Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-10-03
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandra Gazette
Washington, d. c., October ..

res ent hOOseSe' aPpoaiou
new role today, when he essayed the
mart Of peacemaker and mediator between
capital and labor in dispute which mas
already been more disastrous in Its con-
sequences than any other similar quarrel
The anthracite coal strike is now near
ing the end of its 2lst week. 1t cost to
both sides engaged in the struggle
amounts to many millions. Its effect
has been felt by the people ofall sections.
The President entered upon the con-
ference of today with the belief that,
backed by overwhelming public opinion,
he could persuade the opposing factions
n make concessions to each other which
will enable the mining to be resumed.
II Is the first time that a President has
ever placed himself in such posi-
ton. The conference today was
held in the temporary White House.
Those present were President Roose-
Welt. Secretary to the President Cortel-
YOU. Attorney General Knox, Commis.
sioner Of Labor Wright, President OF
the Reading Railroad Company Baer,
President of the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western Railroad Company Trues-
dale. Chairman of the Board Ere
Railroad Company Thomas, President
New York. Ontario and Western kall-
road Company Fowler, Vice President
and General Counsel of the Delaware
and Hudson Railroad Company Wilcox,
independent Coal Operators Marble,
President of the United Mine Workers
Mitchell. President of District No.
Nichols. President of District No. z Duffy
and President of District No. Fahey'
The President opened the conference by
expressing his qualification at the res
ponse which had been given to his teie-
grams of invitation to confer with HIM
and then proceeded to state that the
situation in the coal regions had become
a matter of vital concern TO the whoie
nation and declared that he had brought
the opposing sides together with the
purpose of seeing whether there was
not some way Of settling the differences
with honor to both sides and to the bene-
fit cf the public. When the President
concluded President Baer, for the opera
tors and President Mitchell for the
miners. responded, and then there was
a general discussion. The strike confer
ence was in session only 20 minutes after
which il adjourned to meet at 3 o'clock.
A statement is expected later.
The opinion is general here that the
conference will lead to settlemento of the
strike, although it is not expected that
ANYTHING more can be accomplished to-
day than presentation of both sides OF
the case, with suggestions ON the part
of each as to what would be accepted.
II is possible that, upon receiving GER
tain assurances from the operators, Mr..
Mitchell may be induced to call of tie
strike. Mr.. Gompers this morning ex-
pressed himself as hopeful that today's
meeting would result in cessation OF
| hostlities.
After the adjournment of the White
House Conference President Mitchell
and the three districts mine presidents
went into conference. President Nit
chell and President Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor were
closetel together where the district presi-
dents and Secretary Morrison Of the A.
f. of l.. occupied another room. The
coal operators also had a consultation
after lunch. There was considerable
comment on the fact that although
specially invited by the President TO
participate in the conference, President
Cassatt, of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
did not put in appearance.
The conference reassembled at 3
o'clock and at 4:30 O'Clock was still in
session, and no report had been given
out. q,
President Roosevelt was in as good
physical condition this morningas could
be expected in view of the injury to his
leg. DIR. Rixey was an early caller at
the White House and on leaving said
that his patient was progressing favor
ABLY. Secretary Root called at 100 clock
and was followed by Carol d. Wright,
the Commissioner of Labor, who went
over with the President the subjects
to be discussed at the coal strike confer
ence.
The Secretary of the Navy today
awarded to the Newport News Ship
Building Co. the contract for the build
ing of the battleship Louisiana. The
bid of this concern was SO, $50, 600, the
vessel to be completed il. Al months.
Comptroller of the Currency Ridgely
TODAY overruled the action of Secretary
of the Treasury Shaw in authorizing the
national banks to release the % per cent
reserve they have heretofore been reqnlr-
ed to hold against government deposits.
In the case OF certain bank which had
taken advantage ofthe Secretary spermis-
sion, Mr. Ridgely has held up the bank 5
statement and has refused to approve the
same until the 25 per cent reserve shall
have been recovered. He takes the ground
that all such matters are in the exclusive
control of the Comptroller, and that the
Secretary was without authority in giving
this permission to the banks. The result
1 will be the withdrawal from the money
market of all reserve funds thus released
from the various banks that had availed
themselves of the Secretary's offer. The
total amount was to have been $50, 500,
OO0' but it is not likely that all of this
amount had yet been distributed,
The laundry men of this city decided upon
an increase in the price of laundry work OF
from % to 80 per cent. on account OF the price
of coal
John r. King, of Baltimore, was today APP
pointed by President Roosevelt to be pension
agent in this city.
secretary of the Treasury Shaw announced
TODAY that at the close Of business yesterday