Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-10-11

WANT YOU AND ALL THE OTHER
OPERATORS TO UNDERSTAND
THAT | AM THE GOVERNOR OF
NEW YORK, HE CHOSEN REPRE-
SENTATIVE OF SEVEN MILLION
PEOPLE, AND THAT | AM HERE IN
THIS MATTER SOLELY IN THAT
CAPACITY AND TO RELIEVE, If
POSSIBLE, AN lNToLERABLE SIT
UATION. AND WHAT Is MORE, |
INTEND TO USE EVERY POWER
AT MY COMMAND TO DO IT."
Governor Odell made this statement
to-day to President Baer, of the Read
ing road, in the presence of United
States Senators Platt, of New York,
and Quay and Penrose, of Pennsyl-
vania.
1t was thee Elimination of a rather
heated interview in the office of SEN
ator Plat, and the result of the first
meeting between Governor Odell and
President Baer
Mr. Baer was not in the best of hui
NOR when, accompanied by E. B.
Thomas, chairman of the board of d.
rectors of the Erie railroad, he en-
tered Senator Platt's office. The con-
ference was begun by statement
made by Senator Penrose that the
situation was becoming so serious that
some solution must be found at once.
He suggested that the operators
should incline to some concessions
toward a settlement.
Will Not Recognize Union.
IF you mean by that" said Presi-
dent Baer, that we are to recognize
the existence of labor union, | tell
you right now that the operators will
consider no such proposition"
Governor Odell was on his feet in
an instant. Holding half.burnt cigar
in his hand, and white with excite
ment, he said:
Are We to understand that no kind
of a conciliatory proposition will re-
ceive consideration at the hands Of
the operators?"
Il did not say that" answered Mr..
Baer, but I do say, and l reiterate
1t, that we will not accept political
advice or allow the interference Of
l-oliticians in this, our affair"
Then it was that Governor Odell
made the statement attributed to him
at the beginning of this article.
President Baer, evidently apprecia-
ating that he had gone too, bowed to
Governor Odell and said:
Governor, | beg your pardon. No
personal affront was intended, and we
will listen to any suggestion you may
have to make; but again l repeat that
we must refuse to recognize the union
as represented by Mr.. Mitchell"
Working Men Were Right to Combine.
~ Believe" SAID THE Gov
ERNoR, THAT YOUR POSITION
FROM A PUBLIC VIEW Is ALSO.
LUTELY UNTENABLE. IF COAL
OPERATORS, RAILROAD MEN AND
OTHER BUSINESS MEN CAN COM.
BlNE FOR MUTUAL PROFIT AND
PROTECTION, THERE Is NO REA.
SON WHY LABORlNG MEN SHOULD
NOT"
What is the proposition?" said Mr..
Bear, coldly
"Just this" said Governor Odell. II
am sure that the labor organization
of which Mr. Mitchell is head, desires
him to be fair with the general pub
lie. If the operators will consent to
give the men cents a ton increase
will personally present it to the
miners, and believe they will accept
It. 1t is fair proposition"
Does this mean, Governor Odell,
that we are to recognize the miners
union?"
cit CERTAINLY DoES,n GOVERN
OR oDELL ANSWERED QUICKLY,
"AND THERE is NO REASON WHY
YOU SHOULD NOT"
Mr.. Baer and Mr. Thomas rose to
go, Mr. Thomas remarking that the
matter would be presented to the
other operators and that an early
answer would be forthcoming. Mr..
Baer said:
I'VE are to meet committee of
the Manufacturers Association on
Tuesday. and we may have an answer
then"
The conference broke up, Mr.. Baer
and Mr.. Thomas withdrawing. Sena
tors Plat. Penrose and Quay talked
over the matter for short time, and
then they, too, separated, the two
Pennsylvanians announcing that they
would go back to Harrisburg and dis
cuss the situation with Governor
Stone.
Governor Odell was not In talking
mood when he left the conference