The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-11
Operators Refuse to Give an Increase of 5 Gents
 a Ion
MITCHELL LEAVES TODAY
 FOR CENTER OF TROUBLE
Governor odeII Feels That He Has Done All In Ills Power to
 AmicabIy Settle the Strike.

NeW 1ork October 1.-After two days of conference between the anthracite coal mine operators on one side and the governor and senior senator of New York and the two senators from Pennsylvania on the other the strike of the United Mine Workers of America Is apparently as far from a settlement as the day 1t was declared. Governor Odell laid before the operators today the proposition that if they would concede to the miners an advance of five cents ton in the price paid for mining coal he would promise that the miners would resume work. Be- ing told further that the concession would carry with it recognition of the miners union, the operators promptly re- fused to entertain the proposition, and took their leave Later in the day they and the Pennsylvania senators left the city, the latter going to Harrisburg.
 John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America, announced his intention of leaving the city early tomor- row morning, his destination being Wilkesbarre. MT. Mitchell took no part in any of the conference.-the being in New York, 1t is understood, in order that he
 
 reached a stage where his decision for the miners would be required.
 Governor Odell feels that he has done all that is possible for him to do under existing laws toward bringing about termination of the strike. He would not say tonight whether not 1t was his intention to call the state legislature in extraordinary session to consider the en- actment of a law under which the con- ,ofxrrA fla the miners might be brought to an end. That, the governor said, was something he would not discuss at this time
 odeII Won't Talk.
 Governor Odell was not in a talking mood when he left the conference He went directly to the Fifth Avenue hotel, and during most of the afternoon received callers Mayor Low, Anson G. McCook, Edward Lauterbach, Congressman Less Ter and Littauer and Senator Platt were among his callers. To one of these the governor said:
 '"phese coal operators may postpone this matter until Tuesday, but don't propose to postpone it. They are not acting fairly towards the people. l believe l shall md some remedy"
 About o'clock John Mitchell, accom- panied by L. N. Hammerling of Wilkes barre. called and had a long conference.
 
 nouncing that the operators refused to consider the terms offered by the gover- nor was received.
 When the conference was over Governor Odel refused to say what had occurred, and MT. Mitchell was equally reticent. It is believed, however, that Governor Ooell presented his proposition for settle :nent to the leader of the miners union, and that MT. Mitchell said he would pre- sent 1t to the district presidents m the hope that it would be accepted.
 With the announcement that all the conferees except Governor Odell had left town some of the interest in the instter dropped. Governor Odell at late hour was asked whether he had deter mined on any further move. He said:
 T have not received any official no- tice of the rejection of our proposition
 Talk Extra Session.
 Has it been suggested that you call an extra session of the legislature?" he was asked.
 q have not thought of it as yet As said I am waiting for an answer from the operators
 The governor said tonight that he would go to Newburgh tomorrow to register and return here on Monday morning. Then he said he would again take up the matter actively if no decision was ar rived at by the miners and operators.
 He said further that Mr. Mitchell was eminently fair and showed every dis position to adjust the serious situation.
 There is nothing tonight to justify the assertion that negotiations will be re- stunned next Tuesday. As one of the coal presidents put it, the incident Is closed" 'The pubicists," said this gentleman. made number of suggestions, all of which we turned down. These included 10 per cent increase in pay, decrease of tun rI<i inc and fnt. of hn union, as well as a number of other prop ositions which we regard as equally un- debatable In fact we found it impossi- ble to negotiate with them and said so.
 What their step will be I cannot say, but they understand that we cannot be moved. I repeat we will not meet them again. It is frivolous and Is bound to result in further ill-feeing"
 Another operator said: Tt is not for us to consider mere matters of political expediency. Had so-called statesmen kept their hands off the strike would have been settled long ago. We have taken stand for principle and no amount of argument will budge us.
 Members Return Home.
 philadelphia, October 10-Senators Quay and Penrose arrived here from New York this evening and immediately disappeared. If was reported. but the rumor could not he verified, that they were in consulta- tion with President Cassatt of the Penn sylvania railroad until late hour
 Up to midnight Senator Quay had not anneared at the Hotel Walton. his stop hing place in this city. nor did he present himself at republican state headquarters. Shortly before the arrival of the sena- tors President Cassatt met President Baer of the Reading company on the lat ter's return from New York. After a brief conversation MT. Baer, went to his home.
 Senator Penrose was scheduled tonight to attend a meeting of business men at Pottsyille at which Secretary of the Treasury Shaw delivered an address. Mir. Penrose however. did not go to Potts vile. which adds strength to the belief that matters of importance pertaining to the miners strike were considered by the .anators after their arrival here.