The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-10-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

WASHINGTON, Oct. b, 1902.
Intense interest, followed by disap-
pointment, has attended the conference
of railway presidents interested in the
anthracite coal mines and president
Mitchell of the Mine Workers Union,
called by President Roosevelt When
the Presidents eloquent appeal to the
interested parties was first made public
there was general impression that the
conference would prove successful. The
concluding words of that appeal were, II
do not invite discussion of your respec-
tive claims. and positions. I appeal to
your patriotism, to the spirit that sinks
personal considerations and makes indi-
vidual sacrifices for the general good"
In response to this appeal Prest. Mitchell
offered to order the strikers to return to
work Immediately and leave all differ
ences to be subsequently adjudicated by
a tribunal which should be entirely ap-
pointed by the President. The railway
presidents refused to consider the offer.
They pointed in glowing colors the failure
of the state authorities to presrve law and
order and appealed to the President to
protect their property and those work.
men who were willing to enter the mines
on the old terms from the lawlessness
and violence of the strikers. The Pres.
ident urged again upon them full consid-
Grafton of the suffering which must inev-
itably come to the general public as
result of their persistent maintenance of
their rights. Further than that he did
not argue the case and the meeting
dispersed.
The only apparent result of the con-
ference was to demonstrate that the op-
orators are unqualifedly unwilling to in
the remotest degree recognize the union,
and the miners were unwilling to aban-
don their union in the interest of suf-
fering public. 1t is freely predicted that
the President is determined that the
strike shall end and that he has further
measures in contemplation. By some it
is alleged that he will convene Congress
in special session, by others that he will
appeal 10 Governor Stone to restore order,
or in the event of his inability to do so to
call for regular troops. What the Pres
ident really intends 10 do probably no
man knows, but there is general feeling
that he will find some way of protecting
the interest Of the American people in
this serious crisis.
~
Washington today is gay with bunting
in honor of the Grand Army Encamp-
ment, and every preparation has been
made for the entertainment of the veteran
visitors. Stands for guests line Pennsyl-
vania avenue and opposite the White
House is specially ornamental stand for
the accommodation of the President and
the distinguished party which will review
the grand parade. Camp Roosevelt, ON
the Mall, Immediately back of the White
House, has been laid out and thousands
of tents dot. the beautiful park. Conven-
ton Hall, where the meetings of the en-
campment will be held, is a mass of color,
flags and bunting having been used in
the greatest profusion. The railroad
officials estimate that by Wednesday
nearly half million guests will be in
Washington and the reception committee
is actively engaged in securing accom-
modations for this vast number.
~
Notwithstanding the exciting events of
the past week, the President continues to
regain his health and will review the
parade on Wednesday with General Ter
race, Commander in Chief of the G. A. R.,
and large party of distinguished men.
After Wednesdays parade the President
hopes to be able to return with Mrs.
Roosevelt to Oyster Bay for at least two
weeks rest and recuperation.
*x*
The great struggle between the anthra-
cite mine operators and their employees,
together with the increased interest in the
relations between capital and labor have
resulted in bringing to the Carnegie In
stitution in this city an immense number
of requests that the Trustees of the Insti-
tuition take up the question and make a
thorough investigation of the whole sub
ject. 1t is argued that such an investi.
CATION and the findings resulting there
from would prove of the utmost benefit to
the science of political economy and to
the general public, and the deductions of
the scientists who would be employed by
the Institution would be received with
greater credence by the people than those
of any department of the government,
whose investigations are too often sus-
pected of being biased by the political
views of the administration Mr. o. P.
Austin, chief of the bureau of statistics of
the Treasury Department, told Your cor
respondent recently that he believed the
scheme a most excellent one and he