The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-16


posed commission or board to arbitrate the
between the miners and oper-
ators. Mr.. Mitchell indicated formally to-
day to President Roosevelt that the Mine
Workers Union dissents from the restric-
tons placed by the operators on the choice
of the proposed arbitration tribunal and
desires the President to have an absolutely
free hand in the selection of members of
the commission to be charged with an adj
justment of future relations between the
employers and employed. He laid special
stress in stating his objections ON the prop
osition that one of the commission should
be a Judge from the Eastern division of
Pennsylvania. He was very insistent In
some of his objections. which he voiced in
what might be termed counter-proposi-
ton 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.. Mitchells, a call was sent out by
President Mitchell for a joint meeting to-
morrow OF the executive boards of the
Mine Workers Union for the three anthra-
cite districts of Pennsylvania. At this
meeting, Ii Is believed, an agreement will
be reached on a statement to be officially
promulgated by the Miners Union in re-
Spouse to the proposition from the oper-
ators. President Roosevelt. having ascer-
tanned the views of Mr.. Mitchell, at once
communicated with the operators and in
itiated efforts to reconcile the differences
developed and to have the operators make
some further concessions, his aim being to
reach common accord between miners
and operators whereby the labor dispute
may be finally composed and mining Of coal
resumed
At the conclusion of the conference Mr..
Mitchell said he had no information which
he could give to the public. 1t was an
nounced, likewise, at the temporary
White House that no official statement of
the conference would be made at this time.
When the last conference had been con-
cluded Mr.. Mitchell left the White House
and after brief conference with President
Samuel Gompers, Of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor, and some other local labor
leaders, departed for Wilkesbarre, Pa.
INVITED TO WASHINGTON.
Mr.. MitcheIps visit to Washington was by
invitation OF President Roosevelt, who
asked the miners president TO come to
Washington in order that they might dis
cuss the terms of the proposition submitted
to the President last Monday night by the
anthracite coal railroad presidents in the
hope that the miners and the operators, as
a result of the conference, might be
brought into agreement as to the appoint
ment by President Roosevelt of commits
sion to arbitrate existing differences be-
tween them.
oil hA~ vf~ax Ixn4x led rr<
the details of the conferences are extreme
ly reticent, enough Is known to justify the
statement that, while they did not accom-
plish settlement of the strike, they at the
same time were not barren of tangible re-
suits. Some obstacles TO a settlement re-
main. The discussion OF the situation was
entirely amicable. Mr.. Mitchell was in a
conciliatory mood and the President was
very jealous In his efforts to promote a set
Element of the prolonged strike.
At the first conference, which lasted from
11:50 a. m. until 1855 p. m, the President
and Mr.. Mitchell discussed fully the propo-
sition made by the operators for an arbi-
tration commission. In general way the
miners president indicated certain objec-
tons which he had - the proposition OF
the operators, but 1T is understood did not
at that time present his objections in a for
NAL statement.
At the conclusion of the first conference
Mr.. Mitchell walked over to the Treasury
Department, where for two hours he re-
manned closeted with Mr. Frank p Sar-
gent, commissioner of immigration, in the
latter's Office. During that time Mr.. Mitch.
ell communicated by long distance tele-
T.
wilkesbarre. 1t is understood that at that
time he called q meeting of the district
mine presidents to be held in Wilkesbarre
tomorrow. He discussed fully the strike
situation with Mr.. Sargent, with whom he
has had a longtime friendship. Mr.. Sar-
gent until recently having been president
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
Commissioner Sargent has been an impor'
tant factor in the efforts made by President
Roosevelt to effect a settlement Of the con
troversy between the miners and the oper'
ators and, therefore, was in position tC
talk frankly with Mr.. Mitchell. Theil
conference was as earnest as 1t was long
1t il believed that at its conclusion Mr.
Mitchell had formulated a statement akir
to a counter proposition to that made by
the operators. This he later presented t.
the President, going directly from Mr.
Sargent's office to the White House at
o'clock for that purpose.
OBJECTIONS TO BAERS PLAN.
While no authorized statement of thu
counter proposition could be obtained. 4
can be stated on excellent authority tina
Mr. Mitchell, In criticism of the proposition
of the operators, took exception to the dis
paragement of the miners union and to TIL
limitation Of the time in which, under tn,
proposed agreement, there is to be m
strike His particular objection. however
was to the insistence of the mine owner
that they should be permitted to designat
the classes from which the arbitrator
should be drawn by the President. 1t il
understood that he took a firm stan,
against this proposition, saying he was sat
isfied the miners would not submit to an.
arbitration which would not be arbitration
in fact as well as in name. He urged tina
this would not be the case IL one side to tn
controversy were afforded the advantage o
naming the classes from which the arbitra
| tors were to be appointed. He expressed
| himself as being as anxious ever for ar
| bitration, but planted himself sQuarely Of
/ the proposition that the President shoul
be allowed to name the arbitrator withou
| any restrictions or limitations made eithe
| by the miners or by the mine owners.
| Mr.. Mitchell, In his proposition
insisted that President Roosevelt be give
a free hand in the selection OF the board o
| arbitration. and that the terms unde
which the operators propose to create tina
/ board be remOdeied at least to some ex