Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-10-15

Absolute and complete failure to settle
The great anthracite coal strike met the
efforts of President Roosevelt Friday,
and when two stormy conferences, held
at the White House in Washington
were concluded the solution of the, labor
fight seemed further off than ever.
President Mitchell representing the
striking miners, offered to submit the en-
tire question to a board of arbitrators
appointed by the President. who was ask
ed to be member of the board, and to
abide by it's decision, even if every point
should be decided against the miners
The coal presidents summary and
with some bitterness rejected the proffcr
of peace, demanded of the President thar
he suppress anarchy in the coal regions,
and declared they never would treat with
Mitchell.
Summary of the Conference.
The rock upon which the conference
split was recognition of the miners
union. The President urged the contendr
ing parties to ce0s strife in the interests
of the public vrfare. The miners,
through the president of their union, ex-
pressed willingness to submit differ
ences to arbitration of tribunal to be
named by the President and to enter into
an agreement to abide by terms fixed by
the arbitration for a period of from enc
to five years; and the employers, through
the presidents of the railroad and coal
companies and leading independent
mine operator, squarely refused arbitra-
ton, denounced the miners labor organ
ization as q lawless and anarchistic body
with which they could and wolld have
no dealings, demanded federal troops to
insure complete protection to workers and
their families in the mining region and
court proceedings against the miners
union, and offered. if the men returned
to work, to submit grievances at indi-
yidual collieries 10 the decision Of the
judges of the Court OF Common Pleas for
the district of Pennsylvania, in which
the colliery was located
The President asked Mr.. Mitchell if he
would agree to submit the questions to
these courts, and he said No"
Forcibse LanguaGe Used.
The final session was a stormy one.
President Roosevelt did not look with
favor upon the attitude of the coal presi-
dents and did not hesitate to say so in
the forceful manner so characteristic Of
him. President Mitchell resented the
attacks upon the men he represented, and
the coal presidents then elaborated and
re-enforced the charges made in their
statement.
EVERY one spoke right out in meet
ing" said one of the officials, land It re-
minded me of the Senate chamber during
bitter debate. Every one was so much
in earnest he did not realize how vigorous
was the language used"
From the time the afternoon confer
ence opened until shortly after > O'Clock
this heated argument continued. At the
beginning the labor representatives and
the President were in conciiatory
mood, but the coal presidents evidently
did not intend to yield an inch, and threw
down the gauntlet by making a scathing
attack on the miners.
Mr.. Mitchell made most favorable
impression. He was cool, calm. self-c0n-
tanned, and. during the insinuations made
against him by the coal presidents, he
was earnest and forceful in the presenta-
ton of the miners side of the contro-
yersy and resented with dignity the at
tacks made upon him. He was the
spokesman for the miners, and his three
colleagues, who were present by courtesy,
did not open their lips.
The coal presidents were excited. even
after the conference adjourned. When
they arrived they were smiling and con-
fident but upon leaving, their faces were
flushed and their i'll humor was apparent.
On leaving the mansion, they passed
through a lane of humanity, plentifully
sprinkled with newspaper men, who fired
a volley of questions at them. They de-
clined to answer, and would not Indicate
if any conclusion had been reached.