The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-04

able hope that these matters could be ad-
justed between the parties IL did not seem
proper to me to intervene in any way. /
disclaim any right or duty to intervene in
this way on legal grounds or on any official
relation that L bear to the situation; but
the urgency and the terrible nature OF the
catastrophe impending over a large portion
of our people in the shape of winter fuel
famine impels me after much anxious
thought to believe tina my duty requires
me to use whatever influence n;e l personally
has become literally intolerabe. l wish to
emphasize the character of the situation
and to say that its gravity is such that 1
am constrained urgently to insist that each
one of you realize the heavy burden of re-
sponsibility upon him. We are upon the
threshold OF winter with an already exist
ing coal famine. the future terrors of which
can hardly yet appreciate The evil
possibilities are so farreaching, so appalling
that il seems to me that you are not only
justified in sinking but required to sink for
the time being any tenacity as to your re-
spective claims In the matter at issue be-
tween you. In my judgment the situation
imperativeiy requires that you meet on the
common plane of the necessities of the pub
lie. With all the earnestness there Is in me
L ask that there be an immediate resump-
ton of operations in the coal mines in some
such way as will without days unneces-
sary delay meet the crying needs Of the
people.
81 do not invite a discussion Of your re-
spective claims and positions. ! appeal TO
your patriotism, to the spirit that sinks
personal considerations and make indi-
vidual sacrifices for the general good."
When the President concluded the read
ing of his statement he said he did not ex-
pect that either party would be ready to
submit propositions at this time, but he
asked them to take into consideration what
he had said and to return at 3 o'clock. He
said he hoped that some proposition might
be presented at that time which would fur
nish the basis OF an adjustment. The con-
ference then terminated. 1t had lasted less
fifteen representatives
of the railroads came down stairs first and
went to their carriages. They refused to
say anything except that they would meet
again at o'clock. They would not even
say where they were going to make their
headquarters.
When asked where they could be seen
President Baer remarked to the newspaper
men: Gentlemen, what we want is to get
some place where you can't find US and
where we will not be interrupted"
They then drove away.
President Mitchell and his party followed
soon after, refusing TO say anything. A
little later Attorney General Knox left the
At 1890 o'clock Secretary Root terminated
nearly an hours private conference with
the President The secretary was in an
optimistic mood when he left the White
House.
When Mr.. Mitchell and District Presi-
dents Duffy, Nichols and Fahey left the
returned to the hotel, where they were
closeted during the afternoon. Mr.. Mitchell
declined to say anything about his pur-
pose in regard to a settlement of the strike
The representatives of the railroads were
driven from the White House to their spe-
cial train. in which they remained at the
Baltimore d Ohio station until Ii was time
to leave for the second conference. A large
crowd remained about the White House
during the interim. Secretary Moody
called. after which there was lull until
o'clock, when Postmaster General Payne
went to the White House. He was fol-
lowed half an hour later by Attorney Cen
eral Knox, who remained In the White
House awaiting the return of the principals
to the meeting.
On the completion of the Presidents re-
marks Mr.. Mitchell made statement as
follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT am much impressed
with what you say. 1 am much impressed
with the gravity of the situation. We feel
that we are not responsible for this terrible
state of affairs. We are willing to meet
the gentlemen representing the coal opera
tors TO try to adjust our differences among
ourselves. III We cannot adjust them that
way, Mr.. President, we are willing that you
shall name a tribunal who shall determine
the issues that have resulted in the strike,
and II the gentlemen representing the
operators will accept the award or decision
of such a tribunal the miners will willingly
accept IL even IL Ii is against their claims -
The President Before considering what
ought to be done think IL only just TO both
of you-both sides-and desirable from my
standpoint that you should have time TO
consider what L have stated 10 the 'rea-
sons for my getting you together, and /
shall trespass so far upon your good nature
to ask that this interview cease now and
that you come back at o'clock. / should
like you to think over what L have stated,
not TO decide now. but give IL careful
thought and return at 3 o'clock"
The conference then adjourned until
o'clock. Upon reassembling Mr.. Baer spoke
as follows:
Mr. President. do we understand you
correctly that We will be expected TO an
swer the proposition submitted by Mr..
Mitchell this morning?"
The President: 1T will be pleasure to
me TO hear any answer that you are will
ing TO make"
Mr.. Baer: IT have prepared an answer
lat this point there were presented 10 the
President the statements OF the confeTees.
prepared during the recess for that purpose.
and which are printed I'm this issue of the
Tfi~