Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-04
LOOKING FOR RELIEF.
CONTINUED from First Page.)
of interest has been shifted from the opef-
ators and the miners to the President
Wide Range Of Suggestion.


The discussion of this subject today COW
cred a wide range Of suggestion. AS an ex-
cessive measure, to be adopted as a last
resort, it was claimed that the President
would have full power to declare martial
law, to order federal troops to the mines,
and, ignoring the owners, call for men to go
to work and move the coal. While this ar
rangement would be in force the govern
ment would mine the coal. pay the men, re-
Quire the railroads to haul it, II such an ex-
pediency should be necessary; sell 1t and
keep an account Of the business done
1t was admitted that, Of course, such an
extreme course on the part Of the Presi-
dent could not be resorted to until 1t had
been demonstrated to his satisfaction that
there was either lack Of power or inten-
ton on the part of the authorities Of the
state of Pennsylvania to bring relief to the
situation in some way.
The manifold dangers that confront a
country on the eve Of winter and without
a coal supply are elaborated by those who
think extreme measures should be taken to
end the tie-up in the mines. The ways in
which the lack of coal may affect the gen.
eral health are pointed out.
The substitutes for coal may be capable
Of largely relieving this situation. but the
view is taken that in the nature OF things
these substitutes cannot be utilized on snort
notice to extent sufficient to prevent the
greatest discomfort in the absence OF
coal supply.
Proposed Extra Session.
The idea that the President may call an
extra session of Congress in order to secure
some action dealing with the coal situation
meets with considerable opposition. The
emergency is regarded so imminent that
the delay by means Of congressional action
is referred to as sufficient to defeat that
proposition.
1t Is quite generally believed that the
President will not call an extra session
unless he Is convinced that he lacks other
power to bring relief, or that 1t would be
necessary to have an extra session follow
action taken by him.
Departure Of President Mitchell.
President Mitchell and the other members
of the anthracite miners committee who at
tended yesterdays conference left Wash
ington at 1915 today over the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad for their headquarters
at Wnkesbarre. They intended going earlier
in the day. but missed the train. Before
boarding the train Mr.. Mitchell said that
probably soon after his arrival in Wilkes
barre he would issue directions to the
miners to how to proceed, but that he
could not say positively what he would do
Asked what directions, IL any, he would
issue. he replied that any directions issued
would only be for the continuance Of the
strike.
do you feel" he was asked. that public
sentiment will sustain you in continuing
the striker
1T certainly must do so after the result
Of yesterdays conference" he replied. I'VE
are confident that we have the sympathy
of every workingman in the country. and
we believe that We will have the financial
support of most of them.
rs this outside contribution sufficient
to relieve present DISTRESS!
Il can't state the exact amount, but so
far we have been able to relieve all cases
Of OH lnfp MT
tributions to increase in volume We feel
quite confident of being able to continue the
strike through the winter. but we shall re-
gret very much to have to do so, not only
on our own account, but on account of the
public Indeed, If only the interests of the
miners and the operators were concerned.
the strike would be OF comparatively little
general Importance"
Mr. Mitchell referred to The charge Of
lawlessness. made by the coal operators in
the conference yesterday. saying:
Several of them made the statement
that there had been twenty murders by
the strikers since the beginning Of the
strike. We challenged the statement on
the spot, and I volunteered to tender my
resignation then and there if 1t could be
proved that there had been twenty deaths
all told from violence since the inception Of
the strike. The proposition was not &C
cepted. p, -ar e. y
THE truth Is that there have been Just
seven deaths. and three of those were
by the mine operators. The trouble Is that
these men never go to the mines, and they
accept without question all the representa-
lions made TO them.
The Mitchell party expects to reach
WilkeSbarre late this afternoon.
Last Nights Conference.
Late last evening the operators who were
in yesterdays conference called upon Sec
rotary Root, but the position they had as
sumed made it impossible to carry the ne
gotiations further, although various phases
of the situation were briefly discussed.
The special train bearing the operators
who came here to confer with the President
over the coal situation left here at o'clock
this morning for New York. All the off,
Gals who came on the train left with 1t.
President Baer of the Philadelphia and
Reading system was to leave the party at
Philadelphia