Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-08-27
LAST STAND
OF OPERATORS
Final Effort to Break Strike
Is Now Being Made.
Railroad Presidents Have
Only a Few More Days to
Fulfill Their Promises to
Compel Men to Surrender.

Fulfill Their Promises to
Compel Men to Surrender.
The presidents OF the coal-carrying
railroads yesterday held their weekly
meeting in New York city, and through
their press bureaus they are claiming a
complete victory over their striking
employees. They have given out a state
ment that there will be no arbitration
and that j. Pierpont Morgan will not
interfere. They also allege that miners
are applying daily for their former posi-
tions. This is the sum and substance
of the last bluff OF Baer and his COL
leagues and foreshadows that they are
nearing the day when the strikers will
be offered satisfactory terms to resume
work.
The meeting was conspicuous by the
absence OF one-half OF the railroad presi-
| dents and the representatives OF the in
divdual operators President Baer, of
the Reading; President Fowler, OF the
New York, Ontario and Western; Presl-
dent Underwood, of the Erie, and Presi-
dent Truesdale, OF the Delaware, Lack
men who went into the secret confer-
ence,
There was change In the meeting
place and instead Of the Central Rail
pf Af
meeting was held at Demonico's cafe
and the situation was thoroughly dis
cussed. 1t was given out that the re-
ports received were Of more optimistic
character, and Notwithstanding the let
ters the coal officials are receiving 1t
was decided to continue the fight on the
same plan as has been in force since
the trouble began.
Previous to the meeting President
Baer called on j. P. Morgan and had
long conference with him. After leav-
Ing him Baer went away for an hour
and then returned and held second
short conference with the financial king.
Mr.. Morgan refused to state what oc-
CURED, but it is alleged that he APP
proved the manner in which the rail-
road officials have conducted the strike
and assured the officers that they had
his hearty cooperation.
The meeting of tho coal officials was
not lengthy one. No one was present
excepting those whose mo surrender"
policy has been tried, consequently har-
mony reigned throughout the session.
BY o'clock 1t was over and the various
officers had returned to their Offices.
President Baer, as spokesman, said:
There is no change In the situation
and we are going ahead as we have been
for the last three months. 1t is mprov-
Ing every day; more men are coming
back daily. cannot say exactly when
there will be break in the strike.
There is no change In the policy OF the
operators. The issues do not admit OF
arbitration and arbitration, therefore,
no matter from what source it emanates,
cannot be considered. Nothing has oc-
CURED or can occur which will change
the policy OF the operators. We are
simply waiting until the miners come
back"
A significant fact yesterday was that
every effort of the reporters to procure
from Mr.. Morgan statement that he
would not interfere in the strike result
ed in failure. George w. Perkins, of
the firm of Morgan & Co., who was
present at the conferences between
Baer and Morgan, also refused to deny
that a settlement is soon probable.
MUST RESUME THIS WEEK.
To carry out the promises of Presi
dent Baer desperate attempt is to be
made to resume work by the Reading
Company at Shenandoah. Everything
Is in readiness for the test OF strength
that will come within day cr two when
the attempt to resume work is made
More men are said to be behind the
stockades than at any time since the
strike began, and the guards at all the
workings have been increased. The
POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT.