New-York tribune., 1902-10-08
MITCHELL MAY DECLINE 1T
SAID TO REGARD THE PRESIDENTS
OFFER UNFAVORARLY-H FROM
BUFFALO CONFERENCE

Buffalo. oct. President Mitchell Of the
United Mine Workers this afternoon positively
declined 70 discuss President RooseveIts request
that he use his influence to induce the miners to
resume work. with promise of the appoint
nent Of commission TO investigate their griev-
ances- II was learned from a trustworthy
source. however, that Mr.. Mitchell does not re-
gard the proposition favorably, and will decline
to ask the miners TO resume work on the condi-
tions named
The conference between the committee ap-
pointed by the National Manufacturers Asso-
citation and President Mitchell and his Iieuten-
ants, held an the Iroquois Hotel this afternoon.
did not result in the adoption Of any definite
plan for partial resumption Of work in the an
thracite coal fields but the members Of the
manufacturers committee said they were great
ly pleased with the progress made. The fact
that communication was established with the
operators by long distance telephone and
appointment made TO meet a committee repre-
sentlns them in Philadelphia tomorrow, is re-
bdIdeu as significant, as n had been announced
by members OF the manufacturers committee
that no understanding existed with the opera
tors before tO-day's meeting, and no step in
that direction would be- taken until the nego-
uauons with President Mitchell reached stage
"here such a meeting would promise results.
David NJ. Parry. of Indianapolis. president Of
the manufacturers Association; George III. Bar
nour. OF Detroit; Richard Young. Of New-York;
FRANK Leake, of Philadelphia. and John Max
Wel of indianapolis, represented the manu-
facturers. The miners were represented by
PRESIDENT Mitchell Secretary Treasurer Wilson
and District Presidents T. d. Nichols. Thomas
bu1y and John Fahey. After the conference.
which was held behind closed doors, the follow
ing statement was given out:
The committee of the National Association Of
manufacturers has listened TO the explanation
OF the present strike difficulty offered by a
special committee Of the United Mine Workers
AT the head of which was Mr.. John Mitchell
Inc National Association of Manufacturers
SoIiiIhitee mas learned what IL could OF the con-
ultons' and now goes TO Philadelphia for the
purpose OF meeting a committee of mine opera
tors with the idea OF getting their side OF the
dltnculty The National Association of Manu-
Iacturers' committee carries no proposition from
the mine workers. and has no other mission than
the desire 10 speedily bring about a settlement of
this dispute.
There were two sessions. the first lasting from
y 33-to a. m until l2:4j p. m. and the second from
: p m until p. IN. Mr. Mitchell was appealed
10 on the grounds of humanity 10 concede every
PosslDIe point so that the country might be
saved rrom the hardships and sufferings Incl
Gent 10 coal famine. which seemed inevitable
II Is also SAID that a proposition OF some kind
was submitted to the mine workers but the
terms are not obtainable.
In reply Mr.. Mitchell said in substance that
offers for conciliation had been spurned bv tbe
operators He would not place the miners in
the position OF suppiicants for peace They
were willing 10 abide by the decision of Tair
arbitrators- AS the matter now stood a nro
posal from the operators was the thing to be ex-
AFTER the meeting President Parry was asked
II the conference had resulted in brfnein1 =
solution or the strike question any nearer
We have great hopes that something definite
Will he DONE" he replied.
What II this attempt at conciliation nrovas
to be a failure"
Then the prospect Is bad one Manufactur
ers are trying 10 run on soft coal. but thev can
not get sufhcient quantity OF that One can
not contract for any large quantity In short
time this will be exhausted This viii a shTrI or
shutting down OF factories depriving WoTEtne,I e
men OF an opportunity TO earn a livelihood and
adding hunger as well as cold 70 the miseries of
the people
How many men are employed in factories
represented by the association?'
There are LOO manufacturers. and each en-
ploys from 500 TO 500 men" ~