Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-10-16
OPERATORS DETERMINED NOT TO
RECOGNIZE THE MINERS
UNION.
GOV. ODfLl WILL FIND A REMEDY.
MAKES A PROPOSITION WHICH is
TURNED DOWN., BUT WILL
KEEP AT IT.

ali the OLneT OpSTdIOTS W uuuSAStohN
that | am the governor OF New YORK,
the chosen representative or seven
million people, and that ] am here In
this matter solely in that capacity and
to relieve If possible an intolnrable
situation. And what is more, / intend
to use every power at my commG.ad TO
do It,"
Gov. Odeli made this statement yes
terday to President Baer OF the Read
ing railroad, in the presence OF Unit
ed States Senators Platt OF New York
and Quay and Penrose Of Pennsyl-
vania. 1t was the elimination OF a
rather heated interview in the Office
! of Senator Plat and the result of the
first meeting between Gov. Odell and
President Baer.
Mr.. Baer was aot in the best OF
humor when, accompanied by z. B.
Thomas, chairman of the board OF d.
rectors " the Erie railroad, he eu-
tered Senator. Platt's office. The o
ference was begun by a statement
made by Senator Penrose that the sit
uation was
Becoming Serious,
that some solution must be found at
once. He suggested that tie opera
tors should incline to some conces-
sions toward q settlement.
"If you mean by that" said Presi-
dent Baer. that we are to recognize
the existence of a labor union, | tell
you right now that the operators viii
consider no such proposition"
Gov. Odell was on his feet in an in
1H1nf IyNl4fpr N hnlf h,,rnf rfynr IN
his hand and white with excitement,
he said:
Are we to understand that no kind
of a conciliatory proposition will re-
ceive consideration at the hands OF
the operators"
Il did not say that" answered Mr..
Baer, but | do say, and | ~reiterate it,
that we will not accept political ad-
vice or allow the interference of poll
ticians in this, our affair"
Then it was that Gov. odell made
the statement attributed to him at the
beginning of this article.
5aer Makes an Apology.
President Baer, evidently a~rpreciat-
Ing that ne mad gone too far, bowed to
Gov. NOdell and said:
a bN5 JOui pdA uOns W.
personal affront was intended, and we
will listen to any suggestions you may
have TO make: but again / repeat that
we must refuse to recognize the union
as represented by Mr.. Mitchell"
81 believe" said the governor, that
your position from a public view Is alb
solutely untenable. If coal operators,
railroad men and other business men
can combine for mutual profit and pro-
lection, there is no reason why labor
Ing men should not"
! What is the proposition" said Mr..
Baer, coldly.
Just this" said Gov. OdeIl. 81 am
sure that the labor organization OF
which Mr.. Mitchell is head, desires
him to be fair with the general public.
II the operators will consent to give
the men
- Five Cents a Ton increase
will personally present it to the
miners, and believe they will accept
1t. 1t is a fair proposition"
Does this mean, Gov. odell, that
we are to recognize the miners
union?" Mr.. Baer asked.
! sit certainly does" answered Gov.
Odell quickly, "and there is no a
why you shouldn't"
MIR. Baer and Mr.. Thomas rose To
go, Mr.. Thomas remarkinc that the
matter would be presented to the 9TH
er operators and that an early answer
would be forthcoming. Nj. Baer said:
w are to meet a committee of the
manufacturers association on Tues.
Day and we may have an answer
then
After the conference the governor
said:
The coal operators may POSTPONE
this matter until Tuesday, but I don't
propose to postpone 1t. They are moi
acting fairly toward the people. | he
lieve | shall
Find Some Remedy"
About 3 o'clock john Mitchell. ac-
onpanie by L. M. Hammer:,ue of
Wllkesoarre, called and had q long
conference. While this was goirg ON
a alspatch announcing that the oper.
rators refused to consider the tarms
oftered by the governor was received
When the conference was over Gov
odell refused to cay what baa 80
CURED and Mr.. Mitchell was equally
retlcens II Is believed, however. that
G"V. oreli presented his proposition
lor settlement to the leader OF The
miners union and that Mr.. Mitchell
saiu tnat ne would present II to ths
district presidents Ia the hope it would
be accepted. ~
Gov. odell said: mr.. Mitchell was
emlhently fair. and showed a disposi.
'on 70 adjust the serious situation"
End Seems Far on.
W~ilkesbarre. Pa, Oct. 10 p,san
pointnent followed the news recaiuad
from New York last evening thai the
conference held in that CITY for tha
purpose OF settling the miners strike
nae tailed to reach an agreement. n
IL reared in business circles that fla
struggle will continue for sore weeks
strike leadars viii make CIV.
T" . Nr &C" line,