The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-16
ROOSEVELT MUST
HAVE AFREE HAND
Coal Barons Shall not Select
the Arbitrators.
so DECLARES MITCHELL
After Interview With the President he Calls a
Joint Meeting of The Executive Boards
Of the Miners Union for PennsyI"
vania Today.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, d. c., Oct. 15.-The pro-
longed anthracite coal strike is not yet
practically settled, but some progress
was made today, and while there re-.
main obstacles to be removed, these, in
the language of Secretary Root, it is
ble:ved, can be resolved and a termina-
tion of the strike finally secured.
The principal of these obstacles is the
composition of the proposed commission
or board to arbitrate the differences be-
tween the miners and operators. Mr..
Mitchell indicated formally today to
President Roosevelt that the Mine Work
ers' Union dissents from the restrictions
placed by the operators on the choice
of the proposed arbitration tribunal and
desires the President to have an abso
lutely free hand in the selection of men,
bers of the commission to be charged
with an adjustment of future relations
between the employers and employed.
He laid special stress in stating his
objections on the proposition that one
of the commission should be judge
from the Eastern District of Pennsyl-
vania. He was very insistent in some
of his objections, which he voiced in
what might be termed a counter propo-
sition to that of the operators.
After the President and the head of
the miners union had exchanged views
freely and gone over this counter
proposition of Mr.. Mitchell, call was
sent out by President Mitchell for
joint meeting tomorrow between the
executive boards of the miners union for
the three anthracite districts of Penn
sylvania. At this meeting. it is believed
an agreement will be reached on state
ment to be officially promulgated by
the miners union in response to the
proposition from the operator.
President Roosevelt, having ascertain
cd the views of Mr.. Mitchell, at once
communicated with the operators and
initiated efforts TO reconcile the differ
ences developed and to have the opera
tors make some further concessions his
aim being by mutual concessions to
reach common accord between miners
and operators whereby the labor dispute
nav be finally Cn,p53cd and mining of
oal resumed.
The progress made today was accom-
plished by means chiefly of two extend
ed conferences between President Roose-
Welt and John Mitchell, the president of
the United Mine workers of America.
st the conclusion of the conferences,
Mr.. Mitchell said that he had no in
formation which he could give to the
public
1t likewise w2s announced at the tenn
porary White House that no official
statement of the conferences would be
made at this time.
When the last conference had been
concluded, Mr.. Mitchell left the White
House, ard, after a brief conference
with President Samual Gompers, de-
parted for Wilkesbarre, Pa.
Mr., AIithell's visit to Washington
was by invitation of President Roose
welt who asked him to ONE to Washing
ton in order that they might disuss the
terms of the proposition submitted to
the President last Monday night by the
anthracite coal railroad presidents.
While all persons having knowledge of
the details of the conference are eX-
tremely reticent, enough is known to
Justify the statement that while they
did not accomplish a settlement of the
srike they at he same ime were not
barren of tangible results.
At the first conference, which lasted
from 1850 a. m until 1855 p. m., the
President and Mr.. Mitchell discussed
fully the proposition made by the oper-
ators for an arbitration commission. In
a general way the miners president in
dioated certain objections which he had
to the proposition of the operators. but
it is understood did not at that time
present his objections in a formal state
mcnt.
At the conclusion Of the first confer
cnoe. Mr.. Mitchell walked over to the
Treasury Department, where. for two
hours, he remained closeted with Frank
p Sargent, Commissioner of Immigra
ton. in the latter's office.
Tt is believed that at the conclusion
of the conference Mr.. Mitchell had
formulated a statement akin to a coun-
proposition to that made by the
operators.
This he later presented to the Presi-
dent. going directly from Mr.. .,argent's
office to the White House at o'clock
for that purpose
While no authorized statement of the
counter Sroposition could be obtained,
it can be stated on excellent authority
that Mr. Mitchell. in criticism of the
proposition of tho operators, took eX-
ception To the disparagcment of the
miners union and TO the limitation of
tie time in which, under the proposed
agreement, there is to be no strike. His
particular objection, however was 10
The insistcnse of the mine owners that
they should be permitted to designate
the calsses from which the arbitartors
should be drawn by the President. II