The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1902-10-17

Some Obstacles Remain.
While all persons having knowledge
of the details Of the conference are
extremely reticent, enough is known
to justify the statement that while
they did not accomplish . settle.
ment Of the strike, they at the
same time were not barren of tangible
results. Some obstacles to a settle
ment remain. The discussion of the
situation was entirely amicable. Mr..
Mitchell was in a conciliatory mood
and the president was very Jealous
in his efforts to promote settlement
OF the prolonged strike.
At the first conference, which last
ed from 1850 a. m. until 1895 p. H.,
the president and Mr.. Mitchell dis
cussed fully the proposition made by
the operators for an arbitration COM
mission. In a general way the miners
president indicated certain objections
which he had to the proposition of the
operators. but it Is understood did not
. formal statement.
Talked With Sargent.
l. At the conclusion of the first con.
ference, Mr.. Mitchell walked over to
the treasury department.: where for
two hours he was closeted with Frank
p. Sargent, commissioner of immigra-
tion. During that time Mr.. Mitchell
communicated by long-dfstance tele
phone with persons in New York and
in Wilkesbarre. It is understood that
at that time he called a meeting of the
district mine presidents to be held ir
Wilkesbarre. He discussed fully the
strike situation with Mr.. Sargent. with
whom he has had long time friend
ship, Mr.. Sargent until recently hav
ing been president Of the Broth arhool
OF Locomotive Firemen. Commission
er Sargent has been an important
factor in the efforts made by President
Rooseveltto effect settlement of the
controversy between the miners and
operators. and. therefore. wss in a
position to talk freely with Mr.. Mitch
ell. Their conference was as earnest
as 1t was long. It is believed that it's
conclusion Mr.. Mitchell
!. Had Formulated 4 Statement
akin to counter proposition to that
made by the operators. This he later
rectly from Mr.. Sarge1t's Office to the
White House at 8 o'clock for the pur-
pose.
While no autho' I'D statement Of
the counter propos-..on could be OBJ
tained, 1t can be stated on excellent
authority that Mr.. Mitchell, In criti.
cism Of the proposition Of the opera
tors, took exception to the disparage.
ment of the miners union and to the
limitation Of the time in which. under
the proposed agreement, there is to be
no strike.
+ His particular objection, however,
was to the insistence of the mine OWL
ers that they should be permitted to
designate the classes from which the
arbitrators should be drawn by the
president. It is understood that he
took firm stand against this PROPOSE,
tion, saying he was satisfied the
Miners Would Not Submit
to any arbitration which would not he
arbitration in fact as we'll as in name.
He urged that this would not be the
case II one side to the controversy
were afforded the advantage nf nam
ing classes from which the arhitrators
were to be appointed. Fe expressed
himself as being az anxious as ever
for arbitration, hut rlants himself
squarely on the proposition that the
president should he allowed to name
the arbitratcrs without any restric
tions or limitations made either by the
miners or by the mine own ers.
Mr.. Mitchell. in his counter proposi.
tion, insisted that President Roosevelt
be given free hand in the selection
of the board of arbitration and that
the terms under which the operators
propose to create that be board be re-
modelled, at least to some extent. It
is understood also that the wording
of the mine operators proposition
omitting any reference to the miners
union, does not meet with Mr.. Mitch
ellis approval He desires, ii possible.
to obtain some formal recognition of
the union. although that is
Technicality Which He May Waive
subsequently as by any agreement to
arbitrate the controversy the miners
will get general recognition of their
organization. Mr.. Mitchell also ex-
pressly opposed the restriction made
in the operators proposition limiting
the selection of federal Judge as one
of the arbitrators to particular ju-
risdiction.
It is stated on excellent authority,
although not by the president or Mr..
Mitchell, that President Roosevelt
agreed to present Mitchells conten-
ton to the operators. It is believed
that this will be the next step taken.
Mr.. Mitchell assured the president
of. his anxiety to end the strike, but
said that the miners were firm in their
position and that he could not afford
to sanction any proposition that would
sacrifice their interests at this time.
He was willing, however, to dispense
with minor details and indicated his in.
tention to demand only an arbitration
board which should be selected fairly
to the interests of both parties to the
controversy.
Differences Will Be Resolved.
While the feeling among those who
are familiar with the position taken
by Mr. Mitchell is not rich in optimism
it is generally believed that the diff
ferences existing between the miners
and oncrators will be resolved finally.