The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-01
Mayor Ashbridge, Of Philadelphia,
Declines, Saying the Strike Will BE
Ended Before the Date Set.
COAL ROAD PRESIDENTS MEET
PRESIDENT BAER SAYS NEW YORK
WILL HAVE PLENTY OF FUEL.
Only 1000 Tons Are Now I'm stock
Phases of the Strike situation-sIr.
Mitchell at Wilkesbarre.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3o.-The President
to-day took initiative steps to ascertain
what, IL anything could be done by FEDERAL
authority to settle the coal strike. The re-
cult was a rather general expression OF
opinion by advisers of the President who
were parties to to-day's conference to the
effect that the federal laws and Constitu-
tion did not afford means of federal inter-
ference TO end the strike, but another con-
ference will be held tomorrow, and the
President will do all he can properly do le-
gally to bring about a settlement.
At the temporary White House a confer
ence was held with three Cabinet officers.
Attorney General Knox. Secretary Moody
and Postmaster General Payne. Governor
Crane, OF Massachusetts,, also was present.
These gentlemen met with President Roose-
welt first and after the subject had been
considered for some time they adjourned
TO another room and conferred together for
another hour. They all returned later in
the day and held another conference with
the President. and the strike situation was
discussed further. President Roosevelt is
deeply concerned over the situation The
approach of winter. with coal famine i'm
minent, and the distress and suffering that
presents a situation which he thinks should
receive the attention of the administration
II there is anything that can be done by the
government. Many appeals have been
made to him and many suggestions have
been received by him, and 1t was with a
view to ascertaining what power the fed
eral authority could evoke that he caused
the conference to be held.
During the conference every phase OF the
situation was discussed. The general opin-
ION of the advisers of the President was
that the situation did not present a case in
which there could be federal interfer-
ence by any warrant of law. There has
been 10 Interference with federal authority
in the mining region, either by stoppage Of
the mails resistance of the United States
Court process. 1t was pointed out that
there was no occasion for the use of fed
eral troops, Governor Stone, of Pennsyl-
vania, had not called on the government
for assistance ncr had he even exhausted
the resources OF the State by calling out
the full strength Of the state militia. The
question OF the right to seek appointment
of receivers for the mines in order that
they might be operated was discussed, but
neither in the Constitution nor in any
known law could any legal warrant be
found for such action. though the discus
sion on such lines even went so far the
consideration OF how the properties could
be relnquished and control surrendered
after the object OF supplying coal had been
accepted assuming that the federal govern
ment could intervene through receivers.
The tenor of the whole discussion was to
the effect that there was a lack OF power
in the federal administration to take any
action at the present stage of the strike,
although the seriousness OF the coal fam
Inc now and the much greater evils soon
to follow were considered at length and
with wish TO discover some method of
ending the Industrial deadlock.
Governor Cranes presence naturally
brought into prominence the proceedings
begun In the Massachusetts, courts to se-
cure the appointments of receivers for the
coal properties. but the opinion was ex-
pressed that the situation could not be met
successfully by this method.
During the day advices were received that
the strike might be settled by the opera
tors and the m, miners s, themselves and II was
kind by the federal government might
prevent the contamination of the plans for
strike settlement, II any such were ma
turing. While recognizing the futility of
efforts to end the strike that could accom-
plish nothing, IL was stated that the Presi-
dent was anxious that the end OF the strike
should be brought about at the earliest pos
sible moment. and that IL the attorney gem
eral or any other member of the Cabinet
could devise method by which the Presi-
dent could proceed. he would not hesitate
TO adopt IL unless meanwhile assurances OF
q settlement were received.
After to-day's meeting Governor Crane
left Washington for Massachusetts,.
The conference will be resumed to-r1or-
row. at which time Secretary Root. who
spent to-day in New York. will be present.
IL Is understood that the visit OF Secretary
Root TO New York was for the purpose of
consulting prominent business men on the
subject The secretary left for New York
Monday afternoon after a short conference
at the White House. when the same
were present who were at to-day's confer
ence.
81 has been intimated that the President
may send for the managers OF the coal
properties. but this will not be done until
after the conference tomorrow, and per-
haps not then Some confidence is ex-
pressed in the report which Secretary Root
may bring from New York. though il could
not be learned what communication, IL any.
had been received from the secretary
while he was In New York. He reached
Washington from there about 10 o'clock
tonight. but denied himself 10 newspaper
ue. and others seeking information.
80 official statement was made regarding
tic conference to-day. though an intima-
ton was given that some statement might
follow the conference Tomorrow AS
heretofore stated. the main fact made ap-
make every effort he can exert properly
and lawfully 10 stop the strike and avert
fuel famine.