Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-02
MR. MORGAN OMITTED
Not Invited to Conference on
Coal Strike.
SUBJECT OF COMMENT
rs THE REPRESENTATIVE OF COR
PORATE INTERESTS.
Potent Power in Coal Region and In
Wall Street - Attitude To-
ward President.
SUBJECT OF COMMENT


mira bic plan for a settlement of the coal
House tomorrow Of the operators ana
President Mitchell as the representative OF
the miners, which is the one topic Of con-
versation today in official and political cir
cles, this is one question which is frequent
ly asked:
Why was not J. Pierpont Morgan invited
to participate in this conference?
1t is true Mr.. Morgan is not president OF
any Of the so-called coal roads or coal COM
panies. But 1t Is nevertheless a recog-
nized fact that Mr.. Morgan holds now, and
has held for some time, the controlling
hand SO far the actions or interests OF
the operators and coal roads are con-
cerned.
In Mr. Morgan the President would have
got, 1t is suggested, at the center of power
the capitalistic side Of the controversy
in the same way that he gets at the center
of power in President Mitchell on the labor
end Of the controversy.
This fact makes the absence OF Mr.. Nor
gan at the Forthcoming conference at the
White House appear all the more signih-
can't and this significance Is taking the
form of various comment. Those who be-
lieve they have been watching Mr.. Nor
gan's attitude in the coal strike matter
profess to see in this attitude signs of luke
warmness toward the political welfare and
general success of the Roosevelt adminis-
tration. They say that the President and
Mr.. Morgan have been travelling In opposite
directions ever since the inauguration Of the
suit against the Northern Securities Com
pany.
Impersonator of Corporate Interests.
When that action was taken Mr.. Morgan
came to Washington. He called at the
White House, impersonating more than any
other living man the corporate interests OF
the country, being in fact the very sold OF
the gigantic railroad and industrial trust
development of the present moment Tho
meeting between Mr. Morgan and the Pres
ident is understood to have been sought by
the former. There were indications or
trouble ahead in the Roosevelt attitude to-
ward the northern securities venture, and
the Wall street giant wanted to know ex-
actly what Mr.. Roosevelt's intentions were.
The reports of tffis interview have never
been officially given. The impression that
prevailed afterward, however, was that
Greek had met Greek. To Mr.. Morgans
suggestion that a disturbance of the great
financial interests of the country by the
executive meant disaster the President is
said to have answered.:
81 am neither bull bear in Nor
gan stock. 1 President Of the United
States, and am sworn to execute the law.
would proceed against you or any of your
combinations as quick as l would against
striker-but not because l am opposed to
either capital labor, except as either Of
them may be violators of the laws of the
country"
Mr.. Morgan went to New York. When the
coal strike became a serious matter his at
titude in the way of endeavor in behalf Of
settlement was without enthusiasm.
The continuance of this strike possibly
meant political disaster to the party In
power. 1t would defeat the election of some
republican members to Congress this fall
if prolonged. 1t might weaken destroy
confidence in the national republican ad-
ministration. Mr.. Morgan did not issue any
ukase to settle the coal strike.
influence in Wall Street.
The influence of Mr.. Morgan in Wall
street is known to be nearly supreme
as any financial dictator who ever mounted
to the pinnacle Of power on the platform
of wealth in this country. 1t was he, 1t is
said, who stirred up the heavyweight gold
democrats to attend the democratic COM
vention at Saratoga-another move, 1t 10
suggested, to weaken the Roosevelt admin
iStration in New York.
Then came the present financial pinch in
Wall street. and with it the necessity on the
part Of Mr.. Roosevelts Secretary Of the
Treasury to deny persistent rumors, traced
to Wall street, that he was to resign; that
his relief measures were inadequate and
that he was incompetent to handle the sit
uation. That Mr.. Morgan could make
money tight" in Wall street is known;
that he did to an extent rejoice in the SEM
blance of panic is openly stated.
Reasons Apparent.
With these few points brought forth and
polished up the wise ones are saying that
it is easy to see why Mr.. Morgan not
included as one of those who will talk in q
heart to heart manner with the Presf-
dent tomorrow regarding the settlement Of
the strike.
President Roosevelt, they say, is not given
to taking the defensive on any proposition.
His earnest determination to force action to
relieve what bids fair to be national ca
lamity in the way of a coal famine has been
made manifest. To the railroads, to the
operators, to the miners and to the public
will his proposition be made. This PROPOSE
ton will be made with the characteristic
force of Roosevelt, backed up by the public
sentiment Of the country. That this propo-
sition will be borne at once to Mr.. Morgan
in New York by the presidents of the vari-
Gus roads and coal companies goes without
saying.
That a failure of the forthcoming con-
ference to accomplish the desired end would
be the most disastrous catastrophe possible
for organized capital is view of the Ques-
tion which is making deep impression to-
day. The continuation of the strike after
the President has eXerted every means IN
his power to settle it would mean nothing
less than drastic action by Congress, which
would from the nature of its necessity, be
a more serious blow to organized capital
than any purely executive action could be.
That this will be recognized and that Mr..
Morgan will submit to the Presidents
moral suasion is one prediction frequently
heard regarding the coal conference to-