The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-10-10
EFFORTS TO SETTLE STRIKE
4 NUMBER OF CONFERENCES
 HELD IN NEW FORK.

tor PIatt's Ofhee-Conferees Very Re-
 ticient as to What Occurred-One
 Opinion That the Outlook is Very
 Hopeful-Governor OdelI Declines to
 Give Information,
 New York, Oct. 9.-Numerous confer ences looking to the settlement of the anthracite coal miners strike were held in this city to-day, but tonight at 10 o'clock there was no evidence given to the public that any results had been reached. Rumors of settlement flew thick and fast but when any one of the conferees was approached the almost invariable answer to questions concern ing the consultations was: T have nothing to say" The conferences are still going on tonight but the impress sion prevails that if any basis of set tlement is reached it will not be an- nounced until tomorrow, following meeting to be held at Senator Platt's dowp-town office at 10 o'clock.
 The story of the day really centers about the meeting held this afternoon at Mr Platts office. Present at this meeting were Governor Odell, Senators Quay and Penrose, of Pennsylvania; Senator Platt, President Olyphant, of the Delaware and Hudson; President Fowler of the Ontario and Western: President Truesdale, of the Lackawan- ma; Chairman Thomas, of the Erie; John Markle representing the inde- pendent operators; David Wilcox, vice. president and general counsel of the Delaware and Hudson; David Lamar and Edward Lauterbach. At the con- clusion of the meeting none present would say what had taken place or whether any solution of the strike trou- ble had been reached.
 This conference followed one held in the forenoon in Senator Platt's office with present Senators Quay and Pen rose, Governor Odell, Edward Lauter- bach and Senator Platt. The conferees were very reticent as to the subjects under discussion there. Governor Odell afterward had luncheon at the lawyers club with Senators Quay and Penrose.
 Following luncheon the three, with Senator Penrose's secretary, returned to Senator Platt's office. They entered by means of the cellar and the Church street entrance, threading their way through a mass of boxes and bales of merchandise. At o'clock they were joined by the operators of the coal mines and the most important confer ence of the day was held. MT. Lauter- bach went back and forth from the of flee and made trip to MT. Morgan's office. He did not see Mir. Morgan and went back to the conference room. MT. Lauterbach replied to questions by say ing that appearances looked very hope ful for a speedy settlement of the strike. He said he had seen President John Mitchell Wednesday night and that he seemed disposed to act with spirit of fairness The conference ended about 4:30 o'clock. President Fowler was the first to leave, the other operators fol- lowing him. The coal road presidents referred all inquirers to the senators and Governor Odell.
 ''I have nothing to say; there's noth- ing to be said" was Governor Odells answer to a question. Senator Quay likewise had nothing to say. Senator Platt was the last to leave his office. "I don't think can say anything" he said. I'm too tired. There will be further meetings tomorrow. That is all can say at present"
 Vice President Wilcox, of the Dela- ware and Hudson, like others, refused to talk.
 Although President Mitchell had had ,,o onfi0ne were anxiously awaited. Eearlyl in the day he was joined at the Ashland house by ex-State Senator Moses W. Solomon, of Chicago The Chicagoan has so far refused to disclose his mis- sion, saying he was merely "messen- ger''
 During the morning MT. Mitchell had a long conference with his three dis trict presidents. Afterward District President Nichols had this to say:
 "Unless the demands of the strikers are granted in full, do not see how President Mitchell can settle the strike without calling a convention. If only a part of the demands are granted, that would render 1t necessary to call con- vention and that would take two weks at least"
 Late in the afternoon President Mitchell and the district presidents had another conference at the Ashland house MT. Nichols said that his asso- ciates had not considered any formal or informal proposition from the oper- ators. He said that the strike might be settled by Monday. but intimated that this was improbable.
 Oscar S. Straus, a member of the con- ciliatien committee of the National Civic Federation, called on President Mitchell late in the afternoon. On leaving Mir Straus said: President Mitchell wanted to see me, but the ob- iect of my visit I cannot make pulp lie"
 General Benjamin F Tracy, Albert B. Boardman and D. H. Bacon, presi- dent of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company called on President Mitchell in the evening.
 From what may be described as an inside and authoritative source it may be announced that the conference at the office of Senator Platt was abso- lutely without result. the operators re- fusing to consider the political aspect of the situation and maintaining the position that the question was one be- tween employer and employe as to the management of the properties con- cerned.
 According to the authority above in- dicated, Senatcr Quay and Governor