The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-14
President Mitchell Meets the
District Officers.
Appears to Be Feeling Against
Morgan Proposition.
ARE ALL RETICENT.
Say That Miners Will Have to
Decide.
Prospect of Immediate Settle
ment Net Bright.
MORGAN GOES HOME.
After White House Conference
Returns to New York.
President Roosevelt Waiting to
Hear from Mitchell.
Text of the Operators Proposal
of Arbitration.
After White House Conference
Returns to New York.
Text of the Operators Proposal
of Arbitration.

Wilkesbarre, Pa. Oct. 14.-President
Mitchell was asked at noon by the cor
respondent of the Associated Press
whether he and the district officers had
the power to consider the operators
plan and end the strike. His reply was:
without special reference to the
statement issued by the coal operators.
It is a rule of our organization that no
settlement can be made by the officers
of the union without the consent OF a
delegate convention
In reply to another question. as to
whether the Shamokin convention which
formulated the demands to the OPERA
tors. or the Hazleton convention, which
made the strike permanent, had given
him this consent he said: No
The three district presidents are on
their way here. President Mitchell will
Immediately go into conference with
them on the new offer TIE miners
chief refused to say whether conven-
tiOn call will pe considered today or
when orSwhere such a meeting. If neld.
will take place. He also declined to say
how long it would take TO get the dele
gates together.
Mr. Mitchell continues to decline to
answer all questions as to whether he
is for or against the operators plan as
a whole OF in part. He has not yet re-
tors desire to arbitrate.
There were lively scenes about strike
headquarters today. Mine workers and
leaders who have not been near head
quarters in many days dropped In to
hear the news. Mr. Mitchell had a num-
Der Of visitors, among them Lewis Ham
merling, who acted as missionary be-
tween Mr. Mitchell and Senators Quay
and Penrose in their conferences with
the coal road presidents in New York
az traal - a1-ltDp in
hurriedly, stayed but short time and
left without giving informa ton to any
one. 1t is evident that he carried a
message to Mr.. Mitchell from some
one.
One of the local leaders who came in
from the outlying territory. made this
statement in the hotel lobby:
The men as a rule are angry at the
proposition made by the operators. They
say they would rather go down to
straight defeat than surrender 10 the
operators on the arbitration plan they
propose"
This. however. must not be taken as
the sentiment of all the men. There
are many who see a ray of hope in the
situation. A disposition is shown among
many to trust to the good offices of the
president of the United States
WAITING TO HEAR FROM
MITCHELL.
Washington. Oct. 14.-At noon today
It was said at the temporary White
House that no communication relative
to the proposition of the anthracite coal
operators had been received from Presi-
dent John Mitchell 1f the United Mine
Workers. The proposition was not
Transmitted to President Mitchell Off
cia1Iy either by President Roosevelt or
by the coal operators. 1t was addressed
10 the public and it is assumed that Mr..
Mitchell win take cognizance of it
from the press. In the event he should
not do So however. il is possible that
Al L.
of the proposition of the operators. In
asmuch as the communication from the
operators was in the shape of an ad-
dress to the public it is possible that
Mr. Mitchell may make his reply in a
similar manner.
The president has agreed to appoint
the commission suggested by the coal
operators provided such a commission
should prove satisfactory to the miners
During the early part of today the
president had several conferences, all
bearing upon the strike situation. Sec
retary Root called at the White House
Immediately after the departure o1
Messrs J. Pierpont Morgan and Robert
s. Bacon for New York. and had briet
interview with the president.
Soon afterward Frank 2. Sargent
commissioner of immigration, had a
conference with the president He de-
clined to discuss the object of his inter
view, but it was believed to be with
reference to the personnel of the pro-
posed commission.
Commissioner of Labor Carroll d
Wright also had an extended interview
with the president. At its conclusion
while he declined to discuss it, he ex-
pressed the belief that the coal strike
was on the eve of settlement He had nc
information from President Mitchell.
The feeling at the White house is op-
tinistic. The belief is general amone
official and civilian callers that a Ions
step has been taken toward final set
tlement of the strike. Until Mr. Mitchell
makes his reply no further action on tn,
part Of the president is expected.
It developed today that the main fea
lures of the operators proposition wer,
discussed and in a general way agree
to at the conference between Secretar,
Root and ]. PierDont Morgan in New
York on Saturday last Mr. Morgan
was very anxious to bring about an ad
justment and Secretary Root was abb
TO point out means whereby the mali
obstacles TO yielding on the part of tn,
operators could he removed.
BAER SAYS 'THEMS MY SENTI-
MENTS "
New York. Oct. 14.-President Raer O
the Philadelphia & Reading railroad
arrived here from Philadelphia TODAY
He said he had come to attend the reIu
lar weekly meeting Of the Temple Irol
company.
do you consider that the proposition