The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-11
ON The SURF ACE.
Bold Front Put on by Mine
Operators Assumed.
Believed They Are About Ready
to Settle Strike.
THEY WON'T ADMIT TT.
Operators Say Nothing Win Be
Done Tuesday.
Statement of Their Position
Given Out.

| New York, Oct. HIT was stated to-
day at the office of e. M. Thomas, chair
man of the board of directors of the
Erie road, that the reports to the effect
| that there was likely to be on Tuesday
/ of next week further conference with
\ Senators Quay Platt and Penrose, were
incorrect. The statement issued by MIR.
Thomas at the conclusion of the con-
ference on Friday morning. definitely
covered the situation.
1t was explained that in the early con-
ferenceS with the civic federation cer-
tain propositions had been committed by
Mr.. Thomas. These propositions are I'M
derstood to be the basis of all the ne
gotiatons on the part of the operators
ever since and to which the operators
adhere.
The propositions were:
First-The anthracite companies do
not undertake in the slightest manner
to discriminate against members of the
United Mine Workers of America: but
they do insist that members of that or
ganization shall not discriminate against
nor decline to work with nonunion
members of such association.
SecOnd-That there shall be no deteri-
Grafton in the quantity or quality of the
work and that there shall be no effort to
restrict the individual exertions of men
who, working by the ton or car, may
for reasons satisfactorv~ to themselves
and their employers produce such a
quantity of work as they may desire.
1ulEQ-By reason OF the QlIIerenI con-
ditions( varying not only with the dis
tricts, but with the mines themselves.
thus rendering absolutely impossible
anything approaching uniform condi-
tons each mine must arrange, either
individually or through its committees
with the superintendent or mana gers
any question affecting wages or grew
ances.
On the other hand, the Associated
Press has received the following from
an authoritative source on the other
side of the dispute:
The two days conference between the
presidents of the coal carrying roads
and Governor Odell and Senators Plat,
Quay and PenrOse, was not the failure
that It was reported to be. The opera
tors practically agreed to certain ad-
vance in wages and to certain PROPOSE
tons that would result in the resump-
ton of coal mining. The authority here
mentioned is of the opinion that the
conference was not adjourned because
an agreement. apparently could not be
reached, but because the operators were
not willing to have it appear that they
were yielding under pressure. The con-
ference, according to the present plan,
Will be resumed on Tuesday. but final
agreement may not be reached that day.
At this time it looks as though a settle
ment will be effecter before the series
of meetings is ended, although some
thing may be said or done while the
present efforts are being made that
would wipe out the work already ac-
complished.
When the above was shown to Mr..
Thomas he said:
This statement is unqualifledly
wrong. No conclusions could be reach
ed through that channel The incident
may be considered as absolutely closed,
/ the operators positively declining to ac-
! cept the suggestions made. Nothing
will be done on Tuesday
| The presence here of Secretary Root
who came here last night from Wash
ington, gave rise to reports that he
would at least confer with the represen-
of the president. Mr.. Root, however,
said he had merely come to New York
to register. But later in the day, when
Secretary Root failed to appear at any
of the places which it is his custom to
visit when here, it was reported that he
was in conference with J. F. Morgan
As Mr.. Morgan did not appear at his
down town office today it was taken tC
indicate that he and the secretary OF
war had gotten together at some secret
place Of meeting. One report had it that
| Mr.. Root had gone off to Mr.. MOrgan's
yacht Corsairs which is lying in thu
river After breakfasting a the Union
| League club the secretary of war disap-
pesred and no trace of him could be OBJ
tanned
Close friends who saw Governor Odel
day were inclined to believe that he has
formulated a plan Of acticn in the event
that the strike is not settled 1T an early
day. This plan, however. is not believed
to have any direct hearing on the set
tlement of the dispute between the on
orators and miners, but looks to a pro
ject by which coal may be supplied te
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