Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-02
Pres. Roosevelt Asks Mine
Presidents and Mr.. Mitchell
To Meet Him at Washington and
Frankly Discuss Matters.
A Great Step Toward Settling the La
mentable Strike.


ferences with his cabinet advisors COW
ering yesterday and today.
The decision was arrived at when the
lawyers of the cabinet informed the
President that there was no way, under
the constitution and the form of gov
eminent of the United States, for fed
eral Intervention to end the strike.
Every phase of the situation was
canvassed and the determination to
have the mine operators and President
Mitchell meet the President was
reached when it was found that no
other method was open.
At the conclusion of the conference.
today, which was attended by Secre-
taries Root, Shaw and Moody, Attor-
ney General Knox and Postmaster Cen
eral Payne, at the temporary White
House. a statement was issued. 1t is
in the form of a letter addressed to all
the presidents of the coal-carrying
roads and John Mitchell, president of
the Miners Union, inviting them to
meet the President on Friday of this
week for conference. Following are
the kilograms sent out:
White House. Washington, Oct. l.
George L. fodeT, pIeSiutHt I-tdutllfo
Railway System, Philadelphia:
w. H. Truesdale. president Delaware.
Lackawanna & Western Co, New
York:
f. E. Thomas. chairman of board, Erie
Railroad Co, New York:
Thomas p. Fowler, president New York,
Ontario & Western Railway Co., New
York:
r. NJ. ELEPHANT, president Delaware &
Hudson Railway Co., New York:
John Markle, 527 West Saith street, New
York:
l should greatly like to see you in
regard to the failure of the coal sup
ply, which has become a matter of vital
concern to the whole nation. l have
sent a similar dispatch to Mr.. John
Mitchell, president of the United Mine
Workers of America.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
John Mitchell. president United Mine
Workers of America, Wilkesbarre,
Pa:
] should greatly like to see you on
Friday next, Oct. 3, at IL o'clock A. NJ.
here in Washington, in regard to the
failure of the coal supply, which has
become a matter of vital concern to the
whole nation. / have sent similar dis
patch to the presidents of the anthra-
cite coal companies.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
At the meeting, Friday, the line of
approach to the settlement of the strike
will be an appeal by President Roose-
Welt to both sides to come together as
al Col a,,i1 a q
feeling of obstinacy to stand in the way
of the termination of the great strike.
which is fraught with such threat of
misery to thousands of people.
1t is stated by one of the Presidents
advisors that beyond this the President
cannot go: he has no powers of COM
pulsion to bring into play against either
side and he must rely upon his per-
suasive abilities and his appeals to
their sense of humanity if anything
tangible is to be accomplished.
The President intends to lay before
his hearers the situation as it appears
to MIN with all the prospective horrors
that will follow fuel famine. and will
urge them in the interests of humanity
to open the mines and supply the de-
| mand for coal.
The President has taken this action
because he feels it to be his duty to do
| so. as the executive head of a nation,
threatened with great peril. In a sense.
he has taken upon himself the burdens
of an arbitrator in this great dispute
between capital and labor, and though
the arbitration is not compulsory and
| is not even known under the name Of
arbitration in any of the invitations is
sued. today, it is the hope of the Presi-
dent and his advisors that it will be
effective.
Just how no one can say, though there
is the suggestion of temporary ar
rangement which will tide over the cold
weather.
1t is stated by member Of the cabi-
net that there is no political purpose
in this effort. In the other attempts.
it is said. the operators felt that poll
tics was the most prominent motive.
There will be no one present at FRI
days meeting but the principals. Ac-
cording to the present understanding
the cabinet meeting usually held at
that hour will be postponed. The abb
sence OF the cabinet will give the Pres
idcnt an opportunity to do just what
he wants. namely. to have a good,
heart to-heart talk with the operators
and Mr.. Mitchell, to induce them to
talk to each other freely and to reason
quietly and soberly and finally to agree
il possible to make concessions on each
side which will terminate the strike
And. at least. If this last object can
not be directly attained. II is hoped
that the foundations may be laid FOR
an agreement in the near future. per-
haps an agreement between the princi-
pals to have further meetings and per-
haps to refer questions between them
to third parties.
1t is stated positively that the Presi-
dent has no assurances from either side
which formed the basis Of his call for
this meeting.
Continued on page %