Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-05
v.l. 1864

tended yesterdays conference left Washing
ton at 1880 today over the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad for their headquarters at
Wilkesbarre. Before boarding the train Mr..
Mitchell said that probably soon after his
arrival In Wilkesbarre he would issue d.
r~ections to the miners as to how to proceed.
but that he could not say positively what
be would do. Asked what directions, II any.
he would issue. he replied that any direc-
lions Issued would only be for the con-
tinuance OF the strike.
"Do you feel" he was asked, that pub
lie sentiment will sustain you in ~continu-
ing the striker"
1T certainly must do so, after the result
of yesterdays conference" he replied. I'VE
are confident that we have the sympathy of
every workingman in the country and we
believe that we will have the financial sup
port Of most Of them"
rs the outside contribution sufficient 10
relieve present distress? ."
81 cant state the exact amount. but so
far we have been able to relieve all cases
Of absolute want. and we expect the con-
tributions to increase in volume. We feel
quite confident Of being able to continue
the strike through the winter. but we shall
regret very much to have to do so. not
only on cur own account, but on account
OF the public. Indeed, II only the interests
Of the miners and the operators were con
cerned the strike would be Of COMPARE
lively little general Importance"
Mitchell Denies Charges.
Mr.. Mitchell referred to the charge of
lawlessness made by the coal operators in
the conference yesterday, saying:
Several Of them made the statement that
there had been twenty murders by the
strikers since the beginning of the strike,
We challenged the statement on the spot
and | volunteered to tender my resignation
then and there IL 1t could be proven that
there had been twenty deaths all told from
The proposition was not accepted. The
truth is that there have been just seven
the mine operators. The trouble Is that
s aeeept mS wit hevfr ss9 9 ~ sne the mene EeS sna Ines
lions made to them.
The Mitchell party expects to reach
Wilkesbarre at $3.50 o'clock this afternoon.
1t is believed here that a resort to pro-
ceedings against the coal-carrying roads on
the charge OF imposing unlawful carrying
rates. while possible. is improbable. on ac-
count OF its impracticability TO accomplish
speedy results in the present emergency.
In case proceedings should be instituted,
either at the initiative Of the administratio
or at the Instance Of the miners, the roads
could p~rotract the litigation for two or three
years in carrying the case finally to the
United States supreme court.
Mitchell Won't Discuss 1t.
WILKESBARRE, Pa, Oct. 4.-President
John Mitchell of the Miners union, ac-
oompanied by District President T. D.
Nichols of Scranton. arrived at strike
headquarters from Washington tonight.
There was a large number of persons al
headquarters waiting to see the miners
chief.
President Mitchell had nothing to say
regarding the situation beyond what he
said In his formal statement to the presi-
dent and in his interviews at Washington
He reiterated. however. that the strike will
go on Just as It has heretofore and that he
felt just as confident OF carrying II to g
satisfactory conclusion as he did previous
TO attending the meeting OF the presidents
He does not at this time contemplate any
new move and II any Is TO be taken hi
will frst consult with the district presi-
dents.
President Mitchell was shown the As.
sociated Press dispatch from Washington
to the effect that It has been suggested
that the miners return to work and lei
congress and the Pennsylvania legislator,