The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-02

the most prominent motive. In this connection the story is revived of the set- clement of the strike in 1900. The opera tors claim that when that strike was settled under stress of a political exigen- , cy the way was paved for the present strise They also claim that the strikers have hoped that political influence would again be sxerted in their behelf and the operators be compelled to make tufthsr concessions.
 The efforts of Senators Quay and Pcn- rose of Pennsylvania and Senator Pinkt of New York and Governor Stone of Pennsylvania have been pointed out aa a verification of the claim of the opera tors All this they have asserted is due to the settlement which was made in 1900. All these various questions have been discussed during the past few dayss together with the legal situation and the power of the federal administration in the premises and the conclusion that the President could do more by bringing the interested parties together than in any other way
 There will be no one present at Fridays meeting at the temporary White House but the principals. It is true that Friday is Cabinet day, and that Ii o'clock, the hour appointed in the invitations for the meeting of the magnates is the usual hour of assembling of the cabinet but ac- cording to the present understanding that cabinet meeting will be postponed. The purpose of the postponement is plainly to relieve the invited guests from the feeling of reserve that might nasur- ally be created if they appeared before te entire cabinet. including some exceed insly clever lawyers whom the coal peo- pie might not care to meet in a business way in the absence of their own legal advisers.
 So the absence of the cabinet will give the President an opportunity to do just what he wants, namely, to have a good heart to heart talk with the operators and Mir. Mitchell to induce them to talk to each other freely and to reason quiet ly and soberly and finally to agree. if possible to make concession on each side which will terminate the strike And. at least. If this last object cannot be direct ly attained, 1t is hoped that the founda- tons may be laid for an agreement in the near future. perhaps an agreement between the principals to have further meetings and perhaps to refer open issues between them to third parties
 It Is said positively that the President has no assurances from either side which formed the basis of his call for this meet ing. But when Secretary Root was in New York yesterday and the night pre-
 
 Presidents, whose name appears in to- days list of invitations. It was stated that the meeting was a casual one, but no statement could be extracted touch ing the personality of the other great forces that are operating in this strike who might have been seen by the War Secretary in his peace mission. Other great financial forces than MT. Morgan competent to exercise a tremendously
 
 rAtions exist in New York, and 1t Is sur missed that with some of these the Sec- retary not unacquainted in a business way in that circle may have had inter- views during his visit.
 President Roossvelt's proposition for q gathering here Friday of representatives of the coal companies and coal operators and the miners met a prompt response from a number of the men to who invi- tations were sent. During the day the President received replies to his invita- tons from President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers; President George P. Baer of the Reading Railroad Sys- tenn and one or two others MT. Baer's prompt reply to the Presidents susses- ton was particularly gratifying to Pres ident Roosevelt, as it was believed that in all probability his acceptance wall in- sure favorable replies from other officials WnO were invited. MT. bder naS dcIcu as the spokesman for the operators in the various statements that has been put forth from time to time in reply to the miners representatio IS and it is realized that his influence will be potent factor in any conference thet take place. The President is expressing the keenest inter est in the coming gathering and ex- presses the hope that it will result in steps that will bring about the cessation of the strife.
 President A. J. Cassett of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad is among those asked to join Fridays conference. The Presi- dent has the greatest respect for Mir Cassatt's we'll known business ability and good judgement and is anxious that he should give the conference the benefit of his opinions. No reply had been re- received from him tonight though it is not doubted that he will attned.