Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-10-04
CONFERENCE A FAILURE.

the President the mine operators ana
the representatives of the strikers, the
depressing announcement was made last
night that no agreement had been
reached. The strike will therefore go
on. John Mitchell, president of the
United Mine Workers of America, gave
out the following statement:
"At The morning session of the con-
ference with the presidents of the coal
carving railroads, President Roosevelt
outlined the purposes for which he had
called the operators and miners together.
Afer he had concluded his statement
the committee of miners at once pro-
posed to refer the question and issues OF
the coal strike to the President for adj
jnstment.
"At. this time the conference adj
iourned to meet at O'Clock.
"At 3 O'Clock the miners submitted
the following formal proposition
"Washington, Oct. 3, 1902. Mr.
President At the conference this
morning we, the accredited representa-
tives of the anthracite coal mine work
ers, were much impressed with the
views you expressed and the dangers to
the welfare of our country from a pro-
longation of the coal strike that you so
clearly pointed out. Conscious of the
responsibility resting upon US, conscious
of our duty 10 society, conscious of our
obligations to the $50, 600 mine work
ers whom we have the honor 70 repres-
ent, we have, after most careful consid
Grafton and with the hope of relieving
the situation and diverting the suferings
and hagdships which would inevitably
follow in the wake of a coal famine, de-
cided to propose a resumption OF coal
mining upon the lines hereinafter sug-
gested.
"Before doing so, Mr. President, we
desire to say that we are not prompted
10 suggest this course because OF any
doubts of the justice of our claims. In
deferring to your wishes we are promp,-
ed by no fear on our part OF our ability
TO continue the contest to successful
issue, thanks to the generous assistance
rendered us by our fcllow-workers in this
and other lands; thanks 20 ajustice- loving
American public, whose sympaihies are
always on the side OF right, we are able
to continue the struggle Indefinitely.
"But, confident of our ability 10 de-
monst-ate to any impartial tribunal the
equity OF our demands for higher wages
aud improved environment, we propose
that the issue eliminating in this strike
shall be referred to you and tribunal
of our own selection, and agree to accept
your award upon all or amy Of the .ques-
tions involved. If you will accept this
responsibility and the representatives Of
the coal operators will signify their will
ingness to have your decision incorpor-
ated in an agreement for not less than
one year or more than five years, as may
be mutually determined between them
selves and the anthracite coal mine
workers, and will pay the scale of wages
which you and the tribunal appointed by
YOU shall award, we will Immediately
call a convention and recommend re-
sumption OF work, upon the understand
ing that the wages which shall be pald
are to 90 into effect fiom the day upon
which work is resumed.
"The coal operators each read reply
to our proposition, in which they refused
to accept the services of the President OF
a tribunal appointed to determine the
issues of the strike, and in each of theil
statements INDUCED in perfect TRADE o
abuse against the miners organization
and its officials.
at was evident to the miners repre-
sentatives that the coal operators hay'
neither regard for their former employe
nor for the public which is suffering 81
much for lack of fuel AS consequence
of the refusal of Che operators to eithe
: grant concessions or defer to impartia
arbitration, the coal strike will 60 on.
~ am firmly convinced that the miner
will win. although we deeply regret tE
refusal of the railroad president to deie
10 the wishes of the nations Chief Exc
cutive The President expressed IN
hone that there would be no lawlessnes
\ in the coal fields and the representatiV.
of the miners assured him that the
every effort would be exerted to maintal
peace. - ~ p.os;
Mr.. Mitchell was asked if the Pres
Z. dent gave any indication of approval
the proposition submitted by the miner
"The President did not say anythln
about it." he replied, "butin his iofm'
statement this morning he said that b
wished an immediate resumption
work. In our proposition we agree
!. Immediately resume coal mining"
"Were the merits of the case touche
}. upon at the conference"
"No; not to any extent"
r ..The following is the reply OF Nj
Baer, of Reading Railroad, to IL
President:
''To the President of the United state
:. 1--WE understand your anxiety
~ forcibly expressed in the statement y'
>. read to us this morning TO bring apo
AN immediate resumption OF operauol