Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-10-14
ilTcHELL REFUSES TO DISCUSS PRoFFER

WASHINGTON Oct. 19-By authority OF
Mr. J. p. Morgan, who with his partner.
Robert Bacon and Secretary Root, were In
conference with President Roosevelt at the
temporary White House tonight for an
hour and half a statement was given
by Secretary Cortelyou in which the presl-
dents OF the coal carrying railroads and
mine operators propose a commission OF
Ave persons to adjust the differences and
settle the coal strike.
The proposition is believed by the ad-
ministratlon to be satisfactory to the min
ers, as it covers the proposition made by
President Mitchell of the United Mine
Workers union, with additional conditions
which, 1t is believed, the miners will ac-
cept.
The conference assembled very quickly
after MIR. Morgan and his partner, Robert
Bacon, had reached Washington on a fly
ing trip from New York. Mr.. Morgan and
Mr.. Bacon arrived about 10 tonight in a
special car over the Baltimore & Ohio rail-
road and drove at once to the Arlington
hotel.
They met Secretary Root and the three
gentlemen walked over to the White House
and were shown at once to the presidents
room. They remained with the president
until ten minutes of u.
although he would say nothing as to the
conference, except that Mr. Cortelyou would
give the press a statement later, he seemed
so satisfied that those who saw him be-
lieved that good progress had been made
toward a settlement Of the great question
which has been giving the administration
SO much concern.
The three gentlemen on leaving the White
House went to the Metropolitan club. where
they remained in conversation until late
hour. while the president retired imne-
dlately secure some needed rest.
Mr.. Cortelyou said that he would pre-
pare a statement for the press and make
1t public as soon as he could complete
what was to be said concerning the ~-0-
| ference.
Secretary Root was asked the direct
question II a settlement OF the strike had
been reached, but declined to answer, say
ing 1t would be all given out in the state
ment from Mr. Cortelyou.
Mr.. Morgan likewise was appealed 10
with a direct question, but pleasantly re-
sponded that anything that was to be said
would have to come from the gentlemen
in the White House.
OmciaI Announcement Made.
Secretary Cortelyou later said:
"Mr. ]. p. Morgan came to Washington
with his partner. Mr.. Bacon, at the re-
quest of the coal companies, who desired
| that as a matter of courtesy their state
! ment should be shown to the president be-
fore it was made public. Having been
laid before the president by Mr.. Morgsn,
it is now given to the press:
To the Public: The managers of the diff
ferent coal properties comprising the an
thracite coal fields wish their position in
the present strike to be understood, and
therefore make the following statement of
facts:
There are in the anthracite regions about
seventy-nye operating companies and firms
10000 are under age). comprising some
twenty nationalities and dialects.
long 'i to the United % Mine Workers union.
| of which Mr. John Mitchell is president
IN n1 the bituminous coal w resion % and Three three
fourths of its members are miners of BIZ
luminous coal, and bituminous coal Is sold
The remaining workmen in the anthracite
fields either belong to no union whatever
union.
The present strike was declared by the
May, 1902. Since that time many work
| men not belonging TO or not willing to fol-
low 1hat orgSnnaq9no n Noo we're we o we M0rKg KIN aDo9t
work. Many more have wished to work,
but have been. prevented by a course Of
violence and intimidation towards those
working and towards their families, ac-
companied by the, destruction, OF property
and the fear of death or bodily harm TO
every man who wishes TO exercise his right
A schedule is annexed hereto showing
some OF the things done to create this reign
OF terror, and every instance stated can be
verified BY reference 20 the the officers OF
the law IN the anthracite region. This Vio-
lence has continued and steadily Increased
| Notwithstanding repeated dlsavowals by
| Mr. Mitchell, and II Is clear that he either
can not orswill not prevent It. and that
the rights OF the other workmen can not
be protected under the supremacy OF the
mine workers union.
Believe Wages Big Enough.
The coal companies believe that the
wages paid In the coal regions are fair and
conditions has been able to stand n the
capital invested Is to have any reasonable
eral OF the companies have become bank
rupt and been reorganized several times
Several have never paid dividends and the
return for the capital invested IL Is not
however, the purpose of this statement &c
The undersigned are not and never have
been unwilling to submit all questions be
fair tribunal FOR decision. They are mo- no.
willing 70 enter into arbitration with th'
Mine Workers union an organization
competitive interest. and they are mo-
willing to make any arrangement which
. and all now or hereafter wishing 10 work
whether they belong 20 the Mine Work
union oT e not ssfstv shs right and OPPoT
D sonal insult or bodily harm 10 themselvui
or their families. For these reasons thu
arbitratons heretofore proposed hav'
n II viii be remembered that at the con
= ference In Washington October We mad
= TO take up at each colliery any allege,
n grievance. and IN the event OF q faiiur'
| 10 make satisfactory adjustment, the ques
tons al issue TO be submitted to the fina