The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-16

dent Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor and some other local labor leaders. departed for Wilkesbarre. Pa
 MT. Mitchelrs visit to Washington was by invitation of President Roosevelt to consult over the terms of the proposition submitted to the President last Monday night by the railroad presidents.
 Not Barren of Results.
 While all persons having knowledge of the details of the days conference are ex- tremeiy reticent. enough is known to jus tify the statement that while they did not accomplish a settlement of the strike, they at the same time were not barren of tangible results. The discussion of the situation was entirely amicable. Mir. Mitchell was in a conciliatory mood and the President was very jealous in his efforts to promote settlement of the strike.
 At the first conference which lasted from 11:50 q. m. until 12:55 p. m., the President and MT. Mitchell discussed full ly the proposition made by the opera tors for an arbitration commission. In a general way the miners President indi- cated certain objections which he had to the proposition but it Is understood did not at that time present his objections in a formal statement.
 At the conclusion of the conference MT. Mitchell walked over to the Treasury De- partment where for two hours he re- mained closeted with Frank P. Sargent. Commissioner of Immigration. It is said that at the conclusion of the conference Mir Mitchell had formulated statement akin to a counter proposition to that made by the operators. This he later pre- scented to the President, going directly M- Go 1aks. OFT fo fhn "a House at o'clock.
 Mitchelrs Objections.
 While no authorized statement of the counter proposition could be obtained, it can be stated on excellent authority that MT. Mitchell, in criticism of the propo- sition of the operators, took exception to the disparagement of the Miners Union and the limitation of the time in which, under the proposed agreement. there Is to be no strike. His particular objection, however, was to the insistence of the mine owners that they should be permit ted to designate the classes from which the arbitrators should be drawn by the President. It is understood he took firm stand against this proposition, say ing he was satisfied the miners would not submit to any arbitration which would not be arbitration in fact as well as in name. He urged that this would not be the case If one side of the con troversy were afforded the advantage of naming the classes from which the arbi- trators were to be appointed.
 MT. Mitchell insisted that the President be given free hand in the selection of the board of arbitration and that the terms under which the operators propose to create that board to be remodeled at least to some extent,
 It is understood also that the wording of the mine operators proposition, omit ting any reference to the miners union, does not meet MT. Mitchell's approval. He desires, if possible, to obtain some for mai recognition of the union, although that is a technicality which he may waive subsequently as my any agreement to arbitrate the controversy, the miners will get general recognition of their union. Mir. Mitchell also expressly oppos- ed the restriction made in the operators proposition, limiting the selection of a Federal Judge as one of the arbitrators, to particular Jurisdiction.
 President as Mediator.
 It Is stated on excellent authority, although not the President or MT. Mitchell. that President Roosevelt agreed to present Mir. Mitchelrs contention to the operators.
 MT. Mitchell's second conference with HreSl0enL hOOSeVeit lasted Just tnlrty- five minutes and he left the White House at 3:45 He boarded Pennsylvania Ave nue car and went directly to the office of President Gompers of the Federation of Labor. There he met Mir. Gompers and James Duncan, vice-president of the Federation of Labor and several other labor leaders. Their consultation neces- sarily was brief as MT. Mitchell desired to leave on the first train for Wilkes barre. MT. Gompers and Mir. Duncan accompanied Mir. Mitchell to his train. the three walking close together and chatting earnestly. MT. Mitchell left the city at 4:50 for Wilkesbarre.
 Shortly after MT. Mitchell left the White House Secretary Root arrived and soon afterward the President and the Secre- tary left on an extended drive. As the President passed through the hall of the White House to the carriage he used one crutch to assist him in walking. To a group of newspaper men he remarked cheerily that he hoped in a day or two to be able to discard the crutch. Re ferring to his leg he said that it was the least of his troubles. He declined to make any statement regarding the con- ference with MT. Mitchell.