The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-10-03
THE PRESIDENT ACTS.
Calls Mitchell and Operators to Meet
Him in Conference.
STRIKE MAY SOON BE OVER.
Coal Road Magnates Visit Morgan
and Prepare Memoranda to Fre-
sent to President Their
side OF the Case.
STRIKE MAY SOON BE OVER

New York, Oct. 2.-Ihat the coliAoi
ence to be held at the temporary Whlte
House in Washington between the
nresident the heads of the coal roads
and Mr.. Mitchell will result in speedy
| termination of the coal strike is the
devout hope of all, but it is as yet I'M
possible to say what the outcome Will
be.
Mr.. Morgan and his representatives
talked with some of the leading opera
tors during the day. 1t is UNDERSTOOD
that certain memoranda have been pre-
pared and will be submitted to the
president at the conference. 1t is re-
ported that the operators are as ueter-
mined as ever that the strike shall enu
ON the basis laid down by them at the
beginning.
From the coalfields comes word that
it is confidently believed throughout
the region that the end of the twenty
weeks struggle is in sight From Pres
ident Mitchell down to the poorest
breaker boy there is rejoicing. Bust
ness men, whose affairs have practical
Nv DceH dl SldDOoliA oAA
have taken new hope. President Roose-
yelt's action in calling the representa-
tives of the miners and operators be-
fore him to arrange some basis for
settlement of the trouble is regarded
as the first substantial move to end the
strike.
Many nonunion men who have been
at work in the mines have deserted
and joined the strikers ranks, accord
ing to message from Wilkesbarre.
The presidents action, they declare,
means the beginning of the end, and
they are satisfied to await the result in
idleness.
President ROOseveIt's Plans.
The Washington correspondent OF
the Journal sends his paper the fol-
lowing regarding the conference:
Whatever the reason is, there is in
Washington among those near to the
president a feeling of confidence that
some agreement between the strik-
ers and the mine owners will be eff
fected 1t is said, for one thing, that
the president has a definite plan for at
least the temporary settlement OF the
strike and that he believes he has in
his hands the power to force the ac-
ceptance of his plan or one equally as
effective.
President Roosevelt will make it
plain to the persons attending the CON
ference that the coal situation has be-
come intolerable and that the public
must have relief, and at once. He will
not insist on the adoption of the plan
he will submit, but he will insist that
coal be mined. 1t is expected that he
will hold congress as club over the
persons who put any obstacles in the
way of immediate resumption of work
If any such obstacles are encountered.
A man close to the president says:
1.-THE question of responsibility for the
strike Is not to be considered, but the
fact will doubtless appear that the
miners have agreed to submit their de-
mand for an increased wage to arbitra
ton. To this can be opposed on the
side of the operators only the declara-
ton that there is nothing to arbitrate.
with the scarcity of coal an estab-
lished fact, with millions of people suf-
fering for the want of it, the question
is asked, How long can the operators
refuse to submit their side of the con
troversy to an impartial referee for
settlement? The question takes on
greater significance when it is suggest
ed that it will be the president of the
United States who will put this inquiry
to the operators.
at is agreed on all hands that under
such circumstances the operators will
not dare to refuse to place their case
in the hands of an impartial tribunal.
1t can be said, however, that in this
remote event the resources of the presi-
dent will not be exhausted. He has
still at hand the weapon of congress.
The Legislature of Pennsylvania also
should be reckoned with. Action by
that body might be taken which would
speedily end the situation"
1t is safe to say that Mr.. Mitchell
will again offer before the president to
abide by the decision of any board of
arbitrator that may be agreed upon.
Indeed, there is rumor that the presi-
dent of the United Mine Workers will
offer to submit their case to President
Roosevelt and abide by his decision.