New-York tribune., 1902-10-06
MEETING AT WHITE HOUSE


Of War Root Secretary OF the Navy Moody.
Attorney General Knox. Postmaster General
Payne ana Carroll ID. Wright United States
COMMISSIONS OF Labor. The last named was
summoned 20 attend the conference on account
OF his knowledge OF the situation in the an
thracite helds and because of his personal in
vestigation OF the conditions there. which he
made some months ago al the instance Of the
President
II was notable that only four Of the members
or the Cabinet were present This. however
was significant only Of the fact that three Of
these four were lawyers. and that the issue
involved was one which called for the dehbera-
tion OF trained legal minds The fourth Cab
inet officer. Postmaster General Payne, has
taken prominent part in the preliminary con-
ferenoes over the coal situation which led up TO
the conference with the railroad presidents and
the miners representatives on Friday and be-
sides has been identified with corporate inter
ests 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 ma
tiona councils OF his party likewise is important
in connection with the personnel Of the confer
ence
The conference began shortly after 10 o'clock
this morning. the time fixed by the President
When those who were 10 be present arrived at
the White House IN drizzline rain. they found
Surgeon General RiXey. OF the navy, and DR.
Lung, the Presidents physician, already there
making the morning call on their patient. This
caused delay Of few minutes When the
two physicians left il was reported that the
Presidents condition was satisfactory.
The President. I'm expressing his views at the
outset Of the conference talked earnestly, and
showed a deep feeling His voice al times could
be heard downstairs Several times dUrine IA"
conference Secretary Cortelyou was summoned
into the room and directed 10 prepare certain
matters for the consideration Of the President
and his advisers This was thought 20 indicate
that some action Of one nature or another was
about 20 he taken.
When the conference adjourned. a few min
utes before O'Clock all those who had Joined
Sn It declined 10 talk Every member Of the
Cabinet and Colonel Wright, the only outsider
who was present. was pledged by the President
20 absolute secrecy as % what had occurred
within the conference room. The utmost efforts
were made 20 guard against publicity, just as
the Presidential summons which called the con-
ference had been made In quiet and carefully
guarded way. Not since the spanish war has
there been such reticenoe shown at a conference
OF such a character as was observed to-day
MAY TURN TO THE MINERS.
In this state of absolute reticence OF every
one OF the parties TO the conference II Is al
most impossible 20 do more than to draw the
most general Of conclusions az 10 the nature of
the proceedings, based upon what preceded the
meeting. The known facts are that the Pres-
dent has reached the conclusion that he has
nothing TO expect save refusal from further
appeal 10 the coal operators. and therefore has
decided 10 look FOR relief from situation which
in his view is fast growing intoerable 10 the
miners side. He feels that he hardly can eN-
pect them 10 make the sacrifice Of all Of their
contentious without holding out al least a
promise Of some return, and the question be-
fore him is as TO his ability TO do this. He
can pledge himself 10 appeal TO Congress 70
examine into the Justice Of the miners com
plants and remedy them 50 far as lies In the
power OF the legislative branch. backed by the
earnest good viii Of the executive. Also he
suggest 10 Governor Stone. Of Pennsyl-
Nania, thai he cause the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture likewise 10 make an inquiry, perhaps
Fastening the usual methods by calling an eX-
tra session. These pledges would be given only
on condition that the men go al once into the
mines 70 get out with all speed the coal for
which the people are suffering.
To adopt this course means the continuance
or the policy OF eNertine moral suason 10 END
the strike II Is certain that thus far the Presi-
dent has not found a single one Of his constitu-
ttonal advisers who could suggest any departure
from this policy; no one could md method
sanctioned by Law or constitution which prom
ised RELIEF and involved the use Of duress against
either the operators or the miners
80 II Is believed that to-day's conference was
called BY the President with the purpose Of put
tng IN exact shape the details Of a plan con-
eelVed IN us rough outlines even before the
afternoon
from the mixed conference. The three hours
spent IN consultation to-day were none TOO
long 10 put into form the twin propositions, one
70 the miners organization and the other 10
Governor Stone and the fact that Secretary
Cortelyou was called on 10 prepare one or more
statements al the direction Of the President
is taken as an indication that messages were
sent out at the end of the conference today.
and that the reticenCe Of all Of the parties is
eNplainabe. perhaps. by their desire 10 avoid
the dlscourtesy Of publishing the nature Of these
before they are received by the persons 70 whom
they are addressed well as by a wish 10
escape the complication OF the negotiations by
heated public discussion at this stage That the
parties 70 the conference feel that they have
accomplished something made evident by
would shortly he work
MANY PLANS URGED.
One object OF the conference was 10 consider
some OF the propositions that have been sent 20
the President for settling the strike These
came from every section Of the country and a
large proportion Of them were from men Of
reputation. Al the same time IL is said that
the suggestions often are absurd and imprac-
ticable. Others, Offering a possible solution al
ready have received attention
Two constantly recurring propositions for fed
be sent into Pennsylvania for the protection OF
the men whom the operators employ and the
other that the mines be seized by the general
government, are rejected. matter by whom
urged. The frst conference developed the fac,
that no federal interference by force was pos
sible, and 10 that conclusion the President has
firmly held. Some Of the inpracticable proposi-
uons made are offers 10 lease coal mines in other
sectons OF the country 10 the government. so