The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-30
Operators Do Not Like Presi-
dents Plan for Inquiry.
FEAR MINERS MILL HOLD OUT
They Mike Flat Denial Of Charge That
Combination Exists ]. FleIponi Morgan
Dominates The Anthracite Fields.

New York, June 3O-President Roose-
velts order to Attorney General Knox to
make an investigat tion OF the anthracite
coal situation with a view OF learning
whs ther an agreement exists among the
operators to regulate prices. prevent COM
petition and limit wages in violation OF
the federal antitrust laws, was met by
the presidents OF the hard coal roads, who
were in this city Saturday with fiat de-
nial that any combination exists.
From man who has been closely iden-
titled with the operators side of the con-
trovsrsy from the beginning OF the trouble
the operators attitude toward the posi-
ton taken by the president was obtained
yesterday.
The operators deny absolutely that
there is such a thing as a coal trust or
any combination OF the kind prohibited
by the United States laws. They insist
that all talk OF such combination is non
sense. They declare that they are per-
fectly willing 10 submit TO any examina-
ton that the president or his advisers
may think proper, because they are con-
fident the government would be able 10
find nothing on which TO base hostile pro-
ceedngs.
While they do not object to an inquiry
they regret that there should have been
any thought OF such thing at this time
because they fear 1t VIII encourage tne
strikers TO remain out longer than they
would do otherwise. In the hope that the
president will do something TO aid them
They believe the strike leaders will make
the most of the presidents order, and
that IL will be used TO persuade the men
that If they will hold out only a little
longer the government Will weaken the
opera tors and give the strikers the VIC
tory.
FEAR MEN WILL HOLD OUT.
They regret the presidents action all
from the coal fields have been to the ef-
feet that the strike was rapidly reaching
the point OF crisis. and that the men men
were anxious to get back TO work. The
coal road presidents say that they have
received petitions from many of their
men who are on strike asking that the
TO work as soon as this Is done.
The operators have declined TO reopen
the mines until they could be perfectly
certain they would be able to run them
without interference and protect their
men and property from violence They
have been watching the situation care
fully to determine when the suitable mo-
ment for resuming operations has arrived.
Carroll ID. Wright. United States COM
missioner Of labor. the operators say. re-
cetved from them during his investisation
ample data TO demonstrate that no trust
or Illegal combination in coal exists. IL
was expected that he would lay this In
convince him Of the futility OF attempting
to proceed under the antitrust laws.
But whatever the president may do In
the matter. the operators say they are
confident he Is powerless no injure them,
and any action that may be instituted by
the attorney general Will come TO nothing.
They were SO confident OF this yesterday
that they were almost defiant In discuss
Ing the question.
Interesting data bearing upon the ex-
istence OF a coal combination TO regulate
supplies, prices and wages was gathered
by the United States interstate commerce
commission during its investigations In
this city two years ago. This Is at the
disposal Of the president In the reports
of the commission.
There was a legislative investigation OF
an attempt at legal proceedings on behalf
Of New York In this state five years ago.
At that time there had been quarreling
among the operators. free competition and
lew prices for several years. In this
situation, as was brought out by the leg
islative inquisiuors. a. committee consist
ing OF J. r. Maxwell OF the New Jersey
Central. Il. Il. Thomas, president OF the
Erie. and f.. n. Holden, vice president
Of the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern was appointed TO try TO bring about
a working agreement.
NEW SCHEDULE MADE.
The committee succeeded finally In max
ing a new schedule which was satisfac-
tory TO all the operators. The partici-