The Minneapolis journal., 1902-10-15
4 CONFERENCE :.. (. !. 4. !: ::
WITH ROOSEVELT
The President, With Labor Commits
sioner Wright, Has a Talk
With MITCHELL. 49,,
---- >. IS!
They Confer for a Little Over an
Hour, but Nothing Is
Given Out. ~ .|-,,=.. q s-sss u


president of the United Mine Workers as
sociation, arrived in Washington over the
Pennsylvania railroad at 11:27 a. m. to- =
day in response to the invitation, of Pres
ident Roosevelt to meet him in conference
relative to the proposal of the anthracite
mining operators for the appointment of a
commission to investigate and settle the :
coal strike. Mr.. Mitchell had no travel
ing companion except a newspaper man
who had accompanied him from Wilkes
barre. = =. LIZ 80;
/ Mr. Mitchell left his seat promptly upon
the arrival of the train and proceeded
leisurely with the other passengers over
the long platform from the rear of the
train to the waiting room. He was met
there by no one except a delegation Of
reporters whom he received with a some-
what melancholy smile! He remained in
the raiiroad waiting room for ten or fit-
teen minutes, but absolutely declined to
reply to any question, the answer to which
might throw light upon his present inten-
/ tons or future froYements, HeSeVen de-
+ c1ined to say whether there had Been any
change in the situation since last night
or where he meant to stop In Washington
after leaving the White House. ." go.
Il can only say now he said in reply
to many questions, that I shall go direct
to the White House but what my move
the PRESIDENT cannot state:" - :
Can you say anything at all bearing
upon the situation?'' :-' - y -
II cannot" was the reply, .t'and II r
should have anything: to say: later Twill
make my statements to all alike - .%; J.
Leaving the railroad station Mr. Mitchell
still accompanied by mis- reportorial es-
cort, proceeded to Pennsylvania avenue
where he took electric car for the
White House. He brought no baggage
except that contained in small va4ise
and this, with his heavy overcoat, he car.
ried with him to the executive mansion.
On the street car he was not only re-
served but apparently his mind was much
preoccupied. He chewed an unlighted
cigar and replied to questions in mono
syllables. When he alighted from, the
street car at Jackson place and saw g.
| crowd Of about twenty or thirty newspa-
per men in front Of the temporary White
House he asked: " s.'-,- I
Are they always there?' :. = : .,s2-.
The journey from Wilkesbarre " was
without incident. Mr.. Mitchell received a
message inviting him to Washington
| about II o'clock last night, the train leaN-:
ing Wfkesbarre at 8 o'clock was the first
one out and he took it. On the train he
talked very little and declined positively
to discuss the strike situation. Cons
paratiVely few persons on the train were
aware of Mr.. Mitchell's identity and he
was allowed to spend most Of his time in
uninterrupted reflection upon the situa-
ton. , '->. r: - IT,. : --sgst
At the temporary White House there
was an air Of suppressed excitement.
There was large gathering of newspaper
| men down stairs and several hundred peo-
pie were collected outside awaiting the.
coming Of the strike leader. Soon after
the arrival of Secretary Cortelyou, <SecS
retary Root appeared and went immedi-.
ately up stairs to the presidents room,
where he was soon Joined by Representa-
| tive Serene Payne, of New York. and
| Commissioner Of Labor Carroll D. Wright.
| The conference began shortly before 10.
Secretary Root left the White House at
11:10 after an hours conference. AS he
| was leaving he stated that while there
were no new developments there were
| some obstacles which would have to be
| cleared before the end would be in sight.
He said he believed, however, that the diff
| ficulties in the way Of a settlement could
| be- removed. Mr.. Mitchell arrived here
at 11:27 a. m. over the Pennsylvania. He.
went direct to the White House., Before
| he was shown up into the presidents
room, Representative Payne of New York
had taken his departure but Commissioner
| Of Labor Wright remained and was with
the president when Mr.. Mitchell entered
| the room. Soon after the conference.
began, Speaker Henderson appeared at the
| White House to pay his respects to the
president and the president sent word to
| have him come up stairs. Speaker Hem
derson was with the president only a few
minutes. After he left the conference
| upon sthe strike situation proceeded, there
being present. President Roosevelt, Mr..
Mitchell and Mr.. Wright Mr.. Mitchell
left the White House at 1885 p. M, having
been with the president little over an
| hour He went to the office of Frank r.
Sargent, commissioner of immigration,
While here he will be the guest of DR.
David T. Day Of the geological survey.
Mr.. Mitchell walked to the treasury de-.
partment where he went into conferences.
with Commissioner Of immigration Sar-s
gent. He appeared to be more cheerful.
than when he entered the White House..
but still maintained his reticence. He
declined to say whether he had submitted;
any counter propositions to the presidents
| or to indicate whether or not he would
make statement. He said, however,
that he expected to see the president
again at 3 o'clock and hoped to be able to.
| return to Wilkesbarre on the 4:5O train
/ Is No statement will be given out at the:
White House OF the progress Of the con~i
$