The daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-19??, 1902-10-15

NliKeSOarrc, IA, OcG. lJ.-Johr
| Mitchell left here this mprning at ;
few minutes past 3 o'c;ock over th'
Lehigh Valley Railroad for Wash
nIlon to see President Roosevelt.
Ill. was accompanied by Walter
Wellman, Washington newspaper
correspondent. WAC arrived at the
Hart Hotel last night and delivered
a message from the President.
Mr.. Mitchell had a prolonged con.
ference with District Presidents
Nichols, Fahy, and Duffy before
leaving for Washington, and is iu
position 10 make Il counter-propo-
sltion to that presented by the op.
orators through }. +. Morgan. He
will either make counter proposi.
ton or else suggest notifications Of
the operators plans which were de-
termiued upon at last nights con.
ference. To what extent Mr.. Mitchell!
will object 10 the operators plan OF
commission OF five men 10 be ap-
pointed by President Roosevelt may
depend largely on the attitude as
sumed by the latter.
WILKESBARRE, Pa, Oct. 10
From thorough canvass of the situa
ton as it exists there Is every indica
ton for believing that the new arbitra
ton plnn proposed by the presidents
Of the coal companies for ending the
miners strike will not be accepted in
its present form. There is a division OF
opinion among the strikers, but there
is no doubt that majority feel that
the offer to have the president of the
United States select an arbtrat ton com.
mission along the lines suggested by
the operators is not fair and that it
unduly limits the president in making
up the board. The miners, it is safe to
say, will abide the advice of their ma
tonal president, In whose Judgment
they have the utmost confidence. Prcsi.
dent Mitchell declines to say how he
personally looks upon the proposition.
Mr.. Mitchell made n statement last
evening after a silence lasting all day.
He had no Intention of making it until
the correspondents representing the
newspapers all over the country called
OIL him in body and informed him
that the general public desired to have
an answer to the proposition of the
operators After giving it he was asked
many questions regarding the attitude
of the men and the probability of the
acceptance or rejection of the new of
fer, but he had no reply to make to any
of these questions. He denied that he
had any knowledge Of what the new
offer OF the operators was until it be-
came public property, and also denied
that he was in telephone communica-
ton with President Roosevelt. His at
tcntion was called to the fact that most
Of the information from Washington
that the proposition would be
accepted and that the strike was near
an end, but he stoutly maintained that
neither his officers nor the rank and file
Of the men had done anything to cause
such an impression to go out.
President Mitchelrs statement to the
press was as follows: Il fully apprcci-
ate with what anxiety the people of
1ur country are awaiting tie end CT
-he coal strike. The coal operators
have not addressed the Miners union
or its officers in making their public
statement. 1t is therefore impossible
'or me to state the attitude of the
miners at this time. | am now, as |
nave always been, deeply solicitous Of
he interests Of the public and the wei
are Of the mine workers, who have
>ccn on strike for the past five months.
\ formal statement defining our posi-
ion and intentions will be issued lust
IS soon as we are In possession of the
ull meaning Of the proposition of the
operators"
The district presidents also maintain
silence as TO their personal opinion on
he proposition excepting President
'ahy, who after he arrived from Ros- ,
OH gave an inkling rs to how he
'iewed the new turn Of affairs. In re-
'ly to query he said: "'Thc strike can
lot be settled without the consent of
he men. We are not dealing in gold ,
ricks Of any kind. and you can make Z
ny deduction from that you want"
There will be conference today be- :
ween Mr.. Mitchell. the three district ,
residents and Secretary Treasurer
wilson. 1t Is fully expected that the +,
entirient Of all the strikers will be +
nown ard that action will be taken
ccordingly. There is talk Of conyen- d,
lon being called, but there is nothing
ehnite OH which te. base this talk $
When Mr.. Mitchell VAS asked If he and :
he district officers had power to end I
he strike, he said that it is rnle of /
he organization that no settlement can c
e made by the officers Of the union c
'ithout the consent Of delegate con- f
ention. 1t Is practically certain that
lr. Mitchell's advice will be followed /
J the conference While he has not c
aid a word as tQ what he will do. it is !
ree'y predicted hy those who under
tand the situation that he will advise
refusal of the proposition.
A great many of the strikers think r
ne proposition should be accepted and y
nat the miners should trust to Presi- c
cnt Roosevelt to do the best he can C
ndcr the conditions laid down by the Il