The Savannah morning news., 1902-10-16

ployers and employed He laid special
stress in stating his objections on the
proposition that one of the commission
should be a judge from the eastern
district of Pennsylvania. He was very
insistent in some of his objections,
which he voiced in what might be
termed contemporaries to that of
the operators. After the President and
Mr.. Mitchell had exchanged views free
ly and gone over this counter-proposi-
ton of Mr.. Mitchell's, a call was sent
out by President Mitchell for a joint
meeting tomorrow of the executive
boards of the Mine Workers Union
for the three anthracite districts of
Pennsylvania. At this meeting
1t is believed an agreement
will be reached on statement
to be officially promulgated by the
Miners Union in response to the prop
osition from the operators. President
Roosevelt having ascertained the views
of Mr. Mitchell, at once communicated
with the operators, and initiated eff
forts to reconcile the differences de-
veloped and to have the operators make
some further concessions. his aim be-
ing by mutual concessions to reach
common accord between miners and OPP
orators, whereby the labor dispute may
be finally composed and mining of coal
resumed.
The progress made to-day was ac-
complished by means chiefly of two eX-
tended conferences between President
Roosevelt and John Mitchell, the pres
ident of the United Mine Workers of
America. At the conclusion of the con-
ferences Mr.. Mitchell said he had no
information which he could give to the
public. 1t was announced, likewise, at
the temporary White House that no
official statement of the conferences
would be made at this time.
When the last conference had been
concluded Mr.. Mitchell left the White
House, and after brief conference
with the President, Samuel Gompers,
departed for Wilkesbarre this morning.
Mr.. Mitchell's visit to Washington was
by invitation of President Roosevelt,
who asked him to come to Washington
in order that they might discuss the
terms of the proposition submitted to
the President last Monday night by
the anthracite coal railroad presidents.
While all the persons having knowl-
edge of the details of the conferences
are extremely reticent, enough Is
known to Justify the statement that
while they did not accomplish set
tlement of the strike, they, at the same
time, were not barren of tangible re-
suits.
AT the first conference, which lasted
from 11:50 a. m. until 1855 D. M, the
President and Mr.. Mitchell discussed
fully the proposition made by the op-
orators for an arbitration commission.
In general way the miners presi-
dent indicated certain objections which
he had to the proposition of the opera
| tors, but, it is understood, did not at
that time present his objections in a
formal statement.
At the conclusion of the first confer
ence Mr. Mitchell walked over to the
| Treasury Department, where for two
hours he remained closeted with Frank
| p. Sargent, commissioner of immigra-
ton, in the latter's office. 1t is believed
that at the conclusion of this confer
ence Mr.. Mitchell had formulated a
statement akin to a counter-proposi-I
| ton to that made by the operators.
This he later presented to the Presi-
| dent, going directly from Mr.. Sar-
| gents office to the White House at 3
o'clock for that purpose.
While no authorized statement of the
counter proposition could be obtained
it can be stated on excellent authority
that Mr. Mitchell, in criticism of the
! proposition of the operators, took ex-
ception to the disparagement of the
! miners union and to the limitation of
! the time in which, under the proposed
/ agreement, there is to be strike. His
! particular objection, however, was to
the insistence of the mine owners that
! they should be permitted to designate
| the classes from which the arbitrators
| should be drawn by the President. 1t
! is understood that he took a firm stand
| against this proposition, saying he was
| satisfied the miners would not submit
| to any arbitration which should not
| be arbitration in fact as well as in
| name.
Mr.. Mitchell, in his counter PROPOSE
ton, insisted that President Roosevelt
be given a free hand in the selection
| of the board of arbitration, and that
the terms under which the operators
propose to create that board be re-
modelled, at least to some extent. 1t is
understood also that the wording of
the mine owners proposition, emitting
any reference to the miners union,
does not meet Mr. .Mitchell's approval.
He desires, if possible, to obtain some
formal recognition of the union. Mr.
Mitchell also expressly opposed the re-
striction made in the operators prop
osition limiting the selection of a fed
eral judge, as one of the arbitrators,
to a particular jurisdiction.
1t is stated upon authority although
not the President nor Mr.. Mitchell
that President Roosevelt agreed to
present Mr.. Mitchells contention to the
the next step taken.
Mr.. Mitchell assured the President Of
his anxiety to end the strike, but said
| that the miners were firm in their po-
| sition, and that he could not afford to