Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-10-01
Heads of Coal Roads and
Miners Invited byPres-
ident Roosevelt.
MEETING FOR FRIDAY
In Hopes of Adjusting
the Prevailing An
thracite Strike.


ence of the president and members
of his cabinet on the coal strike sit
uation was resumed at 1O:3O this
morning.
The conference closed shortly be-
fore noon, when a statement was Civ
en- out at the White House on its re-
suits. 1t is a letter addressed to all
the presidents of the coal carrying
roads and John Mitchell, president of
the Miners Union, inviting them TO
meet the president Friday next for Il
conference. The president sent tel
egram to each president requesting
him to meet him in Washington at IL
Friday morning.
Claim No Remedy.
Washington. Oct. 1.-The president
yesterday took initiative steps to as
certain what, if anything, could be
done by federal authority to settle the
coal strike. The result was Il conclu-
sion that there was no law warranting
federal interference in the strike. At
the temporary White House a confer
ence was held with three cabinet Off
cers-Attorney General Knox, Secre-
tary Moody and Postmaster General
Payne. Governor Crane. of Massachu-
sets, also was present. These gentle
men met with President Roosevelt first
and after the subject had been con-
sidered for some time they adjourned
to another room and conferred to-
gether for an hour. They all returned
later in the day and held another con-
ference with the president. and the
strike situation was thoroughly dis
cussed.
No Law for the Receiver Scheme
Many appeals have been made to
the president and many suggestions
has been received by him relating to
the strike, and it was with a view to
ascertaining what power the federal
authority could evoke that the confer
ence was held During the conference
every phase of the situation was dis
cussed The question of the right to
seek the appointment of receivers for
the mines, in order that they might be
operated. was discussed. but neither in
the constitution nor in any known law
could any legal warrant be found for
such action. though the discussion on
such lines even went so far as the con-
sideratiOn of how the properties could
be relinquished and control surrend-
cred after the object of supplying coal
had been accomplished. assuming that
the federal government could inter-
vene through receivers.
President Would Be Glad to Act.
During the day adyices We're re-
ceived that the strike might be settled
by the operators and miners them
selves, and it was suggested that hasty
eral government might prevent the
consummation of the plans for a strike
settlement, il any such were matur-
ing. While recognizing the futility of
efforts to end the strike, that could
accomplish nothing, it was stated that
the president was anxious that the end
of the strike should be brought about
at the earliest possible moment, and
that if the attorney general or any
other member of the cabinet could de-
wise method by which the president
could proceed he would not hesitate
TO adopt it unless meanwhile assur-
ances of settlement were received.
Will Talk 1t over Again.
The conference will be resumed to-
day, at which time Secretary Root,
who spent yesterday in New York,
will be present. 1t is understood that
the visit of Secretary Root to New
York was for the purpose of consult
mig prominent business men on the
subject. 1t has been intimated that
the president may send for the man.
ayers of the coal properties. but this
will not be done until after the confer
ence today, and perhaps not then.
JONES OF THE GOLDEN RULE