The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-01

WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. 30.-The
president today took initiative steps to
ascertain what, if anything, could be
done by federal authority to settle the
coal strike. The result was a conclu-
sion that there was no law warrant
Ing federal interference in the strike.
At the temporary White house con-
ference was held with three cabinet Of
1cers, Attorney General Knox, Secre-
tary Moody and Postmaster General
Payne Gov. Crane, of Massachusetts,
also was present. These gentlemen met
with President Roosevelt first and after
the subject had been considered for
some time they adjourned to another
room and conferred together for an
hour. They all returned later in the
day and held another conference with
the president and the strike situation
was discussed further.
President Roosevelt is deeply con-
cerned over the situation. The ap-
proach of winter, with a coal famine
Ing that must ensue unless coal be-
comes available, presents a situation
which he thinks should receive the at
tention of the administration If there
is anything that can be done by the
government Many appeals have been
made to him and many suggestions
have been received by him, and it was
with view to ascertaining what pow
fa1a NIL Nn111H nWnlxn
that caused the conference to be held.
No Cause for Interference.
During the conference every phase
of the situation was discussed. The
general opinion of the advisors of the
president was that the situation did
not present a case in which there could
be federal interference by any warrant
Of law. There has been no interfer-
ence with federal authority in the min
ing region, either by stoppage of the
mails or resistance of the United States
court process. 1t was pointed out that
there was no occasion for the use of
federal troops, as Gov Stone, of Penn
sylvania had not called on the govern
ment for assistance, nor had he even
exhausted the resources Of the state by
calling out the full strength of the
state militia.
The question of the right to seek ap-
pointment of receivers for the mines in
order that they might be operated was
discussed but neither in the constitu-
ton nor In any known law could any
legal warrant be found for such action,
though the discussion on such lines
even went so far as the consideration of
how the properties could be relin-
quiShed and control surrendered after
the object Of supplying coal had been
accepted, assuming the federal gov
ernment could intervene through re-
ceivers. The tenor of the whole dis
cuSsion was to the effect that there
was a lack of power in the federal ad-
mtnistration to take any action at the
present stage of the strike, although
the seriousness of the coal famine now
and the much greater evils soon to
follow were considered at length and
with wish to discover some method
of ending the industrial deadlock
Action of Massachusetts.
Gov. Cranes presence naturally
brought into prominence the proceed
lngs begun in the Massachusetts courts
to secure the appointment of receiv-
ers for the coal properties, but the
opinion was expressed that the situa-
ton could not be met successfully by
this method.
During the day advices were received
that the strike might be settled by the
operators and the miners themselves
and it was suggested that hasty inter-
ference of any kind by the federal gov
ernment might prevent the consumma-
ton of the plans for a strike settle
ment, if any such were maturing
While recognizing the futility of ef-
forts to end the strike that could ac-
compliSh nothing, it was stated that
the president was anxious that the
end of the strike should be brought
about at the earliest possible moment
and that if the attorney general or any
other member of the cabinet could de-
wise a method by which the president
could proceed he would not hesitate
to adopt it unless meanwhile assur-
ances of a settlement were received
After tonights meeting Gov. Crane left
Washington for Massachusetts.
The conference will be resumed to-
morrow, at which time Secretary Root
who spent today in New York. will be
present. 1t is understood that the visit
of Secretary Root to New York was fol-
the purpose Of consulting prominent
business men on the subject The
secretary left for New York Monday
after a short conference at the white
house when the same men were pres
ent who were at today's conference.
May Send for Operators.
1t has been intimated that the presi-
dent may send for the managers OF
the coal properties, but this will not be
done until after the conference tomor-
row, and perhaps not then
Some confidence is expressed in the
report which Secretary Root may
bring from New York, though it could
not be learned what communication, il
any, had been received from the sec
retary while he was in New York. He
reached Washington from there about
10 o'clock tonight, but denied himself tc
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