Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-11
Governor Replies with Warmth that he Acts
solsly as Pso2.ss Representative
sToUrLY REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE UNION
Slight Increase UselSIs.y Suggested a. Con-
cession 10 Enable Resumption.
COAL OWNERS kSKLAw ON BODY or MEN
Claim Miners Form illegal Combine
within Meaning of sherman Anti
Trust Act, AlreRdy Invoked
Against Themselves.

conference between the operators the gov
ernor and the senior senator OF New York
and two senators from Pennsylvania, the
miners strike is apparently as far from
settlement as ever.
Governor Odell laid before the operators
today the proposition that II they would
concede an advance Of cents per ton in
the price Of mining coal he would promise
that the miners would 90 to work. but on
being told the concession would carry with
It recognition Of the miners union, the
operators promptly refused the proposal
and took their leave.
Mr.. Mitchell took no part in any Of the
conferences. being in New York. it is said.
that he might be In reach, should the ne
gotiations reach a stage where decision for
the miners was required
Governor Odell at a lato hour was asked
whether he had determined on any further
move.
IL have not received any oficial notice
OF the rejection Of our proposition" he
said.
Has 1t been suggested that you call an
extra session OF the legislature?" was
asked
Il have, not thought OF it, as yet as
said. am waiting for an answer from the
operators"
The governor said tonight that he would
go to Newburgh tomorrow to register and
return here on Monday morning. Then he
said he would again take up the matter ac-
lively II no decision was arrived at by the
miners and operators.
At 1890 o'clock Chairman Thomas ~ the
Erie and President Baer OF the Reading
railroad reached Senator Platt's ONCE and
went into conference.
The conference in Senator Platt's ONCE
came to an end just after 1 o'clock. Gov
ernor Odell was the first to come out and
In reply to questions said:
There is not a word to be said"
Senator Platt said later:
Everything has been put over until
Tuesday
Chairman Thomas Of the Erie board, when
seen after the meeting, handed TO the AsFo-
ciated Press the following siatement: 1T
was impracticable 10 reach amy conclusion
of the strike situation on the basic sug-
gested this morning"
Chairman Thomas OF the Erie road said
after the conference that no conclusion
had been reached.
President BRer OF the Reading railroad
came over from Philadelphia during the
forenoon and shortly after his arrival here
went to J. p Morgan's ONCE. Later Chair
man Thomas of the Erie railroad also
called and the three remained In close
consultation for some time. At 1875
Mr. Baer and Mr.. Thomas left the Morgan
oflces and went around TO Senator Platt's
ONCE, where Senator Plat and his con-
ferees were in session. They we're ushered
quickly into the room.
Operators Anger OdeII.
The conference was begun by a state
ment made by Senator Penrose that the
situation was becoming so serious that
some solution must be found at once. He
suggested that the operators should incline
to some concessions toward a settlement
III you mean by that" said President
Baer. that we are to recognize the exist
ence Of a labor union, tell you right now
that tn. operators will consider no such
proposition"
Governor odell was on his feet in an in
stRnt. Holding a half-burnt cigar In his
hand and white with excitement, he said:
Are we TO understand that no kind OF
a conciliatory proposition will receive con-
sideration at the hands OF the operators 30
II did not say that" answered Mr.. Baer,
''but do say. and l reiterate It, that we
will not accept political advice or allow
the interference OF politicians in this, our
affair"
What do you mean by politicians?" de-
manded the governor warmly II want you
and all the other operators 70 understand
that / am the governor of New York, the
chosen representative OF 100000 people
and that l am here in this matter solely in
that capacity and to relieve II possible
an intolerable situation. And, what is
more, / intend TO use every power at my
command to do It,"
President Baer, evidently appTeciating
that he had gone too far. bowed to Gov
ernor Odell.
Governor" he began. 81 beg your par
don. No personal affront was intended and
We will listen to any suggestions you may
have to make; but again 1 repeat that we
must refuse to recognize the union as rep
resented by Mr.. Mitchell"
II believ. >" said the governor, that
your position from a public view is abso-
lutely untenable. II coal operators, rail-
road men and other business men can com.
bine for mutual profit aud protection, there
Is no reason why laborlng men should not -
What is the propositlon?' asked Mr.
Baer. eoldly.
Just this" said Governor Odell Il an
sure that the labor organization Of which
Mr. Mitchell is head desires him to be fair
with the general public. II the operators
will consent to give the men S cents tor
increase l will personally present II to the
miners. and l believe they viii accept it
Il is a fair proposition
Operators Leave In Hurry.
Does that mean that we are TO reeog,
nize the miners unionT" Mr.. Baer de,
manded.
1T certainly does" answered Governor
odell quickly. "and there Is no reason VIII.
you should not"
Mr.. Baer aud Mr. Thomas rose at this
MF. Thomas remarking that the mattel
would be presented 10 the other operators
and that an early answer would be forth
coming
MIR. Baer said; I'VE are 10 meet a com
mittee OF the Manufacturers association OF
Tuesday and we may have an answer then.
The conference broke up, Mr. Baer an'
Continued on Second Page.l