The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-10-16
ODELL SCORES BAER
Lively Tilts Occur at Conference
Held in New York City.
COAL BARON SHOWS DEFIANCE
With Cool Determination Baer Reiter.
ates that Coal Operators Will
Never Recognize the Min
ers' Union.

A New York special says: After
two days of confert nee between the
anthracite coal mine operators on one
side and the governor and senior sena-
ter of New York and the two senators
from Pennsylvania on the other, the
strike Of the United Mine Workers
Of America is apparently as far from
a settlement as the day it was de-
clared.
Governor Odell laid before the oper-
ators Friday the proposition that if
they would concede to the miners an
advance of cents ton in the price
paid for mining coal he would resume
work. Being told further that the con-
cesslon would carry with it recognition
Of the miners Union, the operators
promptly refused to entertain the prop
osition and took their leave. Later
in the day they and the Pennsylvania
senators left the city, the latter going
to Harrisburg.
John Mitchell, president of the Uni
ted Mine Workers Of America, touk no
part in any of the conferences, he be-
ing in the city, it is understood, in or
der that he might be within reach
should the negotiations reach stage
where his decision for the miners
would be required.
Governor Odell feels that he has
done all that is possible for him to do,
under existing laws, toward bringing
about a termination Of the strike. He
would not say whether or not it was
his intention to call the state legisla-
ture in extraordinary session to con-
slider the enactment OF a law under
which the contention between the coal
operators and the miners might be
brought to an end. That, the COVER
nor said, was something he would not
discuss at this time.
Governor Odell was not in a talking
mood when he left the conference. To
one of these the governor said:
"The coal operators may postpone
this matter until Tuesday, but 1 don't
propose to postpone it. They are not
acting fairly toward the people. I be-
lieve 1 shall find some remedy
Fridays conference was begun by
a statement made by Senator Pen
roro +bo+ tbo c;tpo tio-, uoc hooou,ino
so serious that some solution must be
found at once. He suggested that the
operators should incline to some con-
cessions toward a settlement.
IF you mean by that" said Presi-
dent Baer, that We are to recognize
the existence Of labor union, tell
you right now that the operators will
consider no such proposition"
Governor Odell was on his feet in
an instant. Holding a half burnt cigar
in his hand and white with excite
ment he said:
"Are We to understand that no kind
of conciiiatory proposition will re-
ceive consideration at the hands Of the
operators?"
81 did not say that" answered Mr..
Baer, "but do say, and l reiterate,
that we will not accept political ad-
vice or allow the interference of poll
ticians in this, our affair"
What do you mean by politicians"
rctorted Governor Odell. 81 want you
and all the other operators to under
stand that am the governor Of New
York, the chosen representative OF
seven million people, and that l am
here in this matter solely in that ca
pacity and to relieve if possible an in
tolerable situation. And what is more,
1 intend to use every power at my
command to do it."
President Baer, evidently appreciat-
ing that he had gone too far, bowed to
Governor Odell and said:
Governor, 1 beg your pardon. No
personal affront was intended, and we
will listen to any suggestions you may
have to make; but again repeat that
1 must refuse to recognize the union
as represented by Mr. Mitchell"