The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-10-15
REFUSES TO DISCUSS
AFFAIR With PRESS
u Is Thought Nothing viii Come Of the
Conference.-The the Mining Regions
Feeling Appears to Be That the Right
Plan Has Not Yet Been Found
Roosevelt Makes No Statement and
the Public Is Left in the Dark.
[BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, Oct. Is.-John Mitchell,
president of the United Mine Workers
association, arrived in Washington at
nay today in response to an invitation
of President Roosevelt to meet him in
conference relative to the proposal of the
anthracite mining operators for the ap-
pointment of commission to investigate
and settle the coal strike.
Mr.. Mitchell was not accompanied by
the district presidents as he was upon
his former trip.
Mr.. Mitchell, upon the arrival of the
train, proceeded leisurely with other pas
sengers to the waiting room. He was met
there by no one except delegation of re-
porters, whom he received with some
what melancholy smile. He shook hands
with all of them, but volunteered no re-
marks. He remained in the depot wait
ing-room about s minutes, but absolutely
declined to reply to any question, the an
swer to which might throw light upon
his present intentions or future move
mcnts.
He Will Not Talk.
"Can you say anything at all bearing
upon the situation?"
Il cannot was the reply; "and if
should have anything to say later, will
make my statement to all alike"
Leaving the railroad station, Mr..
Mitchell proceeded to Pennsylvania ave-
nue., where he took an elevated car for
the White house. On the street car he
was not only reserved, but apparently his
mind was much pre-occupied. He chewed
an unlighted cigar and replied to ques-
tions in monosyllables. When he alighted
from the street car at Jackson place and
saw a crowd of about 20 or 80 newspaper
men in front of the temporary White
house, he said:
"Are they always there?"
Mr.. Mitchell walked to the treasury de-
partment, where he went into conference
with Commissioner of Immigration Sar-
gent. He appeared to be more cheerful
than when he entered the White house.
but still maintained his reticence. He de-
clined to say whether he had submitted
any counter propositions to the president
or to indicate whether or not he would
make a 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 so train.
Mr.. Mitchell reached the temporary
White House at 1850 a. m. He was
shown directly into the Office of Secretary
Cortelyou.
At the White House.
After the exchange of greetings Secre-
tary Cortelyou invited Mr.. Mitchell to
proceed with him at once to the parlor
of President Roosevelt on the second
floor of the mansion. 1t was stated on
authority that Mr.. Mitchell received last
night an invitation by telegraph from
President Roosevelt to visit him at Wash
ington at his earliest convenience.
Prior to the arrival of Mr.. Mitchell
the president was engaged busily in con-
ferences with his advisers.
Secretary Root was an early caller and
was in conference with the president for
about an hour. AS he left the White
House Mr.. Root while taking generally
an optimistic view of the situation, said
that some obstacles had arisen in the way
of settlement of the strike. These, he
believed, would be overcome. Just how
dicate, and he did not say what the ma
ture of the obstacle was.
Talked With the President.
Subsequently Carroll D. Wright and
Frank Sargent, commissioner of immigra-
ton, went into conference with the presi-
dent. Commissioner Sargent remained
only brief time. When he left the White
House he declined to discuss his inter
view with the president. Col Wright had
Continued on Page Three)
- -.