The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-10-09

lined either side of the entrance to
the White House, from it's doors to
the street.
There was a distinct expression of
disappointment in the crowd when 1T
became known that the conference
had been unsuccessful and no agree
ment had been reached.
| At the White House an Associated
Press reporter endeavored to get an
authoritative statement giving the
views of the president upon the pro-
ceedings and result of the conference.
An official statement, giving a steno-
graphic report of the formal state
ments and proceedings was made pub
| lie, but announcement was made that
the president had no comment to make
thereon.
The suggestion was made in admin
istration circles, though not as coming
| from the president, that the result had
been to arouse and concentrate public
sentiment
One of the presidents advisers who
was seen intimated that some consid-
Grafton had been given before the con-
ference to the question of the future
course of the administration in event
of either party refusing absolutely to
do anything toward settlement. He
intimated that there was a possibil-
ity that the interstate commerce COM
mission might be able to take some
steps with respect to making charges
on the anthracite coal roads. Still,
public sentiment, he added, was the
chief resource of the president as to
both parties to the strike.
Following is the statement prepared
and read by the president at the open
ing of the conferences:
II wish to call your attention to the
fact that there are three parties af-
fected by the situation in the anthra-
cite trade-the operators and the min
ers and the general public. l speak
for neither the miners nor the opera
tors, but for the general public. The
questions at issue which led to the
situation affect Immediately the par
ties concerned, both the operators and
miners; but the situation itself vitality
affects the public. AS long as there
seemed to be a reasonable hope that
these matters could be adjusted be-
tween the parties interested, it did
not seem proper for me to intervene
in any way. l disclaim any right or
duty to intervene in this way, upon
legal grounds, or upon any official
relation that l bear to the situation.
but the urgency and the terrible ma
ture of the catastrophe impending
over a large portion of our people,
in the shape of winter fuel famine,
impel me, after much anxious thought,
to believe that nay duty requires me
to use whatever influence l personally
can bring to effect settlement of the
situation, which has become literally
intolerable.
II wish to emphasize the character
of the situation and to say that its
gravity is such that am constrained
urgently to insist that each one of you
realizes the heavy burden of response
bility upon MIN. We are upon the
threshold of winter, with an already
existing coal famine. the terrors of
which we can hardly yet appreciate.
The evil possibilities are so far-reach-
ing, SO appalling, that it seems to
nae that you are not only justified in
sinking, but required to sink for the
time being, any tenacity as to your
respective claims in the matter at is
sue between you. In my judgment,
the situation imperatively demands
that you meet upon the common plane
of the necessities of the public. With
all the earnestness that there is in
me, ask that there be an immediate
resumption of operations in the coal
mines, in some such way as will with
out days unnecessary delay meet
the crying needs of the people
II do not invite discussion of your
respective claims and positions. l ap-
peal to your patriotism, to the spirit
that sinks personal considerations and
makes individual sacrifice for the gen.
eral good"
Upon the completion of the presi-
dents remarks, Mr.. Mitchell made
statement, as follows:
'Mr. President: am much i'm
pressed with what you say. l am
much impressed with the gravity of
the situation. We feel that we are
not responsible for this terrible state