The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-10-16
TALK WAS RED HOT.
Governor 0deII Gives Coal Operators
a Well Deserved Roast.
YORK EXECUTIVE HITS HARD.
He Tells r1r. Baer That The Owners
of the Times Have Not Acted With
Fairness to the Public.

New York, Special.-"What do you
mean by politicians? l want you and
all the other operators to understood
that am the Governor of New York,
the chosen representative Of 100000
Of people, and that l Inn here in this
matter solely in that capacity and to
relieve if possible an intolerable stu
alton. And what is more, l intend to
use every power at my command to do
it." Governor Odell made this state
ment to President Baer, Of the Read
ing Railroad, in the presence of United
States Senator'S Platt, Of New YORK,
and Quay and Penrose, Of Pennsyl-
vania. 1t was the elimination OF q
rather heated interview In the office Of
Senator Platt and the result Of the
first meeting between Governor Odell
and President Baer. Mr.. Baer was not
in the best of humor when, accompa-
MED by E. B. Thomas, chairman of
the board of directors Of the Erie Rail-
road, he entered Senator Platt's office.
The conference was begun by a state
ment made by Senator Penrose that
the situation was becoming so serious
that some solution must be found at
once. He suggested that operators
should incline to some concessions to-
ward a settlement. IF you mean oy
that" said President Baer, that we
are to recognize the existence OF a la
Dor union, l tell you right now that
the operators will consider no such
proposition"
Governor Odell was on his feet in
an instant. Holding a half burnt cigar
in his hand and white with excitement,
he said:
Are We to understand that no kind
of conciliatory proposition will receive
consideration at the hands Of the OPP
~erators?"
Il 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
in this, our affair"
Then it was that Governor Odell
made the statement attributed to him
at the beginning of this article.
President Baer, evidently appreciat-
ing that he had gone too far, bowed
to Governor Cdell and said:
Governor, | beg your pardon. No
personal affront "a intended and we
will listen to any suggestion you may
have to make; but again | repeat that
we must refuse to recognize the union
as represented by Mr.. Mitchell"
81 believe" said the Governor, that
your position from a public view Is alb
solutely u%ntenable. If coal operators,
railroad men and other business men
can combine for mutual profit and
protection, there Is no reason why la
boring men should not"
What is the proposition" asked
Mr.. Baer. coldly.
Just this" said Governor Odell, 81
am sure that the labor organization, OF
which Mr.. Mitchell is head, desires him
to be fair with the general public. II
the operators will consent to give the
men five cents a ton increase, | will
personally present it to the miners and
l believe they will accept it. 1t is a
fair proposition.
Does this mean, Governor Odell,
that W. are 10 recognize the miners
union?" Mr.. Baer asked.
1T certainly does" answered GoN-
ernor Odell, quickly, land there is no
reason why you should not"
Mr.. Baer and Mr.. Thomas rose to go,
Mr.. Thomas remarking that the mat
ter would be presented to the other OPP
orators and that an early answer would
be forthcoming. Mr.. Baer said: I'VE
are to meet a committee Of the Manu-
facturers' Association on Tuesday and
we may have an answer then
The conference broke up, Mr. Baer
and Mr.. Thomas withdrawing. Scna-
tors Platt, Penrose and Quay talked
over the matter for a short time and
then they, too. separated, the two
Pennsylvanians announcing that they
would go back to Harrisburg and dis
cuss the situation with Governor Stone.