The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-06
ROOSEVELT HAS
 SECRET MEETING Another Strike Conference Held at the White House SOME THING HAS HAPPENED Members of Cabinet Who Were Pres snt Were Sworn to Secrecy,
 and Not Word Was
 Given Out.
 
SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED

Washington, October b.-In an earnest effort to expedite the adjustment Of the coal strike problem another conference over the situation was held at the white house today and adjourned after three hours of deliberation. No statement was given out as to the conclusions reached and every participant absolutely refused to discuss what had taken place during the meeting. The conference was called for today, although 1t was Sunday, in view of the extraordinary importance to the American people of a speedy solution of the question.
 Besides the President there were pres ent at the conference Secretary of War Root, Secretary of the Navy Moody, Att torney General Knox, Postmaster Gen eral Payne and Carroll D. Wright, United States commissioner of labor. The last named was summoned to attend the con- ference on account of his expert knowl- edge of the situation in the anthracite coal fields and because of his personal investigation of the conditions there which he made some months ago at the in stance of the President. It was notable that only four of the members of the cabinet were present. This, however was significant only that three of these four were lawyers and that the issue ln- volved was one which called for the de- liberation of trained legal minds. Ine fourth cabinet officer, Postmaster Gen. eral Payne, had taken prominent part In the preliminary conferences over the coal situation which led up to the conference with the railroad presidents and miners representatives Friday and besides mas life long Identification with corporate interests which are involved in the pres ent question.
 A Political Tinge.
 The fact that MT. Payne also has neen one of the advisers for many years III +he national councils of his party hke- wise is important in connection Wltn the uer,sonnel of the conference. lr ptssh shortly after 10 o'clock this morning the time fixed by the President. When those who were to participate arrived at the ,,,hi+e house in a drizzling rain, they found Surgeon General Rixey of the navy ana Dr. Lung, the Presidents physician already there making the morning cal on the distinguished patient. This caused Q delay of few minutes. when the two physicians left it was reported that inc Presidents condition was progressing satisfactorily and that there "ere "o untoward developments.
 The President, in expressing ms views .t the outset of the conference, talked earnestly and showed deep ieelins. His voice at times could be heard ooWh stairs Several times during the con ference Secretary Cortelyou was sum moned into the room and directed to pre- aara certain matters for the consldera- t,on of the President and of his advisers. r,bis was taken to indicate that some o+ion of one nature of another was ahout to be consummateu
 When the conference adjourned a few rninutes before 1 o'clock all those "ho had joined in it declined to talk. Every o.,,ser .la. of the cabinet and Colonel yVrient. the only outsider who was pres ent was pledged by the President to ab- eolute secrecy as to what nad occurred within the conference room. The utmost efforts were made to guard against pup licity. Even the Presidential summons to the conference had been made In very ouiet and carefully guarded way. Not since the Spanish war has there been such reticence shown at conference or this character.
 Can Only Draw Conclusions.
 Finder the circumstances 1t is almost impossible to do more than draw the most general of conclusions as to the nature of the proceedings based upon what preceded the meeting. The known facts are that the President has reached the conclusion that he has nothing 10 expect save refusal from further ap- peal to the coal operators. and therefore has decided to look for relief rom the situation to the miners side.
 He feels that he can hardly expect them to make the sacrifice Of all their contentious without holding out at least a promise of some return, and the ques- ton before him is as to his abiilty 10 do this He can pledge himself to appeal to congress to examine into the justice of the miners complaints and remedy them so far as lies in the power or the legislative branch, backed by the earn est good will of the executive. ALSO ne can suggest to Governor Stone Of Penn svlvania that he cause the Pennsylvania legislature likewise to make an inquiry perhaps hastening the usual methods py calling an extra session. But these pledges would be given only on condition that the men go at once into the mines and get out with all speed the coal TOT which the people are suffering.
 To adopt this course means the con- tinuance of the policy of exerting moral Buasion to end the strike. It is certain that thus far the President has not found A single one of his constitutional ad- yisors who would suggest any departure from this policy, no one could find a method sanctioned by law or constitu- the use of durell against either the op- the use of duress against e-her the op- orators or the miners
 Propositions Prepared.
 so 1t is believed that today's confer anee was called by the President with inc purpose of putting in exact shape inc details of a plan conceived in its rough outlines and even before the de- narture of President Mitchell last Fri dav from the mixed conference. The three hours spent in consultation today were none too long to put into form the twin propositions; enc to the miners or earizafion and the other to Governor Stone and the fact that Secretary Cor telyou was called on to prepare one or more statements at the direction of the president is taken as an indication that .nessages were sent out at the end oi fhe conference today and that the re- ticence o& all of the parties is explain able nerhaps Bx their desire to avoid the f5,scutherh of n,>blishinf. trTe nature of lhe,tei buildl. 'sey gre received by She
 nse1 sacard paoe,