New-York tribune., 1901-03-28
NO STRIKE LIKELY NOW.
]. PIERPONT MORGAN TO DO ALL IN HIS
POWER TO PREVENT 1T.
PROBABLE RESULT OF THE CONFERENCE
BETWEEN THE FINANCIER AND THE
DELEGATION HEADED BY THE
REV. E S. PHILLIPS.

DELEGATION HEADED BY THE
REV. E. 5. PHILLIPS
The Rev Edward s Phillips rector of st.
GabriePs Roman Catholic Church. Hazleton,
Penn. accompanied by several business men of
the Pennsylvania anthracite coal region, yester-
day afternoon called on ]. P.erpont Morgan at
his office Wall and Broad sts.. and spent some
time in conference with him regarding the diff
ferences between the coal operators and the
miners. After the conference Father Phillips
seemed we'll satisfied but was uncommunica-
tive. Mr. Morgan said: II have nothing to say.
Not word" When asked if he would make
statement later in the day he repeated that he
had nothing to say.
The delegation which met Mr.. Morgan yester-
day comprised, in addition TO Father Phillips.
Edward Lauderbach the treasurer. and "A. L.
McAlster. the secretary. of the Hazleton Board
of Trade, and j. H. Zerbey. president, and L. W.
Marquardt. chairman. of the manufacturers
committee of the Pottsville Board Of Trade.
Arrangements for this meeting were made last
week by the officials of the various boards of
trade of the coal region of Pennsylvania
through Father Phillips, as chairman On
March 20 Father Phillips received a letter from
Mr. Morgan's private secretary, which said that
Mr. Morgan would be pleased to meet COM
mittee any afternoon of this week between II
and 3 o'clock In response to this letter the
delegation. which represents the business in
terests of the coal regions and not directly the
miners came to this city. arriving here on Tues
day night They reached Mr.. Morgan's office
at about 80 o'clock yesterday afternoon
Upon meeting Mr. Morgan Father Phillips
made ii brief presentation speech. saying that
the members of the delegation were there
merely TO try to bring about some action which
would prevent strike; that they were ready to
act as an intermediary body or to be used In
anv way which would compose any differences
existing
Father Phillips after his formal presentation
of the delegation. asked Mr.. Morgan. 1t is said'
If he would not meet John Mitchell. president
of the United Mine Workers Association, who
has been in New-York for several days. Mr..
Morgan replying broadly 10 this specific ques-
ton and addressing himself to Father Phillips
touching the errand of the delegation, said in
substance that his attitude up TO the present
had been toward prevention of a strike He
was much interested in the mission of the dele
CATION. and assured the members that they
could rely upon him to do all within his power
to prevent any action which would paraIyze
business He remarked however. it is said.
that he was dfsinclned to hold public confer
cree with the labor leaders indicating
reason for this attitude the belief that should
such public meeting be held the achievement
of the best ends which all were seeking might
be hampered In other words as Mr. Morgan
remarked. should he hold public meeting or
conference, half Of NewYorII would be upon
his heels" Mr. Morgan added that the ends
sought could best be accomplished through
other channels. and he told the delegation that
he might communicate with the boards of trade
later
You may rest assured that l believe there
will he no strike remarked Mr.. Morgan. re-
ported, and then he added that these matters
could be arranged through proper channels and
that there were other people than himself who
could look after the details. Mr.. Morgan then
shook hands with the members Of the delega-
ton and ushered them from the building through
a private passageway.
Father Phillips was recognized when he
reached the street, and large crowd followed
him up to Broadway. He and the other mem
bers OF the party proceeded to the Astor House.
where a half hours conference was held. Then
the priests associates started for the train which
should take them home 10 Pennsylvania while
he himself went uptown TO the Ashland House
Father Phillips was seen at the Ashland House
in the evening by Tribune reporter. to whom
he said:
Mr.. Morgan received. our committee most
cordially and assured us that he would do all in
his power to make our mission of peace success
full. We We're very much gratified by his words"
Did Mr.. Morgan promise to recognize the
union Father Phillips was asked, and he re-
piled:
Il will not answer that question directly but
If you choose to infer from what | have already
told you that he did promise 10 recognize the
union. will have no quarrel with you"
But, Father Phillips" said the reporter, the
public would rather have your differences from
Mr. Morgan.s words than my inferences from
your words"
Let the public draw its own conclusions
replied the priest. Would my fellow delegates
hon nvirl-l
here telling YOU that l was greatly pleased with
the result of our conference with Mr.. Morgan
if he had not done something which will avert
a strike? That is not likely is it?'
Father Phillips then had n conference with
john Mitchell and told him what Mr.. Morgan
said. At the close of the conference Mr.. Mitch
ell was asked whether Mr.. Morgan had promised
to recognize The union. hut he would rot saw a
word. II is reported that Mitchell was himself
though indirectly. in conference with Mr. Nor
gan earlier in the day, but the labor leader
would neither confirm nor deny this rumor.