Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-04

conference ended. The operators came down
stairs and held a brief consultation and then
left in their carriages for their train, where
they met a number OF newspaper men to
whom they furnished copies Of the state
ments they had made to the president.
Presidents Are Obdurnte.
stipulating that they should not be quoted
they talked quite freely Of the conference.
Several Of them declared that interference
Of the president has resulted in retarding
rather than forwarding the settlement. They
asserted that no progress had been made
and said they would return TO continue the
contest. They declared that the situation
was most serious as to coal supply, but
said that the coal would be furnished to the
public and that II given protection they
could get men to mine coal to at least 20
per cent Of their capacity. They declared
there would be no compromise and that the
strike would continue until the miners sue
cumb. They asserted their determination to
make no concessions further than the offers
ALREADY made.
During the evening President Mitchell OF
the Mine Workers union dictated a formal
statement concerning the proceedings OF
the conference and its results, In which
he announced that the strike would con-
tinue as a result Of the failure Of the con-
ference.
OmcIaI Account of Day.
1t the temporary White House the state
ment was given out concerning today's
coal conference:
The conference opened at IL o'clock.
The operators and representatives Of the
miners we're presented to the president.
$500
his hearty thanks for their attendance and
stated that owing to his peculiar relations
to the situation, he felt that he should
make to them a very careful statement OF
his position and Of his intentions in ask
ing them to meet.
Presidents Statement.
The presidents statement follows:
1 wish to call your attention to the fact
that there are three parties affected by the
situation in the anthracite trade: The
operators, the miners and the general pub
lie. l speak for neither the operators nor
the miners, but for the general public.
The questions at issue which led to the
situation affect Immediately the parties
concerned-the operators and the miners
but the situation itself vitality affects the
public. As long as there seemed to be a
reasonable hope that these matters could
be adjusted between the parties II did mo-
seem proper for me to intervene in any
way.
1 disclsim any right or duty to interven,
in this way upon legal grounds or upon any
official relation that | bear to the situation
but the urgency and the terrible nature o.
the catastrophe impending over a large
portion OF our people In the shape of {
winter fuel famine impel me, after much
anxious thought, to believe that my duty
requires me to use whatever influence
personally can to bring to an end a situa,
ton which has become literally intolerable
wish to emphasize the character of the
situation and say that its gravity is such
Nh0N I na - afAnI aAA - NA.N-
that each one of you realize the heavy
burden of responsibility upon him. w,
are upon the threshold of winter with al
already existing coal famine, the future ter
rors OF which W. can hardly yet appreciate
The evil possibilities are so far-reaching
are not only justiie sfe IL sinking mg 'f but y re
quired to sink, for the time being, any
tenacity as to your respective claims In tn,
question at Issue between you.
In my Judgment the situation impera,
lively requires that you meet upon tn,
common plane OF the public. With all tn,
earnestness that there Is in me, l reques'
that there be an immediate resumption II
the coal mines In some way that will, with.
out a days unnecessary delay, meet tn,
crying needs of the people.
l do not invite e discussion of your re
spective claims and positions. l appeal L
your patriotism, to the spirit that sink,
personal considerations and makes indl
Vidual sacrifices for the general good.
Offers to ArbItrate.
Upon the completion Of the president!
remarks, President Mitchell made a state.
ment as follows:
"Mr. President: I am much impressed
With what you say; ! am much impressed
with the gravity Of the situation. We fee
that we are not responsible for this terri
BILE state Of affairs. We are willing Il
meet the gentlemen representing the Goa
operators to try to adjust our differences
among ourselves. II We cannot adjus
them that way, Mr.. President. we are will,
ing that you shall name a tribunal wht
shall determine the issues that have re.
suited In the strike, and II the gentlemen
representing the operators Will accept tn,
award or decision OF such a tribunal thu
miners will willingly accept It even IL !
is against their claims"
The President: Before considering wha
ought to be done, I think IT only justic,
to both Of you-both sides-and desirabl,
from my standpoint, that you should hay,
time to consider what | have stated as L
The reasons for my getting you togethe,
md l shall trespass so far on your goo,