Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06
TO SOUND MITCHELL
Commissioner Sargent to
Meet Labor Leader.
MORGAN MIGHT ACT
INDUSTRIES ARE AFFECTED BIZ
SCARCITY OF COAL.
Objection to Allowing the President to
Gain Prestige From a Settlement
of the Trouble.

mer cnlel OF the Brothernood OF Locomo-
tive Firemen, left Washington AT o'clock
this afternoon almost Immediately after q
conference at the White House with Presi-
dent Roosevelt, leads to the belief, practf-
cally certain, that Mr. Sargent is going to
meet President Mitchell of the Miners
Union, to discuss with him the latest
phases of the strike situation.
1t is probable Mr.. Sargent will meet Mr..
Mitchell in Philadelphia tonight tomor-
row. and lay before the chief of the strik.
ers the Presidents hopes that the strike
leader may see his way clear to end the
strike at this time. Mr.. Sargent refused to
discuss his visit to the President when he
left the White House at 1:30 o'clock this
afternoon, and little would have been
known Of his departure had he not been
seen to take a train for the north this af-
ternoon.
AS one of the most influential labor lead
ers in the United States 1t is fitting that
Mr.. Sargent put before Mr.. Mitchell what
ever facts he may be authorized to say,
and he is likewise an excellent man to
obtain from Mr.. Mitchell whatever views
that official has as to accepting sugges-
tions for ending the strike. 1t Is believed
Mr.. Sargent will return to Washington to-
morrow and report the result of his visit
To Sound Mitchell
The chances are decidedly strong that
Mr.. Sargent will do little except to suggest
that Mr. Mitchell call the strike of and de-
pend upon a healthy public sentiment and
possible action by Congress at Its next ses-
sion to finally make amends for the loss
the strikers may incur in doing this.
1t Is said today on good authority that
there is little likelihood that Mr.. Mitchell
will be asked to call the strike off on any
promise that Congress will be asked to In
vestigate the strike ara act for the best
interests of all concerned. Such thing as
that would be too entirely vague for any,
body, and Mr.. Mitchell would probably not
pay any attention to 1t.
1t is thought to be most likely that Mr..
Sargent will endeavor to ascertain just how
far Mitchell would entertain request OF
the President for calling the strike off be-
cause of the suffering that is certain to oo-
dent could safely and wisely do and should
nothing come Of 1t he would simply be at
the end of plans for settlement unless
some pressure could be automatically
brought to bear on Governor Stone to take
action in the Pennsylvania courts or
through the legislature.
The great faith the miners have in the
President may induce President Mitchell
to make some offer for the settlement OF
the trouble that may lead to further hope
Of a settlement.
1t is not understood that President Roose-
velt Is sending any request to President
MITCHELL. ne Is HtItly SiiuSdNol ii6 " iiiieA
what would be the outcome If he should
make certain suggestions as to calling
the strike off.
Morgan Might Intervene.
Many of those who are in close relations
with administration circles are looking for
ward to seeing the coal strike ended by the
last man the public would naturally turn
to for such an act. The intermediator whose
voice may be heard at any time Is J.
Pierpont Morgan. His action will not ba
because of any love he has for President
Roosevelt or because he wants to see the
operators give way In the slightest degree
to the demands of the miners. but because
he is being pinched in his other industries
by the shortage of coal. 1t is not because
he is moved by any picture Of cold fire.
sides, but his system is shocked by the
thought Of cold blast furnaces and inter-
ference with money-making concerns
which contribute to his success an
the leader in the industrial world. Con-
tracts are on hand in many Of these con-
Germs sufficient to occupy them for two
years to come. The prices at which these
contracts are to be executed are stipulated.
Every additional dollar added to the cost
of coal to carry out the contracts Is g.
dollar deducted from the column Of profits.
To great concerns using thousands of tons
of coal daily this is a very important item
of expense 1t touches the pocket Of tho
Industrial leaders and the pocket may be-
more sensitive than the heart.
If Mr. Morgan determines to end the coal
strike 1t is believed he Will come forward
on the ground of relieving the public OF q
great calamity. There never has been any
likelihood that he would give the President
prestige before the country by-allowtng the
strike to be ended in any way he might sug-
gest. The meeting of Mr.. Morgan with tho
President at the White House when the
General was about to institute q
suit against the Northern Securities Com
,,oI, 1nfip In a.
tween Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Morgan for
the future.
''Mr President, do you not think It is un-
wise to institute this suit and to affect the
stock market such action Is sure to af-
feet it?" asked Mr.. Morgan.
''Mr Morgan, responded the President,
in that deliberate and forceful manner for
which he is so we'll known, 81 am neither
a bull nor a bear on the stock market. But
want it understood that 1 will as readily
Institute a suit against the most influential
men in the financial world as I would
against the most influential labor leaders
IL they were violating law. l say this with
out ill-will against any one In the financial
world or in labor circles. will execute the
law as 1t applies to any leader In financial
circles as readily as 1 Y ould execute it
against any striker who might violate law"
No Prestige for President.
After that interview Mr.. Morgan was
known to be heartily opposed to the renomi-
nation of Theodore Roosevelt, and when the
railroad presidents came to this city IN re-
sponse to the Presidents invitation FOR q
conference on the coal question 1t was well
understood they would do nothing that
would place Mr.. Roosevelt In the position
of the one who had ended the strike. Moth.
ing will be done by the coal railroads over
which Mr.. Morgan dominates tending to
add to the prestige of Mr.. Roosevelt II they
can prevent it.
A Suggestion to Mitchell
The suggestion has been made TO Mr.
John Mitchell by member OF the admin.
speaking for the President that II
he would use his influence to have the
strike declared on the President would in
turn recommend that Congress investigate
the coal situation and legislate for the add.
ed protection Of strikers.
But Mr.. Mitchell has shown no inclina-
lion to accept that offer. There have been
! myriad of investigations by Congress and
~ state legislatures into the coal situationo