Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-10-18
Resents Vigorously Slur Cast Upon
Him by Mr.. Baer.

y 4 W. - w 10 ~ 80
mean by politicians? / ant you and
all the other operators to understand
that / am the governor of New YORK,
the chosen representative of TOOO,0OU
people, n hat l am here in this sole
ly in that capacity, and to relieve, II
possible, an intolerable situation. And
what il more. | intend TO use every pow
er at my command to dO IT,"
Governor Odell made this statement
yesterday afternoon to President Baer,
of the Reading road, in the presence of
United States Senators Platt OF New
York, and Quay and Pehrose of Penn
sylvania. IT was the elimination of a
rather heated interview in the office of
Senator Plat, and the result of the
first meeting between Governor Odell
and President Ba6r.
Mr.. Baer was not in the best of hu-
NOR when, accompanied by +. b..
Thomas, chairman of the board OF di-
reCtors Of the Erie road. he entered
Senator Platt's Office. The conference
was begun by q statement made by
Senator Penrose that the situation vas
becoming so serious that some solution
must be found as once. He suggested
that the operators should incline t"
some concessions toward a settlement.
No Recognition of Union.
If O mean by that said President
Baer, that we are TO recognize the eN-
istence of q labor union; / tell you right
now that the operators Will consider no
such proposition"
Governor Odell was on his feet in an
instant: White with excitement, he
said:
Are we to understand h a no kline
of 4 ConCiliatory proposition viii re-
ceive consideration at the hands of the
opcrators?'
II did not say that" answered Mr.,
Baer, but | do say, and reiterate It,,
that we will not accept political advice
or allow the interference of politicians
i'm this,our affair."
Then 1t was thai Governor Odell
made the statement attributed to him
at the beginning of this article.
President .Baer; evidently appreciat-
ing tina he had one too far, bowed to
Governor Odcll and said:
Governor, | beg you pardon. No
personal aflront was intended, and we
will listen to n suggestions you nay
have TO make; but again | repeat that
we must refuse to recognize the union
as represented by Mr.. MITCHELL
Operators Position Untenable.
II believe" said the governor, that
your position ron a public view is abb
sOiutely u~ntenab.e. If coal operators,
railroad men and other business mer
can combine lbl lllulNtl Iibll dl' lA'
lection, there is no reason why the
laboring men should not
What is The proposition? said Nh.
Baer CoIdly,
Just this" said Governor Odeil; Il
am sure that the labor organization
Of which Mr.. Mitchell is the head de
silcs him to be fair with the genera.
pubic. If the operators will consen,
to give the men 5 cents a ton incre2se
| VIII personally present it 10 thy
miners, and | believe they will acCep.
it. It is a fair proposition
Does this mean, Governor OdeII,
that we are to recognize the miners
union?' Mr.. Baer asked.
1T certainly does answered Gov
ernor Odell quickly, and there is no
reason why o 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.
Mir. Baer said:
I'VE are to meet a committee Of the
Manufacturers association on Tues
day. and we may have an answer
Them
Odoll Talks Vigorously.
Governor Odell vas not in a talking
mood when he left the conference. He
went directly 10 the run avenue H.
tel, ana during most of the afternoon
received many callers. To one Of these
the governor said:
The coal operators may postpone
this matter until Tuc2day, but | don't
propose to postpone it. They are not
actiyg fairly toward the people. l be-
lieve | shall find some remedy
About ; O'Clock John Mitchell, ac-
| companicd by l.. n. Hammerling, Of
Wnk,s0arre. called and had a long con-
ference. While this was going on a dis
patch announcing that the operators
refused to consider the terms offered
by the governor was received.
When the conference was over Gov
ernor Odell refused to say what had ac-
CURED, and Mr.. Mitchell was equally
reticent. 1t is believed, however, that
Governor Odell presented his PROPOSE
ton for settlement to the leader of the
miners union. and that Mr.. Mitchell
said he would present it to the district
presidents in the hope that it would BE-
accepted.
Governor Odell said:
MIR. Mitchell was eminently fair, and
showed every disposition to adjust thu
serious situation