The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-10

cation Into In Conditions.
Washington October 5.-In an earnest
effort to expedite the adjustment Of the
coal strike problem, another conference
On the situation was held at the
White House today,and adjourned after
three hours Of elaboration. No state
men was given out as to the conclu
sions reached and every participant abb
solutely refused to discuss what had
taken place during the meeting. The
conference was called for today, al
though it was Sunday. i'll view of the
extraordinary Importance to The Amer
can people of a speedy solution OF the
question. Beside the president, there
were present Secretaries Root and
Moody, Attorney General Knox, Post
master General Payne and Carroll d.
Wright, United States Commissioner OF
Labor. The last named was summoned
to attend the conference on account of
his expert knowledge. Only four mem
bers of the cabinet were present.
Three of these four were lawyers and
the issue involved was n which call
ed for the elaboration of trained legal
minds. The fourth cabinet officer,
Postmaster General Payne, has taken
a prominent part in the preliminary
conferences over the coal situations,
and besides has had a. lifelong identifi-
cation with corporate int crest which are
involved in the present question. the
conference began shortly after 10 o'clock
this morning, the time fixed by the
president. When those who were to
participate arrived at the White -Touse
they were delayed a few minutes, ow-
ing to physicians making their morning
call. When the two physicians left, 1t
was. reported that the president S condi-
ton was progressing satisfactorily and
that there were no unt0ward develop
mentS.
The president in expressing his views
at the outset of today's conference,
talked earnestly n showed a deep
feeling. His voice at times could be
heard down stairs. Several times dur
ing the conference Secretary Cortelyou
was summoned into the room and di-
rected to prepare certain matters for
the consideration Of the president n
his advisors. This was taken to indi-
cate that some action was about to be
consummated. When the conference
adjourned a few mlnu-eS before I
o'clock, all those who had joined in de-
clined to talk. all being pledged by the
president to absolute secrecy. The ut
most efforts were made 20 guard against
publicity. Not since the Spanish war
had there been sue reticence shown at a
conference of such a character as was
observed today.
1t is therefore, almost lmp0s sible to
do more han draw the most general OF
conclusions as to the nature of the pro-
ceedings, based upon what preceded the
meeting. The known facts are that the
president has reached the conclusion
that he has nothing to expect save re-
fusa from a further appeal to the coal
operators, and therefore has decided to
look for relief from a situation which,
in his view. is growing intolerable to
the miners side. He feels that he
hardly can expect them to make the
sacrifice of all of their contentious with
out holding out at least a promise of
some return. and the question before
him is as to his ability to do this. He
can pledge himself to appeal to con-
gress to examine into the justice Of the
miners complaints and remedy them so
far as lies in the power of the legisla-
tive branch, backed by the earnest good
will OF the executive. Also, he can sug-
gest to Governor Stone, Oh P hnsylva-
mia, that he cause the Pennsylvania
legislature likewise to make an inquiry,
perhaps fastening the usual methods
by calling an extra session. But these
pledges would be given only en- condi-
ton that the men go at once INTO the
mines and get out with oil speed the
coal for which the people are suffering.
To adopt this course means the con-
~tinuance of the policy Of exert;ug moral
suasion to end the strike. 1t is certain
found a single one Of his constitutional
advisers who could suggest any depart
ure from this policy: no n could find
a method sanctioned by law or conSti-
tuition which promised Keller and in
volved the use of durass against the
operators or the miners. So it is believ-
ed that today's conference was called
putting in exact shape the details of a
plan conceived in its rough outline
even before the departure of President
Mitchell, last Friday afternoon, from
b mixed conference.
The three hours spent in the c~onsulta-
ton today We're none too long to put
into form the twin propositions: one to
the miners organization and the other
to Governor Stone, and the fact that
Secretary Cortelyou was called on to
prepare one or more statements at the
direction of the president. is taken as
an indication that messages were sent
out at the end of the conference today
III lAdl thC "S Poi-
ties is explanable perhaps by their de-
sire to avoid the discourtesy Of publish.
ing the naure of these before they are
received by the persons TO whom they
are addressed. as well as by a wish to
cap the complication Of the negotia-
lions by heated public discussion at
this time. That the parties to the con-
ference feel that they nave accomplish
ed something was made evident by the
expression by one of them Of a belief
that the miners will soon be at work.
Mr.. Sargant With the President.
Washington, October 6.-There is only
one development of Importance in the
coal strike situation toby. Frank p
Sargent, commissions Of Immigration
and for many years chief OF The Broth
erhood of Locomotive Firemen had q