Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1902-10-10
THE OPERATORS
STILL STUBBORN.


other operators following him. The
coal road presidents referred all in
quiries to the s~~2tors and Governor
Odell.
I've nothing TO say; there is moth
Ing to be said" was Governor Odells
answer to a question. Senator Quay
likewise had nothing to say. Senator
Platt was the last to leave his office.
"I don't think can say anything" he
said. 81 am too tired. There will be
further meetings tomorrow. That Is
all can say at present
Vice President Wilcox. of the Dela-
ware and Hudson, like others, refused
to talk. A visit to the operators after
the conference brought no informa-
hen.
From what may be described as an
inside and authoritative source, It
may be announced that the confer.
ence at the office Of Senator Platt
was absolutely without result, the op-
eSators refusing to consider the po
litical aspect of the situation and
maintaining the position that the
question was one between employer
and employee as to the management
Of the concerns.
According to the authority above
indicated, Senator Quay and Governor
Odell expressed the opinion rhat
should the strike continue for two
weeks longer the effect would be to
so possess the public micd with the
one subject of shortage OF fuel that
political duties would be neglected
and the voters remain away from the
polls on election day, with the nat
ural result that the majority party IN
Pennsylvania and New York would be
the greater sufferer. Senator Pen
rose expressed his concurrence in the
representations OF the others and
Senator Platt and Mr.. Lauterbach
spoke in a similar strain. These lat-
ter advised something in the nature
Of an armistice under an implied
promise to the miners that their
union would be recognized BY the
operators.
Wouldn't Let Politics Figure.
On their part the operators de-
clared that the question at issue was
entirely apart from party politics and
they refused to be Influenced by rep
reservations as to the effect that the
strike might have upon the fortunes
of one party or the other.
One Of the political conferees next
suggested that to protract the strug-
gle with the miners union would be
to open the way to advocates Of anti
corporation legislation at Harrisburg
and Albany to move for the introduc.
ton of measures calculated to impair
the value Of railroads and coal prop
critics and that 1t was even possible
that in the stress of public opinion
laws might be enacted that would i'm
pair for years the value Of the prop
critics the operators represented. 1t
was said by one speaker that a bill
Of this antagonistic character had al
ready been framed and was ready for
submission to the Pennsylvania legis-
lature. The possibility Of harassing
litigation both in Pennsylvania AMI
New York was also dwelt upon and
the fear expressed that in some in
stances the state Of public mind
might influence the determination OF
such suits.
These representations failed to
move the operators, who, according
to the gentleman already quoted, de-
clared that party politics should not
be injected into the situation. The
operators further expressed their con.
fidence in the integrity Of the courts
and said they had no fear Of the sue
cess Of any attack that might be made
through the state legislatures upon
the property interests concerned.
This brought the conference to
close and the gentlemen separated.
Shortly afterwards General Thomas,
of the Erie, had a long talk with J.
P. Morgan. the nature OF the conver.
sation not being disclosed. 1t is as
serted on good authority that Mr..
Morgan was in communication during
the day with some OF the politicians
who conferred With the operators, but
that he declines to be placed in the
attitude Of party to the controversy
MitcheII's Actions AnxiousTy Watched.
Although President Mitchell appar.
emily had no part in the conference
between the senators and the oper.
ators. his actions were anxiously
awaited. Early in the day he was
Joined at the Ashland. house by ex.
State Senator Moses W. Salomon, Of
Chicago The Chicagoan, up to last
night, had refused TO disclose his
mission. saying he was merely
messenger" During the morning
Mr.. Mitchell had a long conference
with his three district presidents AZ
terward District President Nichols
hod f6 4