The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-04
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL
Official Statement of What Was Said
and Done in the Conference.
IEy Assoc; al ed Press

| WASHINGTON, Oct. 3-At the tenn
poraiy White House tonight the fol-
lowing official statement was given out
concerning to-day's coal conference:
THE conference opened at il o'clock.
The operators and representatives of the
miners were presented 10 the President.
The President at the outset expressed
his hearty thanks for their attendance
and stated that owing to his peculiar
relations to the situation he felt that
he would make To them very careful
statement OF his position and of his in
| tentions in asking them to meet.
HIS STATEMENT.
The Presidents statement follows:
Il wish to call your attention to the
fact that there are three parties affected
by the situation in the anthracite trade
tie operators. the miners and the gene
raj public speak for neither the ope-
rators nor the miners. but for the gene
raj public The questions at issue which
led to the situation affect Immediately
tho parties concerned. the operators and
the miners: but the situation itself vitality
affects the public AS long as there
| seemed to be a reasonable hope that
these matters could be adjusted between
the parties II did not seem proper for me
10 intervene in any way. disclaim any
right or duty to Intervene in this way
under legal grounds or upon any official
relation that ] bear to the situa ton; but
the urgency and the terrible nature of
the catastrophe impending over a large
portion Of our people in the shape Of a
winter fuel famine impel me- after much
anxious thought, to believe that my duty
requires me to use whatever influence
personally can TO bring to an end situa-
ton which has become literally intoler-
able.
j@..l wish to emphasize the character Of
the situation and to say that its gravity
! is such that / am constrained urgently
TO insist that each one Of YOU realize the
heavy burden of responsibility upon him.
we are upon the threshold of winter with
AN already existing coal famine, the fu-
tire terrors OF which we can hardly yet
appreciate. The evil possibilities are so
far-rea ching. so appalling that 1t seems
10 me that you are not only justified in
sinking, but required to sink for the time
being any tenacity as to your respective
claims III the matter at issue between
YOU
I'm my Judgment the subject impera-
lively requires that You meet upon the
common plane of the necessities Of the
public With all the earnestness there
is III me. 1 ask that there be an imme-
date resumption OF operations in the
coal mines, in some such way as will
tile crying needs OF the people. I don't
invite a discussion of your respective
claims and positions. IHappeal to your
patriotism, 10 the spirit that sinks per-
sonal considerations and makes individual
sacrifices for the general good
MIR. Mitchell Speaks.
Upon the completion of the Presidents
remarks. Mr.. Michel made statement
as follows:
.sMr. President: I am much impressed
| with what YOU say; i am much impressed
with the gravity of the situation. We
feel that We are not responsible for this
terrible state OF affairs: we are willing
to meet the gentlemen representing the
coal operators TO try to adjust our diff
ferences among ourselves. II we cannot
ADJUST them that way, Mr. President, we
are willing that you shall name trib-
unal who shall determine the issues
which have resulted in tho strike. ana II
the gentlemen representing the operators
will accept the award or decision OF such
a tribunal the miners will willingly accept
even IL 1t Use against their claims. =
The President: Before considering
THAT ought to be dons I think it only