Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-10-10
THE PLAN IS REJECTED
Coal Operators Say They viii Never
Yield to Strikers.
THE CONFERENCE IS A FAILURE.
Mine Owners Declare That Anarchy Prevails
In Pennsylvania Mitchell Will.
Ing to Submit the Entire Controversy to The
President to Be Adjusted by Arbitration
Through Commission.

Washington, D. D. (SpeciaD.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt is satisfied that the coal
strike is not to be settled through an
appeal to the humanity and patriotism
of those responsible for the present in
tolerable condition.
The conference between the President
and the representatives OF the contend
| ing forces has been concluded without a
settlement or promise of settlement by
the action of those to whom the Presi-
dent made his appeal. The captains OF
capital" and the captains of labor were
brought face to face in the presence of
| the chief Executive at the temporary
White House and called upon to lay
aside their personal differences in the in
terest of the whole country.
Mr.. John Mitchell, on behalf of the
miners, proposed sending the matter to
a board or commission of arbitration,
and offered to send the miners to work
if this were done. abiding without ques-
ton by the decision OF such an impair
tial tribunal.
The representatives Of the mine own
ers and railroads refused absolutely to
have any dealings with Mr.. Mitchell, or
to give any sort of recognition to the
union as having rights or interests to be
respected, and proposed simply, that any
individual miner having grievance
might present his case for settlement by
a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
Mr. Mitchell assumed the attitude OF
asking nothing but justice, and of being
willing to leave it to disintereSted par
ties representing the public to determine
what that justice should be. The repre-
sentatives of the mine owners and rail-
roads assumed the attitude OF refusing
to recognize that the organization repre-
sented by Mr.. Mitchell had any business
whatever in the case.
They could not be moved from this
position, and with the conference closed,
not to be resumed, the parties to the con-
trovesy are no closer than before.
The conference, as such, was failure,
yet it may mark the beginning of the end,
as it is regarded as almost certain that
the President will now bring the subject
to the attention of Congress. 1t is not
believed that the question will longer. be
considered with reference to the wishes
and interests of the two warning ele-
ments, but will be dealt with, as best 1t
may, as a matter OF vital public interest.
II is no longer a question OF what the
strikers or mine owners will do, but one
of what the representatives of the people
can do. =.
The spirit in which the captains OF
capital" entered upon the conference was
distinctly one of condescension, with an
air of self-conscious power, giving an
impression of defiance. Remarks made
by a member of the party to the effect
that if anyone knew what the President
would do now it was more than they
did appeared little short of sneerng.. -,
1t is expected that the question VIII
soon be up to Congress.
Two conferences were held, and the
interest displayed in both was intense.
In his statement of the case the Pres,
ident impressed upon the operators and
President Mitchell the great need to
the country OF a settlement. The min
ers submitted their proposition, which
in effect was that whenever there should
be differences between the operators
and their employees such differences
should be referred to tribunal to be
selected by the President for decision
and that both sides should abide by the
decision which should be rendered by
that tribunal, regardless OF its effect
upon either side.
The operators then submitted their
proposition. 1t was:
First-That under no circumstances
should they recognize or transact bust,
ness with Mr.. Mitchell, the president OF
the United Mine Workers, or any other
agent Of the union. ,o
Second-That should any differences
arise between employees individually and
EMPLOYERS such difference should be re-
ferred to the judge of the Court of Con-
mon Pleas located within the district
where the trouble originated.
The miners rejected the proposition
made by the operators. The operators
rejected the proposition made by the