Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-16
Convention Necessary.
THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE.
Mr.. ,Iitchcll,s Objections to the op-
orators, Position.

IhE. -u1tChC1iS oUISCt4OuS ~ &Ae ops
orators, Positions.
WASHINGTON, D. c., October 15.-
Mr.. Mitchell indicated formally to-day to
President Roosevelt that the Mine Work
ers' Union dissented from the restrictions
placed by the operators on the choice of
the proposed arbitration tribunal. and de-
sired the President to have an absolutely
free hand in the selection of the members
Of the commission to be charged with the
adjustment of future relations between
the employers and employed. He laid
special stress In stating his objections on
the proposition that one of the commits
sion should be a judge from the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania. He was very
insistent on some Of his objections, In
which he voiced what might be termed a
counter-proposition to that of the opera
tors.
CALL FOR MEETING OF COMMIT
TEES.
After the matter was gone over freely
with the President, Mr.. Mitchell sent out
call for a meeting Of the Executive
Committee of the three anthracite dis
trcts of Pennsylvania.
President Roosevelt, having ascertained
the Views of Mr.. Mitchell. at once COM
municated with the operators and ini-
tiat / effol is to reconcile the differences
and to have the operators make some 1ur-
ther concessions, his aim being by mu-
tual concessions, to reach q common ac-
cord between miners and operators where
by the labor dispute may be finally COM
posed and mining Of coal resumed.
TWO EXTENDED CONFERENCES.
The progress made to-day was accom-
plished by means chiefly of two EXTENDED
conferences between President Roosevelt
Tt, the nreSident of the
United Mine Workers Of Amreica. At the
conclusion of the conferences, Mr.. Mitchell
said he had no information which he could
give to the public. When the last con-
ference had been concluded, Mr.. Mitchell
left the White House, and, after a brief
conference with President Samuel Com
pers, departed for Wilkesbarre, Pa.
BY INVITATION OF THE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Mitchell's visit to Washington was
by invitation of President Roosevelt, who
asked him to come to Washington in order
that they might discuss the terms of the
proposition submitted to the President
last Monday night by the anthracite coal
railway presidents.
AT the first conference. which lasted
from 80 A M. until 1855 P M, the
President and Mr.. Mitchell discussed fully
the proposition made by the operators
for an arbitration commission. In gen.
eraI way the miners president indicated
certain objections. which he had to the
proposition of the operators, but, it is un-
derstood, did not at that. time present his
objections in formal statement.
A COUNTER PROPOSITION.
At the conclusion of the first conference
Mr.. Mitchell walked over to the Treasury
Department. where for two hours he re-
manned closeted with Frank p. Sargent,
Commissioner of immigration, in the lat
ters office. 1t is believed that at the con-
clusion of the conference Mr.. Mitchell had
formulated a statement akin to coun-
ter proposition to that made by the oper-
ators. This he later presented to the
President. going directly from Mr.. Sar-
gents Office to the White House at 5
o'clock for that purpose
While no authorized statement of the
could be obtained, it
can be stated on excellent authority that
Mr.. Mitchell, in criticism of the PROPOSE
ticn of the operators, took exception to
the disparagement OF the miners union
and to the limitation of the time in which
under the proposed agreement there was
to be no strike. His particular objec-
ton, however, was to the insistence OF
the mine owners that they should be
which the arbitrators should be drawn
by the President.
IN FACT AS WELL las IN NAME.
Il is understood that he took a firm
stand against the proposition, saying he
was satisfied the miners would not sub
nit to any arbitration which should not
be arbitration in fact as well as in name.
Mr.. MITCHELL in his counter-proposition
insisted that President Roosevelt be given
a free hand in the selection of the board
of arbitration, and that the terms under
which the operators propose to create
that board should be remodelled. at least
to some extent. It is understood also
that the wording OF the mine operators
proposition, omitting any reference to the
miners union did not meet Mr.. Mitchell's S
approval. He desired. if possible. to OBJ
tain some formal recognition Of the
union.
Mr.. Mitchell also expressly opposed the
restriction made in the operators propo-
sition limiting the selection OF Federal
Judge. one Of the arbitrat tors. to partic-
ular jurisdiction. 81 -
ANXIOUS TO END THE STRIKEi.S
Mr. Mitchell assured the President or
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