The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-10-08

dent Roosevelt, Attorney General hnoS,
Secretary Cortelyou, Carroll D. Wright,
commissioner Of labor; Presidents Baer
of the Reading, Thomas cf the Erie,
Truesdale of the Delaware, Lackawan-
ma and Western, and Fowler Of the On
tario and Western railways: Daniel
Wilcox, vice president Delaware ana
Hudson railroad, representing Presl-
deaS Olyphant; John Markle, repre-
senting tie independent coal operators,
and President Mitchell of the Miners
union. with Thomas Duffy, 7. ID.
Nichols and John Fahy of districts
Nos. Z. / and 8 Of the miners union,
being the districts where anthracite
coal is mined. Later Assistant Secre-
5sries Loeb and Barnes, who are steno-
grauhers, came into the conference
room.
me president entered at once on the
business in hand by reading the state,
ment which he had carefully prepared
urging settlement OF the strike IN the
interests of the public. His manner
was exceedingly serious and his voice
showed his deep feeling.
Almost Immediately after the presl--
dent had closed Mr.. Mitchell arose, and
on behalf of the miners offered TO
submit all the differences to arbltra-
5ien. The operators looked surprised,
but before any reply could be MADE
President Roosevelt said he desired
thaf both parties take the matter under
consideration and meet him again ats3
O'Clock. The first session OF the con-
ference had lasted less-5han 10 minutes.
The operators we're driven to their prl-
yate cars in the railroad yards. Mr.
Mitchell and his party returned TO
their hotel. Both parties immediate
" set TO work TO prepare statements IN
rslp7 to the presidents suggestions.
The operators decided to make sepa-
rate responses, but before doing SO had
q discussion of the general tenor OF
the statements they would make. Ii; Is
understood President Baer communl-
Gated his statement to parties IN New
York over the long distance telephons
before readingiit TO the president. Az
8. Is the afternoon proceedings began:
President Baer of the Reading opened
them and was followed by President
Mitchell and Messrs.- Markle, Trues-
dale, Wilcox and Fowler.
At the conclusion Of the statements
there was considerable informal con-
yersation. The presid dent called atten-
tion to part Of. the statement made
By Mr.. Baers in which the latter said
the operators were willing to submit
their grievances to the courts of con-
mon pleas in Pennsylvania. The pres
ident asked Mr. Mitchell # he, not as
president of the union, but as an
individual, would agree to that. MT.
Mitchell promptly replied that he
would not.
The operators made it plain that they
would listen to no proposition what
ever emanating from Mr.. Mitchell. 1t
was five minutes Of, 5 o'clock when the
conference ended.
Great interest was manifested IN the
conference on.the part Of the public.
On the sidewalks and street in front
of the temporary White House were
throngs of. people who anxiously await
ed the result. Newspaper men lined
either side of the entrance to the
White House from its doors to toe
street.
There was d distinct expression Of
Disappointment in the crowd when it
was known that the conference had
been unsuccessful and no agreement
had been reached