Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-10-03
MAY END STRIKE.
Conference at Washington Today Is
Likely to Have Good Effect.

Conference at Washington Today Is
Likely to Have Good Effect.
From Today's North American.
Washington, October 2.-Confdenc
In the prompt settlement OF the coal
strike, as result of the conference the
president will hold tomorrow with the
presidents of the coal roads and Pres-
dent Mitchell, OF the Mine Workers
Association, exists throughout the ad-
mnistration The president has not
expressed an opinion for publication,
but that he believes the strike will
terminate almost Immediately is an
nounced by all who have discussed the
situation with him.
Even the failure of the conference to
produce results will not prevent the
president from continuing his efforts to
put an end to existing conditions In the
coal regions. He has other plans pre-
pared, but does not want to put them
into execution until he has tried the eff
feet OF moral snasion upon the represen-
tatives of both sides to the conflict.
Whether Mr.. Roosevelt will make
known to those he has invited to meet
him the steps which will follow in case
no agreement is reached tomorrow Is
not known.
Criminal proceedings against the ope-
rators have been considered and decided
upon. 1t is understood, and recommenda-
tions to congress to enact legislation, in
the shape of amendments to the inter-
state commerce law, which will give the
president authority to prevent recur-
renee of the present situation have been
outlined.
Another plan, which the president is
said to have under consideration, is to
urge Governor Stone to call an extra
session OF the Pennsylvania legislature
to deal with the question.
1t Is the opinion of the cabinet that
the government of Pennsylvania has
ample authority and power to terminate
the strike II 1t desires to do so, and In
the event of failure to bring about an
agreement tomorrow the president will
communicate with Governor Stone.
All these plans are supplemental to
the effort the president will make to
compel the mine operators to listen to
reason and aid in averting a situation
which may be the most disastrous In
the history of the country.
They may be all unnecessary, and the
president and his advisors hope they
will be. AS nearly as can be ascer-
tanned, 1t is not the intention OF the
president to threaten the operators, but
to make plain, common-sense state
ment to them of the danger which
menaces the whole country as the re-
suit OF their obstinacy.
1t Is possible the immediate result of
the conference may not develop for sew
eral days. In the nature of the case, it
is presumed the president will submit
propositions which both sides may wish
to consider before agreeing to them.
But the need for action is so urgent
that the president will demand an
early reply, even II no definite decision
is rendered at once.
HOLDING THE CONFERENCE.
A dispatch from Washington to the
Hazleton Plain Speaker this afternoon
states that the conference went into
session at II q. m. today. An informal
meeting was held, after which an ad-
Journment until 3 p m. was taken.
At tho latter hour President Roose-
welt, the coal road presidents and the
unions officials reconvened. Up to
$50 o'clock no news had been given out.