The Nome nugget., 1902-10-18
STRIKE PROBLEM In Anthracite Coal Re- zion Still UnSOIyed. PRESIDENTS HAND "A Second Conference Is Held After the Failure of the
 First.
PRESIDENTS HAND

Washington, Oct. j. In an earnest effort to expedite the adjustment of the coal strike problem, another confer ence over the situation was held at the White house today and adjourned alter three hours deliberation. No state ment was given out as to the cunclG- sions reached and every participant absolutely refused to discuss what had taken place during the morning. The conference was called for today although it was Sunday. in view of the eXtraordi of speedy solution of the question. Beside the president there were pres ent at the conference Secretary Root, Secretary Moody, Attorney General Knox, Postmaster General Payne and Commissioner of Labor Carroll D. Wright The last named was sum moned to attend the conference because of his expert knowledge of the region of the anthracite coal fields, and be- cause of his personal investigation of the conditions there which he made some months ago at the instance of the president.
 It was notable that only four of the members of the cabinet were present. This however. wasowin. to the fact that three of these four were lawyers, and the issue involved was one which should be for the deliberation of trained legal minds. The fourth cabinet officer, Postmaster General Payne. has taken prominent part in the preliminary conference over the coal situation which led up to the conference with railroad presidents and miners representatives Friday, and besides, has had d lifelong identification with corporate interests which are involved in the present ques- tion. The fact that Mr. Payne also has been one of the closest advisors, for many years in the national councils of his party, likewise is important in con nection with this personnel of the con ference. It began shortly after 10 o'clock this morning, the time fixed by the president.
 Phy sicians Pay Call.
 When those who were to participate arrived at the White House in a drizz- ling rain, they found Surgeon Gen. Pixey, of the navy, and Dr. Lung, the president physician, already there. making the morning call on the dis tinguished patient. They caused de- lay of a few minutes. When the two physicians left it was reported that the presidents condition was progressing satisfactorily.
 Expressing his views at the outset of the conference, the president talked earnestly and with deep feeling. His voice at times could be heard down stairs. Several times during the con ference Secretary Cortelyou was sum moned into the room and directed to prepare certain matters for the cOnsd- eration of the president and his ad- visers. This was taken to indicate that some action of one nature or another was about to be consummated.
 When the conference adjourned, few minutes before o'clack, all those who had joined in it declined to talk. Every member of the cabinet and Col. Wright was pledged by the president to absolute secrecy as to what had oc- cured within the conference room.
 Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 5.-The be- ginning of the twenty-second week of the strike shows no material change in the situation. The operators told President Roosevelt on Friday that l5 per cent of normal production was being mined. President Mitchell to- day denied that such number of men were mining coal.
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