The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-17

Erie. President Truesdale, Of the Del
aware, Lackawanna & Western, when
he arrived, said:
IA conference is to be held and 1t
will be an important one. 1t may be
productive of immediate results.
New York, Oct. IAN unannounced
and unexpected conference of repre-
%sentatives of the coal carrying roads
led to the renewed rumors of an i'm
pending settlement of the coal strike.
This conference was held in the office
of Mr.. Thomas, chairman of the Erie
board, and lasted mi hour. Taken
in connection with other conferences
in Washington and Philadelphia and
in this city, over Sunday, it was be-
lieved that some definite results would
come from the meeting. At its con-
clusion, however, while no formal
statement was given out, it was init,
mated that nothing of Importance had
been accomplished.
Those who participated in the con-
ference were e. B. Thomas, chairman
of the board of trustees of the Erie;
President Oliphant and Vice-President
Wilcox of the Delaware & Hudson;
President Fowler Of the Ontario &
Western; and President Truesdale Of
the Delaware, Lackawanna & West
ern.
Added significance was attached to
Mr.. Truesdale's words, in view OF the
fact that until today he has stead
tasty adhered to the statement that
no steps in the direction of a settle
ment had been taken. During the
conferences last week he reiterated
this statement with emphasis, and as
late as Saturday afternoon he refused
to admit that any progress had been
made.
The other operators who were pres
ent at today's meeting in Mr.. Thomas
Office declined to talk when seen as
they entered the building. j. P. Nor.
gan left his yacht Corsair, on which
he had beer since Saturday last, early
today.
The conference in Mr.. Thomas OF
( flee lasted about an hour. When the
participants dispersed they declined
to make any statement as to Wha1
had transpired. In addition to those
already mentioned, President Walter,
of the Lehigh Valley, was present, and
the independent operator, John Mar
kle, also joined the conference, re
naming about five minutes. 1t was
intimatedS that later in the day q state
ment might be issued, but no intima
ton of it's nature vas obtained.
Mr.. Morgan declined to talk about
his meeting with Secretary Root las
Saturday. He would not discuss the
strike in any way, except to say tina
he had not heard of any change II
the general situation.
John Markle, the Independent oper
ators, who was one of Mr.. Morgons
callers. said the strike condition was
little more encouraging. There is
good authority for the statement tina
Secretary Root did not bring an ultl
matum from President Roosevelt, al
reported, but rather that the secre
tary was directed by the president t
ask Mr.. Morgan to devise some mean
to settle the strike. Mr.. Morgan,
is said, took the presidents reques
under ~advisement and later reporte'
to Secretary Root his inability to q
anything in the matter.
It is known that on Friday last on
Of the leading operators wrote to tn
president demanding that the miner
be furnished better protection. Their
came a prompt reply, stating that IN
entire Pennsylvania militia had bee
called out and that the situation wa
well in hand. Apparently the opera
tors are not Of that opinion, as 1t ]
known that another letter has bee
forwarded to Governor Stone, urgln
that he issue a call for federal troops
Baer Grows Mysterious.
New York, Oct. 13.-It was learne
early today that President Baer, {
the Philadelphia & Reading compan.
was called to New York on Sunda'
rd +h,t 10 cnnpt tho daV in clos