Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-15
LOOKING TO MITCHELL
His Visit Here Interests Coal
Regions.
HOPE FOR SETTLEMENT
MAKES STATEMENT BEFORE
LEAVING WILKEsBARRE.
Anxious to Have the Strike Settled on
Account Of the
Country.
HOPE FOR SETTLEMENT
pecial From a Staff Correspondent.

Special From Staff Correspondent.
WILKESBARRE, Pa, October 15-PresI-
dent Mitchell left headquarters a O. clock
this morning for Washington, upon Presi-
dent Roosevelt's invitation, to consult with
him upon the terms of settlement proposed
by the operators.
All day yesterday the young labor leader
waited for some word from Washington,
transmitting the proposition submitted by
the operators, but no word came. 1t was
assumed that as the message to the miners
had been delivered to the President 1t would
in turn be delivered by him to Mr.. Mitchell.
Private messages to the correspondents
from Washington indicated during the day
that the White House was expecting a
reply from Mr.. Mitchell to the opera tors
proclamation. Evidently there was mis-
understanding along the line, and finally at
7:3O O clock in the evening the correspond
ents called upon Mr.. Mitchell in a body
and urged him to make some kind of a
statement of the attitude of the union The
solicitude of the country was earnestly
pointed out to him. and he was reminded
that third party" the people, had a
stake in the fight as we'll as the two partici-
pants in the struggle.
Statement by Mitchell.
For about two minutes the labor chieftain
remained SILENT putting away at his cigar.
while the correspondents stood grouped
about awaiting his response, Finally with
great deliberation and pondering each word
Mr.. Mitchell dictated this statement Il
fully appreciate with what anxiety the
people of our country are awaiting the re-
suit of the coal strike. The coal operators
have not addressed the miners Enion or its
officers in making the public statement. 1t
is, therefore, impossible for me 10 state the
attitude of the miners this time. 1 am
now, as I have always been, deeply solicit
tous for the interests of the public and well
fare of the mine workers who have been
on strike for the past five months. A for
NAL statement defining our position and in
tentions will be issued just as soon as we
are in possession of the full meaning OF the
proposition of the operators
Mr.. Mitchell added in response to ques-
tions, that he had not heard word from
President Roosevelt during Sthe day, and
said the only plans he had in contemplation
were for a conference with the district
presidents on the morrow.
1t was late at night before communica-
ton with the White House was established
and the decision was reached to go to
Washington and confer with the executive.
There was not moments hesitation on the
part of the head of the Miners Union In
meeting the tender for negotiations as soon
as it was'formally made.
Satisfaction Over Conference.
Everybody here interested in the struggle
is very much relieved that the conference Is
to take place. 1t is believed that personal
conference between President Roosevelt and
Mr. Mitchell will dissipate the doubts and
suspicious which the miners entertain as to
the operators proposition.
If Mr.. Mitchell is reassured by the Presi-
dent Of the arbitration offer and is satisfied
with the personnel of the commission he can
exercise great influence with the miners
toward their acceptance OF the terms.
1t is said here today that in point Of fact
President Mitchell can order the miners
back to work Immediately, and keep them
at work pending the award Of the commits
sion, deferring calling the convention until
that award is made.
1t will be recalled that he made the prop
osition in the recent conference with the
President and the operators that the men
should go back to work pending arbitration,
and it is insisted that he still possesses the
same power to send them back to work on
similar terms.
The conference in Washington today is
therefore regarded by all the parties In the
issue here as very important, N. o. M.