Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-06
LET MORGAN SETTLE STRIKE
John Brisbane Walker Make, Suggestion to
President Roosevelt.
CAPITALIST READY FOR UNDERTAKING
Editor Tells of His Conferences with
Mr.. Morgan and with President
Mitchell Of the Mine Work.
ers' Organization.

Joh.. Brisbane Walker, editor OF the Cos
mopolitan, who has been active in his efforts
to bring together the conflicting interests
in the anthracite coal strike in Pennsyl-
vania, passed through Omaha yesterday
over the Burlington enroute to Colorado
Springs, where he will attend the National
Irrigation congress. In the afternoon he
sent a long telegram to President Roosevelt,
reviewing his efforts and suggesting a plan
for settling the strike.
II have spent most Of my time for the
last ten days between New York and
Wilkesbarre," said Mr.. Walker, "and have
given the coal strike nearly my whole time
and attention. The proposition looking TO
settlement of the trouble have Just made
to the president is the result Of a great
deal of study. after personal investigation
Of the strike and its effect in the east The
president is aware that this message is
coming and I believe he will give it serious
consideration"
Message to the President.
Mr.. Walker will make an extended tour
OF the west and south before returning to
New York. His message to the president is
as follows:
To the President. White House, wash
ington: Affairs are now in such shape
! that there seems to be no immediate way
out of the coal strike difficulty, except one,
the placing of the matter by Mr. Mitchell
and his associates in the hands of Mr.. j.
Pierpont Morgan. In view of the immense
| Importance to the country of every hour
In the determination of this affair. Mr..
Mitchell may ind in this a way to serve
the public interests, yet protect fully those
My reasons for offering this suggestion
at this time, when all other possible solu-
| tions seem to be exhausted are based upon
IN knOWlpdRt- of the conditions. EarlV In
September l went to Mr.. Morgan's office
and outlined a basis of arrangement. This
seeming to be approved by one of Mr..
Morgan's partners, 1 went at once to
My conference with Mr.. Mitchell and
several of his associates covered two hours
| in the afternoon, and three hours later.
until midnight. Taking a 3 o'clock night
| train back to New York, l had a three
| hours conference with MIR. Morgan, and
! later with his partner, Mr. Steele.
Says Morgan is Liberal.
! I found Mr.. Morgan. as ! had expected,
| far-seeing and liberal He had a grasp of
| every detail of the situation, and spoke IN
| "a sympathetic manner regarding all the
| interests involved.
l went away with the understanding that
/ should be called up al livingston on the
| that Mr. Morgan wished to see me at
o'clock. Shown into his private office, he
| greeted me with: You have given me the
| most difficult problem of my life" quote
| his exact words, as showing how much
| thought and care he was giving at time
| when the public was ascribing to him en-
1 tire Indifference.
He held in his hand a paper in which he
agreed, while disclaiming authority over
| the railways concerned, to undertake per-
| sonally to bring about a satisfactory ad-
fjustment, If the matter we're piaced In his
| hands, to endeavor to find such terms that
both miners and operators would be likely
| to preserve friendly relations.
| L carried away with me the conviction
| that Mr.. Morgan, in taking upon himself
| the grave responsibility, had fully weighed
all that was involved, and that the miners
would have everything to hope for in the
With Mr.. Steele the previous day tht
question of commission was discussed
| Inasmuch as there are some 800 mines
| each with certain special features of It's
own, the matter Is one of great complexity
The names of those discussed were thos'
of Mr.. George w Perkins. representing
| knowledge of the financial aspects of tn,
problem; Mr.. John Mitchell. having a ful
! acquaintance with the miners side. anC
entirely disinterested vet having suci
knowledge of the intricacies of large bust
ness affairs as would lead TO slow and care
ful judgment.
Mitchell is willing.
After going over the matter, carried
off to Wilkesbarre Mr.. Morgan's paper
with the understanding that II not actsC
upon It should be returned. In an interviev
with Mr. Mitchell, lasting over four hours
he expressed himself as having absolute
confidence in Mr. Morgan's good faith, AM
! as DelnB Wiling, II MS action alone Wer
required, to commit the entire matter with
out a moment hesitation. Mr.. Morgan
would not take upon himself II was ar
gued so great a burden without being sur
of his ability to reconcile all differences
But while Mr.. Mitchell himself felt thi
! certainty about the outcome, others VIII
did not understand the peculiar position
occupied by Mr. Morgan would decline 4
! assent.
Later on ! went with Mr.. Perkins L
/ Philadelphia and meeting Mr.. Mitchell a
his hotel by previous arrangement wen
with him to Archbishop Ryan's wher
rooms had been placed at our disposal fo
I a conference, as upon Neutral ground. Sti
another visit was made to Wilkesbarre
where had an opportunity to go over IN
/ entire ground not only with Mr.. Mitchell
but with the district leaders.
/ Because of this knowledge of the stu
alton. ] venture at this critical time MI
President, when all other means seem I
have failed, and when every days della
means suffering, and financial loss TO tn
public, to respectfully suggest that a wa
, out of the harrassing and dangerous situa
ton may be found in the direction her
indicated.
, II through your generous Intervention
Mr.. Mitchell should place the matter un
T reservedly in the hands Of Mr.. Morgan.
I would be a trust OF the highest character
which I am sure you will feel. In commo
with the public, would be worthily ad
ministered. Sincerely,
JOHN BRISBANE WALKER.
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