Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-10-16

/ the belief that such would be the
courteous course and best way Of pro-
mitigating the offer.
/ The next move will be the presen-
tatiOn of the matter to the miners and
! it is probable that Mitchell will be in
vited to Washington to consult the
president 1t is believed here he will
accept the proposition.
Operators Agreement.
Washington, Oct. 14-The operat-
ors have agreed to the appointment
of a commission to be appointed by
the president of the United States to
whom shall be referred all questions
at issue between the companies and
their own employees whether they be-
long to the union or not and the de-
cisiOn Of the commission is to consist
OF an army or navy engineer officer. an
expert mining engineer not connected
with the coal mining properties, one
Of the judges of the United States
| courts Of the eastern district of Penn
! sylVania, q man Of prominence, emin-
ent as a sOciOlOgist, and man who
| by active participation in the mining
and selling Of coal is familiar with
the physical and commercial features
OF The business. The operators also
make part Of their proposition that
, the miners shall return to work as
soon as the commission is constituted
and cease all interference with non
union men. The commission is to
name the date it's findings shall be
effective and to govern the conditions
OF employment between the companies
and their own employees for at least
three years.
The statement was read to the
president as an act Of courtesy before
| being given to the press.
Morgan Meets Roosevelt.
Washington, Oct 14.-J. Pierpont
Morgan and Robert s. Bacon, one of
his partners, arrived here last night
and were driven to the Arlington
hotel They refused to see anyone and
went at once to their rooms Their
visit indicates another important con-
! ference on the coal strike will take
place either with the president direct
or with Secretary Root, who has rep
resented the president in various eff
forts of the latter to bring about a
settlement, 1t was reported that
| President Baer also was here. but he
could not be found Shortly after
going to his room Morgan came down
stairs and left the hotel for the tenn
! pOrary white house where he was at
once shown upstairs and into the
room where the president was and 3
! conference on the strike situation be
gan.
! Washington Does Nothing.
! Washington, Oct. 14-Nothing was
! done about the coal strike in Washing
ron yesterday and it appears there is
noIning further that the administra-
ton can do at present. appeals made
to both operators and miners having
| proved unavailing. 1t has been dem
Cnstrated also that no effective legal
measures can be taken. It is believed
further appeals to either side by the
president would be fruitless. No
doubt some recommendation by the
president will be contained in his mes
| sage to congress. By that time he
will have further information on the
situation which will be gathered by
the commissioner Of labor. Carroll D.
Wright, and such men as may be des-
/ ignated to assist him in ascertaining
the actual situation in the mining re-
giOnS.
! While there is nothing tangible in
sight here, it is said there is a posi-
bllty that the strike may be settled by
forces at work in New York and else
where. 1t is understood powerful in
fuence is being exerted to this end.
There is reason to believe that the
coal operators may bring about a set
tlement and make it appear that no
outside influence, either by the presi-
/ dent or Governor Odell and the sena-
tors from Pennsylvania and New
York. were effective.
Peace Rumor Meant for West.
New York, Oct. 14-No settlement
of the strike in the anthracite region
has been reached and according to the
statements Of three leading operators
no reasonable basis has yet been sug-
gested to them. Any proposition en-
bracing a 10 per cent. increase will
be ignored. 1t was another busy day
for the operators. Before neon all Of
them except Baer were in conference
at tn office Of the Erie road Their
talk lasted over an hour but no
statement was made for publication.
Following this conference Chairman
Thomas Of the Erie road and Presi-
dent Truesdale of the Lackawanna
were closeted with J. P Morgan at
the latter's office. Morgan would not
talk about the situation nor would he
say anything regarding Secretary
Roots visit to him last Saturday.
In spite Of the countless reports to
the contrary, there is the best author
ity for stating that Morgan has, UP
to this time taken no active part in
any OF the settlement negotiations
He believes the matter rests with the
coal presidents and is reported to have
said as much to President Roosevelt
through Secretary Root last Saturday