Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-06
The PRESIDENT
Has Another Important Confer
ence on Coal Strike.
Spends Three Hours in Discussing
Situation With His Advisers.
Feeling at Washington That There Is
Something Coming.

| Washington. Oct. Sin an earnest ef-
coal strike problem another conference
over the situation was held 1T the
White House. today and adjourned af-
| ter three hours of deliberation. No
statement was given out as to the con-
illusions reached and every participant
absolutely refused to discuss what had
taken place during the meeting. The
conference was called for today. al
though it was Sunday. in view of the
extraordinary importance to the Ameri
can people of a solution Of the question.
BESIDES the President there were
present Secretary of the War Root,
Secretary of the Navy Moody. Attorney
General Knox. Postmaster General
Payne aud COL. Carroll ID. Wright
United States commissioner OF labor.
The last named was summoned To at
tend the conference account OF his eX
pert knowledge Of the situation i'll the
anthracite coal fields and because of his
personal investigation OF the conditions
there which he made some months ago
at the instance OF the President
1t was notable that only four of tbs
members OF the cabine' were present.
This. however was significant only Of
the fact that three of these four wer,
lawyers and that the issue involved
was one which called for the delibera-
tion of trained legal minds.
The fourth cabinet officer. Postmaster
General Payne, has taken 4 prominent
part in the preliminary conferences
over the coal situation which led up to
the conference with the railroad prcsi-
dents and the miners representatives.
Friday, and besides has had life long
identification with corporate interests
which arc involved in the present uues-
ton. The fact that Mr.. Payne also has
been one of the closest advisers for
inany years in the national councils of
his party likewise is important in con-
nection with the personnel of the con-
ference.
Ii began shortly after 10 o'clock this
morning. the time fixed by the Presi-
dent. When those who were TO partici-
pate arrived at the White House in a
dIizzling rain. they found Surgeon Gen
eral Rixey Of the navy. and DR.. Lung,
the Presidents physician already there
making the morning call on the distin-
;suished patient. This caused q delay
of "a few minutes. When the TWO ply
sicigns left it Was reported that The
Presidents condition was progressing
salts factorily and there were no oul-
ward developments.
The Pro silent, in expressing his
views at tho outset Of the conference
talked earnestly, and showed deep
feeling His voice at times could be
heard down stairs. Several times dur
In, no. Secretary t'OrtniyD1I
vas summoned into the room and d-
reCted to prepare certain matters for
the consideration Of the President and
his ADVISERS. This was taken to indi-
cate that some action of one nature or
another was about to be contaminated.
When the conference adjourned Il
few minutes before l o'clock. all those
,yho had joined in it declined to talk.
Every member of the cabinet and Col
Wright, the only outsider who was
present. was pledged to the President
to absolute secrecy as to what had oc
CURED within the conference room.
The utmost efforts were made to
guard against publicity. just rs the
Presidential summons which called the
conference had been made in IA very
quiet and carefully guarded way. Not
since the Spanish war mas tneFc Deeh
such reticence shown ut q conference
Of such Il character ms was observed,
today.
In this state of absolute reticence Of
every one of the parties 10 the confer
ence it was almost impossible TO do
more than draw the most general Of
conclusions as to the nature of the
proceedings. based upon what proceed
ed the meeting. The known facts are
that the President has reached the
conclusion that he has nothing to eS-
pcct save refusal from - further APP
peal to the coal operators and there
fore has decided TO look for relief from
"a situation which in his view is fast
growing intolerable. to the miners
side.
He feels that he hardly can expect
them to make the sacrifice of all OF
their contentious without holding out
at least a promise Of some return, and
the question before him is as to his
ability to do this. He can pledge him
self TO appeal to Congress to examine
CONTINUED an mage 81