Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-10-09
MINERS MAY
RESUME WORK
Possibility Exists That the
Coal Strike May Be
Called Off.
MAY YIELD TO THE PRESIDENT
Miners to Receive . Promise That the
State and Federal Authorities VIII In
vestigate Mining situation, with q View
to correcting Existing Evils.

Washington, Oct. Gin an earnest
effort to expediate the adjustment of
the coal problem another conference
over the situation was held at the
White house yesterday and adjourned
after three hours of elaboration. No
statement was given out as to the con-
illusions reached and every participant
absolutely refused to discuss what had
taken place during the meeting. The
conference was called for yesterday.
although 1t was Sunday, in view of the
extraordinary importance to the Amer.
lean people of speedy solution of the
question.
Besides the president, there were
present at the conference Secretary of
War Root, Secretary of the Navy
Moody, Attorney General Knox. Post
master General Payne and Colonel
Carroll ID. Wright, United States COM
missioner OF labor.
The last named was summoned to
attend the conference on account of
his expert knowledge of the situation
In the anthracite coal fields and be-
cause of his personal investigation Of
the conditions there which he made
some months ago at the instance Of
The president.
1t was notable that only four of the
members of the cabinet were present.
This, however, was Significant only
of the fact that three of these four
were lawyers and that the issue in
volved was one which called for the
elaboration of trained legal minds.
The fourth cabinet officer, Post
master General Payne, has taken a
prominent part in the preliminary
conferences over the coal situation
which led up to the conference with
the railroad presidents and miners
representatives Friday and besides has
had lifelong Identification with cor
porate interests which are involved in
the present question. The fact that
Mr.. Payne has also been one of the
closest advisors for many years in the
national councils of his party likewise
is important in connection with the
personnel of the conference.
The president in expressing his
views at the outset of the conference
talked earnestly and showed deep
feeling. His voice at times could be
heard down stairs Seceral times dur
ing the conference Secretary Cortel-
you was summoned into the room and
directed to prepare certain matters
for the consideration of the president
and his advisers. This was taken to
indicate that some action of one nature
or mother was about to be consummat-
ed.
When the conference adjourned a
few minutes before l o'clock all those
Joined In 1t declined to talk. Every
member of the cabinet and Colonel
Wright, the only outsider who was
present, was pledged to the president
to absolute secrecy as to what had
occurred within the conference.
In this state of absolute reticence
OF everyone of the parties to the con-
ference, it is almost impossible to do
more than draw the most general
of conclusions as to the nature of the
proceedings. based upon what pre-
ceded the meeting. The known
facts are that the president has
reached the conclusion that ne has
nothing to expect save refusal from a
further appeal to the coal operators
and, therefore. has decided to look
for relief from a situation which, in
his view, is fast growing intolerable,
to the miners side.
He feels that he hardly can expect
them to make the sacrifice of all of
their contentious without holding out
at least q promise of some return, and
the question before him is as to his
ability to do this. He can pledge him
self TO appeal to congress to examine
into the justice of the miners com
plains and remedy them so far as lies
in the power of the legislative branch,
backed by the earnest good will of the
executive. Also he can suggest to
Governor Stone of Pennsylvania that
he cause the Pennsylyar,a legislature
likewise to make an inquiry. perhaps
fastening the usual methods by calling
an extra session.
1t is believed that this is what the
conference decided upon yesterday,
and there is reason to believe that
messages have been sent to Governor
Stone and PRESIDENT Mitchell.