Arizona republican., 1902-10-16

response to the proposition from the operators.
 President Roosevelt, having ascer- tained the views of MT. Mitchell. at once communicated with the operators and initiated efforts to reconcile the differences developed and to have the operators make some further conces- sions, his aim being to reach a common accord between the miners and oper- ators whereby the labor dispute may be finally compromised and the mining of coal resumed.
 At the conclusion of the conference President Mitchell said he had no in- formation which he could give to the public. It was announced likewise at the temporary White House that no official statement of the conference would be made at this time. When the last conference had been concluded MT. Mitchell left the White House, and after a brief conference with President Gompers of the Federation of Labor and some other local labor leaders de- parted for Wilkesbarre. Pa
 MT. Mitchells visit to Washington was by the invitation of President Roosevelt who asked the miners presi- dent to come to Washington in order that they might discuss the terms of the proposition submitted to the presi- dent last Monday night by the anthra- cite coal railroad presidents in the hope that the operators and miners might be brought into an agreement.
 The discussion of the situation was entirely amicable. MT. Mitchell was in a conciliatory mood and the president was very zealous in his efforts to pro- mcte settlement of the prolonged strike. While no authorized statement as to the counter proposition could be obtained. it can be stated on excellent authority that Mir Mitchell in his crit icism of the proposition of the opera tors took exception to the disparage- ment of the miners union and to the limitation of time in which under the proposed agreement there is to be to strike His particular objection, how ever, 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.
 It is understood that he took a firm stand against this proposition. saying he was satisfied that the miners would not submit to any arbitration which would not be an arbitration in fact as well as in name. He urged that this would not be the case if one side to the controversy was afforded the ad- vantage of naming the classes from which the arbiters were to be appoint ed. He expressed himself as being as anxious as ever for arbitration, but planted himself squarely on the propo- sition that the president should be al- lowed to name the arbitra tors without either by the miners O. by the mine owners.
 It is understood that the wording of the mine operators proposition omit ting any reference to the miners union does not meet MT. MitchelPs approval. He desires if possible to obtain some formal recognition of the union. all though that is a technicality which he may waive subsequently,, as by any agreement to arbitrate the controversy the miners will get a general recogni- tion of their organization.
 MT. Mitchell assured the president of his anxiety to end the strike, but he said the miners were firm in their posi- tion and he could not afford to sanction any proposition that would sacrifice their interests at this time. He was willing. however, to dispense with minor details and indicated his inten- tion to demand only an arbitration board which should be selected fairly with respect equally to the interests of both parties to the controversy.
 While the feeling among those who are familiar with the position taken by MT. Mitchell is not rich in optimism, it is believed generally that the differ ences existing between the miners and operators will be resolved finally. It is said that while it may take few days to bring them together. the belief is universal that the negotiations now pending will terminate the strike.