The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-10-09
THANKS ROOSEVELT FOR
KINDLY INTERPOSlTION
But Says, in Brief, That the Miners Cam
not Listen to Any Proposition to Re-
treat One Inch From the Position That
They Have Taken and Which They
Mean to Hold, No Matter What May
Happen, Until Their Point Is Gained.
my ASSOCIATED rRrss.1


Washington, Oct. 0.--Prcsidcnt Mitchell
OF the coal miners union has refused to
comply with the appear of President Roose-
welt To call the strike Off His letter TO
the president, which was made public at
The White House today, dated from Wilkes
barre, Pa. is as follows
10 the Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, Pres
ident OF the United States, Washington.
ID. C.--Dcar Sir: Hon. Carroll -.
Wright has no doubt reported to you the
delivery oi your message to me last Mon
day and my statcmen, to him that |
should take your suggestion under advise.
meni although did not look upon il with
favor.
Since that time | have consulted with
our district presidents, who concur fully
IN my views
we desire To assure you again that we
feel kcenly the responsibility OF our posi-
ton aud the gravity Of the situation and
II would give MS great pleasure to take any
action which would bring this coal strike
TO an end III manner that would safe
guard the interests of our constituents.
Had Gone Half Way
In proposing that there be an immedi-
ate resumption OF coal mining upon the
conditions we suggested in the conference
al the White House. we believed that we
had gone more than half way and had
met your wishes.
~ IS unnecessary in this letter to re-
Ter 10 the malicious assault made upon us
III The response Of the coal operators We
ieel confident that you must have been inn
pressed with the fairness OF our PROPOSE
tion and the insincerity Of those who
maligncd us.
Having in mind our experience with
the coal operators In the past we have no
reason to have any confidence in their
Willingness to do MS justice in the future.
anu inasmuch as they have refused TO ac-
cept the decision Of tribunal selected by
you, and inasmuch as there is no law
through which you could enforce the find
ihss OF the commission you suggest, we
respectfully decline to advise our people TO
return TO work simply upon the hope that
the coal operators might be induced or
forced 10 comply with the recommends
ions OF your commission.
"As stated above, we believe that we
went more than half way in our PROPOSAL
at Washington, and we do not feel that
we should be asked TO make further sacri-
fees.
we appreciate your soicilude for the
people Of our country who are now and
will be subjected to great suffering and
inconvenience by prolongation of the
coal strike, and we feel that the onus Of
tins terrible state Of affairs should be
placed upon the eide which has refused to
refer to fair and impartial investigation"
Mitchell in New York.
New York, Oct. o.-President John
Mitchell Of the United Mine Workers,
who arrived in the city last night ac-
eompanied by District Presidents 7. ID.
Nichols, Thomas Duffy and John Fahy,
refused to answer any questions this
morning that would throw any light on his
plans, or contemplated movements.
There is nothing | can say as to my
purpose here" he said
lie was asked in particular as what took
place or was the outcome Of the conference
held last night with Senators Quay and
Pcnrosc and man said to be l.. II.
liammerlng, an independent coal operator
from Wilkesbarre. Some reports say that
Senator Plat and Chairman Dunn of the
New York republican state committee,
we're likewise present.
While Mr.. Mitchell was at breakfast
Moses W. Solomon, lawyer Of Chicago.
joined him The two talked for few
(COntInued on PAGE Eleven