Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-11
0DELL RERUkES BAER
81
Sharp Colloquyin Strike Con-
ference Yesterday.
1as.-.
tGsI-
RECOGNITION OF UNION
ut
ISi 8,
THE BONE OF CONTENTION BE-
TWEEN INTERESTS.
Governor Told the Aailroad President
He Would Have to Recede From
His Position.

According to the later reports Of the coal
strike conference In New York yesterday a
heated colloQuy took place between Gov
ernor OdelI and President Baer, the spokes-
man of the operators.
The conference was begun by q state
ment made by Senator Penrose that the sit
uatien was becoming so serious that some
solution must be found at once. He sug
gested that the operators should incline to
some concessions toward a settlement.
IF you mean by that" said President
Baer, that we are to recognize the exist
ence of labor union. I tell you right
that the opera tors will consider no such
proposition
Governor OdelI was on his feet in an in
slant Holding half-burned cigar in his
han and white with excitement. he said:
Are we to understand that no kind of
a conciliatory proposition will receive con-
sideration at the hands of the operators?'
II did not say that" answered Mr.. Baer,
'but l do say. and / reiterate it, that we
will not accept political advice or allow the
interference of politicians in this our af-
fair
Odell Replies Holly.
what do YOU mean by politicians re-
torted the governor hotly. Il want you and
all the other operators to understand that l
am the governor of New York, the chosen
representative of 100000 people, and that
T am here in this matter solely in that
capacity and to relieve, if possible an intol-
cradle situation And what Is more. L IN
tend to use every power at my command
to do it,
President Baer. evidently approaching
that he had gone too far, bowed to Gov
ernor Odell and said:
"Governor I beg your pardon. No per-
sonal affront was intended. ana we VIII
listen to any suggestion you may have to
make; but again | repeat that we must re-
fuse to recognize the union as represented
by Mr.. Mitchell
II believe" said the governor. that your
position from public view is absolutely I'M
teuable If coal operators. railroad men
and other business men can combine for
mutual profit and protection, there is no
reason why laborfng men should not
What is the proposft3op?" said Mr.. Baer.
coldly. 81.
Just this" said Governor Odell. 81 am
sure that the labor, organization of which
Mr. Mitchell Is head I'D aSireS him to be fair
with the general public If the operators
will consent to give ithe men cents a ton
increase l will personally present it to the
miners. and I believe they will accept it. 1t
is fair proposition. I'M
To Recognize the Union.
Does this mean, Governor Odell, that
we are to recognize the miners union?' Mr..
Baer asked. 4 "a
1T certainly. does, answered Governor
Odell. quickly; ''and there'is no reason why
you should not" '-24a"
Mr. Baer and Mr.. Thomas rose to go. Mr..
Thomas remarking thatEthe matter would
be presented to the other operators ana
that an early answer Would be forthcoming.
Mr.. Baer said:, .,us5- ..,..'..,,
I'VE are to meta committee of the Man
ufacturers' Association on Tuesday, and
we NAV have answer them.
The conference broke up Mr.. Baer ana
Mr.. Thomas withdrawing. Senators Platt,
Penrose and Quay talked over the matter
for a short time, and then they, too, sepa-
rated, the two Pennsylyantans announcing
that they would go back to Harrisburg and
discuss the situation with Gov. Stone.
Gov. Odell was not in a talking mood
when he left the conference He went d.
rectly to the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and dur
ing most Of the afternoon received callers.
Mayor Low, Arson G. McCook, Edward
Lauterbach, Congressman Lessler and Lit
tauer and Senator Platt were among his
callers To one of these the governor said:
odell Will Act Quickly.
1.-The coal operators may postpone this
matter until Tuesday, but 1 do not pro-
pose to postpone it. They are not acting
fairly toward the people. L believe l shall
find some remedy"
About o'clock John Mitchell. accom-
panied by L. N. Hammerling of Wilkes
barre, called and had a long conference.
While this was going on dispatch an
nouncng that the operators refused to con-
slider the terms offered by the governor was
received.
When the conference was over Gov. Odell
refused to say what had occurred and Mr.
Mitchell was equally reticent. 1t Is believ-
ed, however, that Gov. Odell presented his
proposition for settlement to the leader q
the miners union, and that Mr.. Mitchell
said he would present it to the district
presidents in the hope it would be accepted
Gov. Odell said: Mr.. Mitchell was emil
nently fair and showed every disposition to
adjust the serious situation"
According to the statements made by the
operators the prospects of settlement are
no more promising than they were yester-
day.
There is nothing to justify the assertion
that negotiations will be resumed next
Tuesday. AS one Of the coal presidents put
1t, 1.-The incident Is closed"
Wholly Unacceptable.
"The publicists," said this gentleman,
made number of suggestions, all of
which we turned down. These included
10 per cent increase in pay a decrease OF
working hours and recognition Of the
union, as well as number of other propo-
sitions which we regard as equally unde-
oatable. In fact We found it impossible to
negotiate with them, and said so.
What their next step will be cannot
say oul lheS uliueIStduu titit VIC SoiiiioI NC
| moved. l repeat that we will not meet
them again. 1t is frivolous and is bound to
| result in further iil-feeling."
Another operator said:
TT Is not for us tofconsider mere matters
OF political expedsency: Had so-cailer
statesmen kept theit hands off the strike
would have been settled long ago. We have
taken stand for principle and no amount
OF argument will bulge u.s.
j. P. Morgan. who conferred with several
OF the operators during the day would not
known that he has not swerved from his
| purpose not to become a-party to the con-
troversy. III n
FOSTER oNaaTHE STRIKE.