Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-04
DETAILS OF THE CONFERENCE.
arrival of Participants-Prcsid It
Shows Deep Feeling.


WASHINGTON, D. c., October 3.-To-
after II O'Clock. President Mitchell and
his three district presidents of the
Miners Union, were the first to put in
an appearance at the temporary White
large crowd had assembled to witness
the coming of the chief participants in
the coal strike. They had arrived hero
about l o'clock in the morning. and had
They went in a street-car from their
hotel to Jackson Place and Pennsylvania
avenue, and walked the half block to
| where the President was waiting them
Their arrival was a few minutes in adj
vance Of the hour named for the con-
ference-11 o'clock.
The operators reached the temporary
White House at one minute past H. in
carriages which they had taken on leav-
ing the private cars in the railway yard
where they had spent last night. Each
party was escorted to separate rooms on
the first floor, and soon after they were
ushered upstairs. the miners represen-
tatives being ahead In the front room
on the second floor they found the Presi-
dent awaiting them. It is the place in
which he has transa cted all business
since ne returned from his western trip.
He was in a roller chair, and had on q
dressing gown
PRESIDENTS DISABILITY.
After the introductions, he smilingiy
guests in a more formal manner. Those
present were President Roosevelt, Attor-
ney-General Knox, Secretary Cortelyou.
Carroll D. Wright, Commissioner
Reading; Thomas. of the Erie; Tru-.-
dale. Of the Lackawanna and Western,
and Fowler. of the Ontario and Western
railways; Daniel Wilcox, of the Della
ware and Hudson railway, representing
President Oyphant Joseph Marble rep
resenting the independent coal operators,
and President Mitchell, Of the mine
Nichols, and John Fahy, presidents of
districts Nos. 7. l. and 8, of the miners
union. being the districts in which the
| anthracite coal is mined. Later, Assis-
tant Secretaries Loeb and Barnes, who
are stenogra pliers, came into the con-
ference room.
The President entered at once, into the
ment which he had carefully prepared.
urging settlement Of the strike in the
interests of the public. His manner was
exceedingly serious. and his voice show
after the President had closed Mr..
Mitchell arose, and on behalf of the
miners, offered to submit all the differ
ences to arbitration
OPERATORS SURPRISED.
The operators looked surprised, but be-
fore any reply could be MADE, President
Roosevelt said he desired that both
PARTIES tie take the matter under conslds-
The first session Of the conference had
lasted less than fifteen minutes. The
operators were driven to their priva,e
cars in the railway yards Mr.. Mitchell
and his party returned to their hotel.
Both parties Immediately set to work
to prepare statements in reply to the
Presidents suggestions. The operators
decided to make separate responses, but
before doing SO had discussion of thu
general tenor Of the statements they
would make. 1t is understood that Presi-
dent Baer communicated his statement
to parties in New York, over the long
distance telephone, before reading it TO
the President.
At 3:15, the evenings proceedings be-
gan. President Baer, Of the Reading,
opened them. and was followed by Presl-
dent Mitchell and Messrs. Markle. Trues-
dale. Wilcox, and Fowler.
BOTH PROPOSITIONS REJECTED.
A the conclusion of the statements
there was considerable informal CONVEX
sation The President called attention
to part of the statement made by Mr.
Baer. in which the latter said that the
opera tors were willing to submit griev-
ances to- the Courts of Common Pleas in
Pennsylvania. The President asked Mr..
but as an Individual. if he would agree
to that. Mr Mitchell promptly replied
that he would not.
The operators made 1t plain that they
would listen to no proposition whatever
Bemanating from Mr.. Mitchell. It was
s minutes to s. O'clock when the confer
~ GREAT PUBLIC INTEREST.
Deep interest was mauif tested 81 IN thu