The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-10-04
IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM
MEETING OF PRESIDENT, STRIKE
 LEADERS AND OPERATORS.
Appeal of the Former to the Contend- ing Parties-Settiement Asked iM Name of Humanity-Mitchel Answers the Accusations Made fn the Statements or
 

of Humanity-MitcheII Answers the Accusations Made fn the Statements of the Coal Presidents.
 Washington, Oct. 3.-At the tempo rary white house tonight, the following official statement was given out con- corning the coal conference to-day
 The conference opened at il o'clock. The operators and representative of the miners were presented to the president. Those in attendance were: George F. Baer, president Reading railway; W. H. TruesdaIe, president Delaware, Lacka- wanna and Western; E. B. Thomas, chairman of board Erie Railroad com pany; Thomas P. Fowler, president On- tario and Western; David Wilcox. vice president and general counsel Delaware and Hudson; John Markle, representing independent operators; John Mitchell, president United Mine Workers of
 
 Duffy, John Fafy, district presidents United Mine Workers of America; At torney General Knox, Secretary Cortel- you, Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor.
 The president at the outset, expressed his hearty thanks for their attendance and stated that owing to his peculiar +lon cit hn Q should make to them a very careful statement of his position and of his in tentions in asking them to meet. The presidents statement follows:
 Presidents Statement.
 'I wish to call your attention to the fact that there are three parties affected by the situation in the anthracite trade The operators, the miners, and the general public. The questions at issue which led to the situation affect immediately the par ties concerned-the operators, and the min CTS: but the situation itself vitally affects the public.
 As long as there seemed to be a reas- onable hope that these matters could be adjusted between the parties 1t did not seem proper to me to intervene in any way. I disclaim any right or duty to in tervene in this way upon legal grounds
  the situation; but the urgency and the ter ribe nature of the catastrophe impending over large portion of our people in the shape of a winter fuel famine imnel me. after much anxious thought, to believe that my duty requires me to use whatever in fluence I personally can to bring to an end a situation which has become literally in. tolerab!e.
 II wish to emphasize the character of the situation, and to say that its gravity fC, oh hot I nSf5 5suf Tn 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- appreciate. The evil possibilities are so far-reaching, so appalling, that it seems to me that you are not only justified in sink ing, but required to sink for the time be- ing, any tenacity as to your respective claims in the matter at issue between you. In my judgment the situation imperatively requires that you meet upon the common plane of the necessities of the public. With all the earnestness there Is in me. ask that there be an immediate resump- tion of operations tn the coal mines in some such way as will without a day $ unnecessary delay meet the crying needs of the people.
 ''I do not invite discussion of your le- spective claims and positions l appeal 10 your patriotism, to the spirit that sinks
 
 vidual sacrifices for the general good"
 Upon the completion of the presi- dents remarks, MT. Mitchell made a statement as follows:
 MT President-I am much impressed with what you say. I am much im- pressed with the gravity of the situa- ton. We feel that we are not respon- sible for this terrible state of affairs. We are willing to meet the gentlemen representing the coal operators to try to adjust our differences among our selves. If we cannot adjust them that way, MT. President. we are willing that you shall name a tribunal who shall determine the issues that have resulted
 OContinued on Eighth Page.)