revision of the sentence was possible only in event of new facts coming to light, thanked the rep resentatives of the United States and of Mexico for their assistance in enlight ening the' arbitrators. He added that, while no single judge was infallible, the unanimity of 'the arbitrators who question at issue was a guarantee that no .mistake had been made President Matsen concluded with expressing the best wishes for the health of Queen Wilhelmina and : he prosperity of her people, who had welcomed the mem bers of the court so cordially Mr. Ralston, of Washington, one of the lawyers in the case, and Senor Paredo, in behalf of Mexcio, thanked the court for the care it had taken in the case. Senor Paredo said that he was sure that as soon as his government learned of the court's award it would accept it. He must, however, reserve for his government the right to avail itself of the provisions of the protocol. ALASKA POSTAL CONTRACTS. Government Arranges for Two Different Routes Other Changes. Washington, Oct. 16. The postoffice department has made two contracts with the Alaska steamship company for carrvinz the mails from Seattle to Skasrwav. bv different routes. Both contracts cover the year beginning Oc tober 15. Under the one the company will send the mails every five days by the steamers Dolphin and Humboldt from March 1 and November 30, and every 12 days from December 1 to Feb ruary 28. This route sails from Seat tle, touching Juneau, Ketchikan and Douglas on the way to Skagway. The other contract provides for the sending of the mails four times a month by the steamers Faralon and Dirigo, byway of MetalaRahtla, Ketchikan, Wrangel, Petersburg, Snettusham, Juneau and Douglas, and at any other points where the steamer may touch. MOL1NEUX AGAIN ON TRIAL. Court Allows Special Venire of 200 New Jurymen and Adjourns. New York, Oct. 16. Ihe second trial of Roland B. Molineux, accused of the murder of Mrs. Catherine J. Adams on December 28. 1898. was called to day after many delays and adjourn ments in the criminal branch of the supreme court. Justice John S. Lam' bert. of Fredona, presided, oionneux was not in court when his counsel be can their argument in objection to the motion made last wees: for a special inrv panel. The courtroom was thronged. A formidable array oi oe . .... . fense was at the table devoted to the defense. General E. L. Molineux, father of the accused, was present. Justice Lambert granted the motion for a spec ial iurv panel of 200 names, and court adjourned until tomorrow. To Rebuild Naval Statlonv , .. Washington, Oct. 16. The navy de partment today cabled $15,000 to Ma nila. P. I., to be sent from there to the Island of Guam for the rehabilitation of the naval station property which was damaged by the recent earthquake The department received a cablegram tndav announcing the departure of the collier Justin from Cavite for Guam and it is the understanding here that she- carries the funds for the repair work. PUBLIC FUNDS SOLICITED. Wage Earners Asked to Contribute Their Earnings for One Hour Each Monday. Washington, Oct. 14. The American Federation of Labor, through its exec utive council, , has issued an address to the public; appealing for financial, and moral aid for the strikinirantbracite iers, and denouncing the attitude of the mine owners, on whom, the appeal says, must rest the responsibility for the hardships resulting from the coal famine. The address in part is as follows:- To the Public and Organized Labor: The strixe of the miners is now in its 23d week. That the strike occurred was entirely the fault of the presidents of the coal companies. That the strike has continued to this day is entirely due to the contempt which the presi dents of the coal companies have for the people of our country, and the untold sufferings which all may endure. No offer to settle the strike could be fairer than that of the miners' representative at the, conference with President Roose velt. The operators' haughty ar rogance, brutal, dominating spirit and blasphemous assumption of divine wealth, proprietorship, shook the uni verse, and aroused the indignation of all lovers of justice aud fair dealing. "What more could the miners do and maintain their self respect 'and not for feit the respect of their fellow men, than their willingness to submit all matters in dispute to a commission ap pointed by President Roosevelt, and whei. that was refused, to leave the en- ire controversy to J. P. Morgan, one of tbe men largely interested with the operators. There has never been a time, either before the strike or since its inauguration, that the miners have not been entirely, willing to have the questions involved in the miners' claims investigated and adjusted by any disinterested person. In behalf of the miners, in behalf of the cause of freedom, for justice and ight, the undersigned, representing the organized wage earners of America, appeal to all people to contribute gen erously, promptly, and to continue tbe same until the termination of this con test. And to that end the following suggestions are made : "First That in each city and town, business, professional and public men form relief committees to solicit finan cial and other contributions. "Second That the hours between 10 and 11 o'clock of each Monday morning during the continuance of the strike, is designated as 'Miners' Hour,' and the Wgeseafriod -dtnriag-tflai Kour-By the" working people of our country be ap propriated to the miners. 'Third That the ministers of tbe gospel of all . denominations make a special plea to their respective congre gations each Sabbath morning in behalf of the miners, their wives and children, and that they constitute themselves into relief committees among their re- pectivo parishioners. " "Fourth That the daily, weekly and' labor press . solicit contributions from their readers; entertainments be arranged and contributions from unions and other organized bodies solicited. "Fellow citizens, fellow wage earn ers. come to the aid or the miners in their heroic contest, and administer a well aierited rebuke for the arrogant, oppressive and uniustinaDie attitude toward the miners , of the operators, who would trample, under foot and crush the hearts and spirits of the men whom theyemploy with equally cal lous indifference as they outrage digm tv. the manhood and the interests of everv man. woman and child in 'our ...... land. "Bend all contribtions to W. B. Wil son, Secretary united Mineworxers oi America, Stevens Building, Indianapo lis, Indiana." TO INCREASE CUBAN ARMY. Island Congress Is Now Considering a Bill for This Purpose. Washington, Oct. 14. The Cuban congress is considering a diii to in Ml A. crease the Cuban army to three or four times its present strength, and the impression prevails in the island that the bill will be enacted. Should Secretary Root heed the appeal of Pres ident Palma, the legislation would be looked upon as almost necessary, as the Cubans are looking forward with much anxiety to the time when their own troops can form the sole garrison oi Havana, and when there win be no other troops to dispute their title. The natives of the island, according to mail advices from the Cuban me tropolis, have a misconception of the intention of this government in leaving a handful of troops in their territory. Those that remain are in no way acting as a garrison, and do not assert them selves, or thrust themselves to tbe front, as they did prior to May 20. Officiallv. neither American officers nor men appear at any functions. Whenever they are invited, it is in s personal and not an official capacity, It is said today that an American unl form is rarely seen on the streets of Havana, there beine practically no evidence of the presence of our troops in that vicinity. w Wright to Retire. Washington. Oct. 14. The statement is made that Carroll D. Wright, com missioner of labor, will retire from the office in two years. For 18 years Mr, Wright has been the chief of the bureau of labor. He is now engaged in some important investigations, the complO' tion of which will occupy the two years he expects to remain at the head of the labor bureau. Mr. Wright a few days ftffo was installed as president of Clark college,' at Worcester, Mass. UP TO THE MINERS OPERATORS AGREE TO ARBITRATION OF THE LABOR TROUBLE. Consent of Strikers Means Work at Once Five Men are to Inquire' Into AH the : Conditions In the Mining District and : Their Decision Is to be Final Great Victory for Roosevelt. Washington, Oct. 15. The coal mine operators have agreed to the appoint ment of a commission, to be appointed by the president of the United States, to whom shall be referred all questions at issue between the companies and their own employes, whether they be long to a union or not, and the decision of the commission shall be accepted by the operators. The commission is to consist of an army or navy engineer officer, an expert mining engineer not connected with the coal mining prop erties, one of the judges of the United States courts of the eastern district of Pennsylvania, a man of prominence as a sosiologist, and a man who, by active participation in mining and selling coal, is familiar with the physical and commercial features of the business. The operators also make it a part of the proposition that the miners shall re turn to work as soon as the commission is constituted, and cease all interfer ence with nonunion men. The com mission is to name a date when its find ings shall be effective, and to govern conditions of employment between the companies and their own employes for at least three years. The statement was read to the president as an act of courtesy before being given to the press. The conditions which the operators attach to tbe proposition for arbitration are not such as can be refused, although they couch their statement in language which has characterized all their state ments. In spite of the insolent man ner in which they received the first overtures of the president they have been compelled to allow him to name a commission ot arbitration. liven in suggesting the character of the men who will compose the commission, they are following suggestions coming- from the president, as the character of the men described are the kind he would choose. As first believed by the presi dent when he took . the initiative, the men refusing overtures of peace have been compelled by an overwhelming public sentiment to reconsider. His judgment has heen, jfls fiedi.4nd the result win cause great rejoicing among liFfose- threatened . by ' a; coal-famine. The following ia, in part, the state ment of the operators: To the public: The managers of the different coal properties compris ing the anthracite coal fields wish their position in the present strike to be un derstood, and therefore make the fol lowing statement of facts : "There are in the anthracite regions about 75 operating companies and firms and 147,000 mineis and workmen, of which 30,000 are under age, compris ing some 20 nationalities and dialects. Of these workmen, possibly one-half belong to the United Mineworkers' union, of which John Mitchell ia presi dent. That organization was origin ally formed in the bituminous coal re gion, and three-fourths of its members are miners of bituminous coal, and bituminous coal is sold in active com petition with anthracite coal. The re maining workmen in the anthracite -field either belong to no union what-' ever or do not belong to the Minework ers' union. "The coal companies believe that the I wages paid in tbe coal regions are fair and full, and all that the business in its normal condition has been able to stand if the capital invested is to have any reasonable return. The profits have been small, several of the com panies have become bankrupt and hare been reorganized several times. Seve ral have never paid dividends, and the dividends of the others have been a small return for the capital invested. It is not. however, the purpose of this statement to discuss this question. "We are not nor never have been un willing to submit all questions between them and their workmen to any fair tribunal for decision. We are not will ing to enter into arbitration with the union of miners, a union composed of men in a rival and competitive interest, and they are not willing to make any arrangements which will not secure to the men now working, and all now or hereafter wishing to work, whether they belong to the Mineworkers' union or not, the right and opportunity to work in safety and without personal insult or bodily harm to themselves or to theii families." The proposition of the coal operators was a result of a visit of Secretary Root to New York, and his conference with Mr. Morgan. Mr. Morgan at that time expressed a keen interest in the situation and a desire to bring about an adjustment, if possible. Following this talk with Secretary Root, there was a conference in New York, at which the proposition of the coal oper ators was agreed to, and Mr. Morgan was delegated to bring it to the presi dent, in the belief that such would be tbe courteous course, and the best way of promulgating the offer of settlement. Hot Battle In Venezuela. Willemstad, Oct. 15. An import ant engagement began this morning near La Victoria between the forces commanded by President Caetro, of Venezuela, numbering 4,100 men, with 15 guns, and the revolutionary forces commanded by Generals Matos, Men doza, Peraloza and Rivera with about 6,000 men and 22 guns. At Valencia, two hours' march from La Victoria, the sound of fierce cannonading can be heard. l i f f. r if , I 9. i ; i f r 1