Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-06
Peace Covenant Must Be with the Ner
Who Are Out.
INVESTIGATION OFFERED IN RETURN
Federal and State Governments to Institute
Inquiry.
THIS IS THE CoNEcTURED RESOLVE
President's CounseIIors So Extremely
secietive that Press Can only Give
supposed Result OF sundays
Earnest Consultation.

WASHINGTON, Oct. Sin an earnest
effort to expedite the adjustment Of the
coal strike problem, another conference
over the situation was held at the White
House today and adjourned after three
hours Of deliberation. No statement was
given out as to the conclusions reached
and every participant absolutely refused to
discuss what had taken place during the
meeting.
The conference was called for today al
though 1t was Sunday in view Of the ex-
traordinary Importance to the American
people OF a speedy solution of the question.
Besides the president there were present
at the conference Secretary Of War Root,
Secretary OF the Navy Moody, Attorney
General Knox, Postmaster General Payne
and Carroll d. Wright. United States COM
missioner Of labor. The last named was
summoned to attend the conference on ac>
count of his expert knowledge Of the situa-
tion in 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
Four of the members OF the cabinet were
present, and three OF these four were law
yers, the issue involved being one which
called for the deliberation of trained legal
minds. The fourth cabinet officer, POST
master General Payne, has taken a promi-
nent part In the preliminary conferences
over the coal situation which led up to the
conference with the railroad presidents and
miners representatives Friday, and besides.
has had lifelong Identification with cor
porate interests which are involved in the
present question. The fact that Mr. Payne
also has been one of the closest advisers
for many years In the national councils
of his party likewise is important in con-
nection with the personnel OF the confer
ence.
Doctors First Call.
It began shortly after 10 o'clock this
morning the time fixed by the president.
when those who were to participate ar
rived at the White House, In a drizzling
rain, they found Surgeon General Rixey OF
the navy and DIR. Lung. the presidents
physician already there, making the morn
ing call on the distinguished patient. Fffis
caused delay OF few minutes. When
the two physicians left 1t was reported that
the presidents condition was progressing
satisfactorily and that there were no un-
toward developments.
The president. in expressing his views at
the outset OF the conference, talked ear
nestly and showed a deep feeling. His
voice at times could be heard downstairs.
retary Cortelyou was summoned into the
room and directed to prepare certain mat
ters for the consideration Of the president
and OF his advisers. This was taken to
indicate that some action Of one nature
or another was about to be consummated.
When the conference adjourned a few
minutes before / o'clock all those who had
Joined 1t declined to talk. Every member
of the cabinet and Colonel Wright, the
only outsider who was present. was pledged
TO the president to absolute secrecy as to
what had occurred within the conference
room. The utmost efforts were made to
guard against publicity. Even the presi-
Dental summons to the conference had been
made in a very quiet and carefully guarded
way. Not since the Spanish war has there
been such reticence shown at conference
of this character as was observed today
Possible Plan.
In this state Of absolute reticence Of
the parties to the conference II is almost
impossible to do more than draw the most
general OF conclusions as to the nature OF
the proceedings, based upon what preceded
the meeting. The known facts are that
the president has reached the conclusion
that he mas nothing save refusal to expect
from further appeal to the coal operators
ana therefore, mas utCluSu 10 lOOh 10 tue
miners side for relief from the situation.
lie feels that he hardly can expect them to
make the sacrifice Of all OF their conten-
tions without holding out at least promise
OF some return, and the question before him
is as TO his ability to do this. He can
pledge himself to appeal to congress to
examine into the Justice Of the miners
complaints and remedy them so far as lies
in the power OF the legislative branch,
backed by the earnest good will Of the
executive. Also he can suggest to Gov
ernor Stone Of Pennsylvania that he cause
the Pennsylvania legislature likewise to
make an inquiry, perhaps Fastening the
usual methods by calling an extra session.
But these pledges would be given only on
condition that the men go at once into
the mines and get out. with all speed. the
coal for which the people are suffering.
To adopt this course means the continu-
Rnce OF the policy OF exerting moral suasion
TO end the strike. II is certain that thus
far the president has not found a single
one Of his constitutional advisers who could
suggest any departure from this policy;
no one could find a method sanctioned by
law or constitution which promised reliei
and involved the use OF duress against
either the operators or the miners
Arranging the Details.
So Il is believed that tOday's conference
was called by the president with the pur-
pose OF putting in exact shape the details
Of a plan conceived in its rough outlines
even before the departure OF President
Mitchell last Friday from the mixed con
ference. The three hours spent in con
Bultation today were none too long to put
Into form the twin propositions; one 10 tn,
miners organization aud the other to Gov
ernor stone. and the fact that Secretary
Cortelyou was called on to prepare one ol
more statements at the direction Of tn,
president is taken as an indication tha
messages were sent out at the end Of The
conference today. and that the retieenc'
OF all Of the parties is explainable per
haps by their desire to avoid the discour
tesy Of publishing the nature OF these be
fore they are received by the persons 4