The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-05
John Mitchell Has Nothing Fur ther to Say Except to Reiter- ate That the Struggle Will Go on and He Feels Conf- dent of Success.
DEFINITE CONCESSIONS
 NOT PROMISES WAN TED
He VIII Make No New Move Until He Has Consulted With the District Presidents--Mr Knox Crit
 icises Mir. Wilcox.

VA rILKESBARRE, PA, October 4- AAF President John Mitchell of the 2" United Mine Workers, accom- panied by District President T. D. Nich- oils of Scranton, arrived at strike head quarters from Washington tonight. Dis triet President Thomas Duffy of Hazle- ton and John Fahy of Pottsville did not come to Wilkesbarre, but went direct to their respective homes. MT. Nichols left for Scranton soon aster his arrival here. There was larger number of persons at headquarters waiting to see the miners chief.
 President Mitchell had nothing to say regarding the situation beyond what he said in his formal statement to the Presi- dent, and in his interviews at Washing ton. TIe reiterated, however, that the strike will go on just as 1t has heretofore, and that he felt just as confident of car- rying 1t to satisfactory conclusion as he did previous to attending the meeting of the presidents. He does not at this time contemplate any new move. and if any is to be taken he will first consult with the district presidents
 Discusses New Proposition.
 President Mitchell was shown the As- sociated Press dispatch from Washing ton to the effect that it has been suggest ed that the miners return to work and that congress and the Pennsylvania leg islature investigate the conditions pre- vailing in the hard coal field with the view of recommending remedial legisla- tion, but he declined to discuss the new proposition in any way. While he did not indicate what he thought of the proposed method for ending the strike it is believed he has his mind made up on that poitn, but would rather have the, proposition placed before him in some official way It is the general opinion about strike headquarters that the proposition in its present form would not be entertained by a convention of the miners. The strikers have all along argued they want some definite conces- sion and no promises.
 There was a rumor here tonight that the operators on Monday would post notices at all collieries requesting the men now on strike to return to work. MT. Mitchelfs attention was called to this and his only reply was that the operators have been making every effort since the strike started to get the men to return to the mines but have failed.
 Knox Criticses Wilcox.
 Washington, October 1.-The attorney general today stated that he had been asked about MT. wilcox's allegating at the meeting yesterday at the white house that he had written to the President and attorney general in June last calling at- tention to the fact that the United Mine Workers was a trust interfering with the operations of the Delaware and Hud- son company in mining coal in Pennsyl- vania. MT. Knox said:
 T did not take MT. Wilcox seriously upon this subject Any one desiring to know his calm views upon that subject deducted from the decision of the su- preme court would be much interested in two articles by MT, Knox, the first one entitled the Recent construction of the antitrust act in the Forum for December 1S9S and the other upon the 'Futility of the antitrust act in the Forum, Feb ruary 1900
 'In the first of these articles Mr. Will cox expresses his construction of the statute in these words:
 The statute applies to nothing save interstate commerce, which begins when the subjects thereof begin to move to their place of destination and ends when they are sold. Local facilities or individ- ual services incident to this operation are no part of interstate commerce and are not covered by the act
 sIn both his articles MT. Wilcox makes clear that he thinks mining and its oper- atoms are not within the provisions of the statute.
 Want Extra Session of Congress.
 Chicago, October 4.-Six thousand Illi- nois citizens during the last twenty-four hours have signed a petition asking President Roosevelt to call an extra ses- sion of congress to enact some measure for the prevention of a coal famine. One method suggested in the petition Is pro- vision for the appointment of tempor- ary receiver to operate the Pennsylva- mia mines which are closed on account of the strike. The petition is being cir culated all over the city of Chicago and throughout the state of Ili.nois under the direction of United States Senator Will liam E. Mason.
 There are numerous instances where temporary receivers have been appointed for the management of public utilities said Senator Mason, land which afford ample precedent for such an action in the present emergency. Ranroads have been thus treated by the courts upon the peti- ton of the people. have in mind, too. a case where dispute between a munici- nal government and 6 water works com 
 neople of a water supply resulted in the appointment of receiver until the trou- ble was settled"
 All Discuss the Strike.
 Washington, October 4.-Nearly all the y,sitors at the White House today dis russed the coal strike situation. Attor- nev General Knox and Secretary Root were the first visitors. Secretary Hay was with the President for some time. Senator Scott of West Virginia, who called, was asked by the President to ejve his views on the question. Carroll D Wright, commissioner of labor. called fo present to the President some statis- fics he had prepared concerning the sit nation. Postmaster General Payne, who attended all the preliminary strike con aftzrnoon. Comptroller of the Currency Ridgely also saw the President