The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-10
END is NOT YET.
New York Conference AdjOurns
Without Settling Strike.
A Meeting at Senator Platt'S
Office Today.
OVER TILL NEXT WEEK
Nature of Proposal to Operators
aSecret.
Certain, However, That Coal
Men Rejected 1t.
THE WILCOX LETTER.
Operators Make an EXtraOrdi-
nary Display of Nerve.
Want Miners Arrested for En-
tering Unlawful Combinations.

EerlNS GUldH lul OOIHUAld1AOHos
New York. Oct. 1O.-Continuing their
efforts to bring about a solution of the
anthracite coal strike, Senators Quay
and Penrose Of Pennsylvania and Sen
ator Platt and Governor Odell of New
York again met today for another con-
ference The meeting place was Sen
ator PIatts office in the down town busi-
ness district.
The conference began shortly after 10
O'Clock, but none of the coal operators,
nor any one representing their interests
appeared. The absence of any represen-
tative of the operators side of the dis
pute was regarded as indicative that
this mornings conference between the
politicians would be devoted to an effort
to discover some means Of forcing the
strike to end. AS was pointed out In
the Associated Press account OF last
evenings joint session. it broke up in
a deadlock and considerable display OF
feeling on both sides. 1t is known that
during the two long conferences held
yesterday, which were participated in
by Messrs. Platt, Quay, PenrOse and
Odell on one side, and number of the
leading coal road presidents on TIE
other, that the last named party firmly
declined to recognize the assertion that
politics could in any way enter into a
DOSSlDiE SlIlke SellltHltul
The operators assured the political
representatives that they regarded the
dispute as embodying questions solely
and entirely between themselves and
their employees. and in the business
management Of their properties. These
statements were elected. by the asser-
ton from the other side that a contin-
uanSe of the strike for two weeks would
impiArn the success of the Republican
party in the two great states of Penn
sylvania and New York. They said that
with the advent of cool weather accom-
panied by a coal famine the strike
would assume an Importance that would
ovorshadow the polls. The operators.
however, were not moved by this pre-
sentation, and reiterated that politics
could not enter into their business.
Following this statement of their po-
sitiOn by the coal men, the politicians
intimated very broadly that a prolonga-
ton of the struggle would pave the way
to legislation hurtful to coal corporation
interests. In fact, according to one of
the coal operators present, this latter
statement was made in terms so broad
that they regarded it as a threat Their
reply was a restatement of their un-
alterable determination to stand their
ground as at first outlined to the con-
ference trusting to the integrity of the
judicial system to protect them from
adverse legislation.
Senator Platt was quoted as saying
before the conference began that they
expected to meet the operators again to-
day. Another phase was injected into
the situation later in the day by the
making public of David WilcoXs letter
to the president, demanding that the
federal government proceed against the
miners organization as a conspiracy to
prevent interstate commerce. Mr.. Will
cox is said to represent all the cOaA
operators and the publication of his let
ter is regarded as somewhat in the ma
ture of statement of the operators
position.
union. with the district presidents, spent
the early part of the day at his hotel
and declined to answer any questions
except to say that he expected to re
turn home today.
It was reported that just before he
left the Fifth Avenue hotel this morn
ing, J. p. Morgan had a brief private
conference with Senators Quay and
Penrose. This could not be confirmed,
however.
President Baer of the Reading rail-
road, came over from Philadelphia dur
Ing the afternoon and shortly after his
arrival here went to J. P. Morgan's of
fee Later Chairman Thomas of the
Erie railroad also called and the three
remained in close consultation for some
time. Al 1880 Mr.. Baer and Mr.
Thomas left the Morgan offices and
went around to Senator Platt's office
where Senator Plat and his conferees
were in session. They We're quickly
ushered into the room where the con-
ference was DelnS neld-
The conference in Senator Platt's Of
ice came to an end Just after l o. m.
Governor Odell was the first to come out
and in reply to questions said:
There is not word to be said
Senator Platt said later: Everything
has been put over until Tuesday,
Senators Quay and Penrose left the
building by another entrance each car
sying a handbag and the only thing
shey would say was that they were go
ing to Philadelphia. 1t is the general
understanding that the conference was
unproductive of any definite results.
Chairman Thomas of the Erie board
when seen after the meeting handed ia
the Associate ted Press the following state
ment:
1T was imDracticable to reach any
conclusion of the strike situation on the
basis suggested this morning"
MR. WILCOX'S LETTER.
David Wilcox. vice president and coun-
sci for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad
company, and one of those present at
the recent conference called by Presi-
dent Roosevelt at Washington, has sent
to President Roosevelt a letter demand
ing that the federal government pro-
ceed against the miners organization in
the courts on the ground that it is a
conspiracy to prevent interstate COM
merce.
Mr.. Wilcox. it is said on authority
represents all the coal operators in this
action, and was selected as their spokes-
man.
The letter was made public in this
city today, together with letter writ
ten several months ago to the president