Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-10-16

Pr'sia'n' Mitchell Conferred with
President Roosevelt Yesterday.
CHOICE OF ARBI1RATORS DISCUSSED.


Washington, Oct. 16.-The pro.
longed anthracite coal strike is not
yet practically settled but some
progress was made yesterday, and,
while there remain certain obstacles
TO be removed. these, in the language
OF Secretary Root, it is believed can
be resolved and termination Of the
strike finally secured. The principle
OF these obstacles is the composition
OF the proposed commission or board
to arbltrate the differences between
the miners and operators, Mr., Mitch
ell indicated formally yesterday to
President Roosevelt that the mine
workers union dissents from the re-
strictlon placed by the operators on
the choice Of the proposed. arbitra.
non tribunal and desires the presi.
dent to have an absolutely free hand
In the selection Of members of the
commission to be charged with an
adjustment Of future relations be.
tween the employers and employed.
He laid special stress in stating his
objections to the proposition that
one OF the commission should be a
Judge from the Eastern district Of
pennsylvania. He was very insistent
on some of his objections, which he
voiced in what might be termed a
counter proposition to that OF the
operators. After the president and
the head OF the miners union had ex-
changed views freely and gone over
the counter proposition of Mr.. Mitch.
ell a call was sent out by President
Mitchell for a joint meeting to-day
OF the executive boards of the mine
workers union for the three anthra-
cite districts of Pennsylvania. At
this meeting 1t is believed an agree
ment will be reached on a statement
to be officially promulgated by the
miners union in response to the
proposition from the operators.
President Roosevelt, having ascer-
tanned the views of Mr.. Mitchell, at
once communicated with the opera
tors and initiated efforts to reconcile
the differences developed and to have
the operators make some further
concessions, his aim being to reach
q common accord between miners and
operators whereby the labor dispute
may be finally composed and mining
Of coal resumed.
At the conclusion of the confer
ence Mr.. Mitchell said he had no in
formation which he could give to the
public. 1t was announced likewise,
at the temporary white house, that
no official statement of the confer
pnce would be made at this time.
When the last conference had been
Mr.. Mitchell left the white
house, and, after a brief conference
with President Samuel Gompers, Of
The American Federation of Labor,
md some other local labor leaders,
departed for Wilkesbarre, Pa. Mr..
Mitchell's visit to Washington was
~ invitation of President Roosevelt,
Who asked the miners president to
'ome to Washington in order that
hey might discuss the terms of the
submitted to the presi-
lent last Monday night by the an
hracite coal railroad president, in
he hope that the miners and oper-
tors might be brought into agree
nent.
While all persons having knowl-
dge of the details Of the conference
re extremely reticent, enough is
,nown to justify the statement that
While they did not accomplish set
cement Of the strike, they at the
anne time were not barren of tangi-
lie results. Some obstacles to a set
lement remain. The discussion Of
he situation was entirely amicable.
ir. Mitchell was in a conciliatory
mood and the president was very
ealous in his efforts to promote a
ettlement Of the prolonged strike.