The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-02

guests from the feeling of reserve that might naturally be created if they ap- pear before the entire cabinet, including some exceedingly clever lawyers whom the people might not care to meet in a business way in the absence of their own legal advisers. So the absence of the cabinet will give the President an op- portunity to do just what he wants namely to have a good heart to heart talk with the operators and Mir. Mitchell to induce them to talk to each other freely and to reason quietly and sober ly and finally to agree if possible to make concessions on each side which will terminate the strike. And. at least, if this object cannot be directly attained 1t is hoped that the foundations may be laid for an agreement in the near future, perhaps an agreement between the prin- cipals to have further meetings and per haps to refer open issues between them to third parties.
 Has No Assurances.
 It Is said positively that the President has no assurances from either side which formed the basis of his call for this meeting. But when Secretary Root was in New York yesterday and the night preceding he saw one at least of the coal presidents whose name appears in to- days list of invitations. 1t was stated that the meeting was casual one, but no statement could be extracted touching the personality of the other great forces that are operating in this strike who might have been seen by the war sec- retary in his peace mission. Other great financial forces than MT. Morgan com potent to exercise tremendously pow erful but secret pressure upon corpora tions exist in New York and 1t is sur missed that with some of these the sec retary not unacquainted in business way in that circle may perhaps inter view during his visit.
 President Roosevelts proposition for a gathering here Friday of representatives of the coal companies and coal operators and the miners met a prompt response from a number of the men to whom invi- tations were sent During the day the President received replies to his invita- tions from President John Mitchell o1 the United Mine Workers; President George F. Baer of the Reading railway system and one or two others. MT. Baer'S prompt reply to the Presidents sugges- tion was particularly gratifying to Pres ident Roosevelt as 1t was believed that in all probability his acceptance will insure favorable replies from other officials who were invited. MT. Baer has acted as the
  ous statements that have been put forth from time to time in reply to the miners representations and it is recognized that his influence will be a potent factor in any conference that might teke place. The President is expressing the keenest interest in the coming fathering and ex- presses the hope that it will result in steps that will bring about the cessation of the strike. President A. J. Cassatt of the Pennsylvania railroad is among those asked to join in Fridays confer ence. The President has the greatest respect for Mr. Cassatt's well known business ability and good judgment and is anxious that he should give the con ference the benefit of his opinions. No reuly had been received from him tonight though it is not doubted he will attend.
 Mitchell Is Delighted.
 Wilkesbarre, Pa, October Tiff the broad smile which President Mitchell wore when he opened President Roose- veit's telegram inviting him to the white house conference at Washington Friday was any indication he was highly de- lighted with the Presidents message.
 "Of course l shall accept President Roosevelt's invitation" he said
 q have just sent a reply to the Presi- dents telegram. 1 shall leave here to- morrow and be in Washington early Friday 1 have no means of knowing just what matter will be brought up at the conference"
 The receipt of the message from Pres ident Roosevelt was great relief at President Mitchelrs headquarters, as the suspense for the past forty eight hours has been intense, The general impression is that the conference will agree upon a plan to settle the strike satisfactorily to both sides. a,