The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-04
NO SETTLEMENT IS MADE.
Tripartite Coal Conference at the White House
Is Without Tangible Result.


union were the first to put in an appear
ance at the temporary White House, where
large crowd had assembled to witness
the coming of the chief participants in the
minutes in advance of the hour named for
the conference. The operators reached the
temporary White House at one minute minute
to separate rooms on the first floor, and
soon after they were ushered UP stairs, the
miners representatives being ahead.
PRESIDENTS WELCOME.
In the front room on the second story
they found the President awaiting them. 1t
is the place in which he has transacted all
business since he returned from his West
ern trip. He was in a roller chair and had
on a dressing gown. After the introduc-
tions be smilingly explained his inability to
receive his guests in a more formal man
ner.
Those present at this time were President
Roosevelt, Attorney General Knox, Secre-
tary Cortelyou, Carroll ID. Wright commits
sioner of labor; President Baer, of the
Reading; Thomas, of the Erie; Truesdale,
of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western,
and Fowler, of the Ontario & Western;
Daniel Wilcox, vice president of the Della
ware G. Hudson Railroad, representing
President Olyphant; John r. Markle, rep
resenting the independent coal operators.
and President Mitchell, of the Mine Work.
ers, with Thomas Duffy, T. ID. Nichols,
John Fahey, presidents of districts Nos z,
and 2 of the miners union, these being
the districts where anthracite coal is
mined. Later Assistant Secretaries Loeb
and Barnes, who are Stenographers, came
into the conference room.
The President entered at once on the
business In hand by reading statement
which he had carefully prepared, urging a
settlement of the strike in the interests
of the public. His manner was exceeding
ly serious and his voice showed his deep
feeling. Almost Immediately after the Pres
ident had closed Mr.. Mitchell arose and on
behalf of the miners offered to submit the
differences to arbitration. The operators
looked surprised, but before any reply
could be made President Roosevelt said he
desired that both parties take the matter
under consideration and meet him again at
3 o'clock. The first session of the confer
The operators were driven to their private
cars In the rilroad yards and Mr.. Mitchell
and his party returned to their hotel. Both
parties Immediately set to work to prepare
statements in reply to the Presidents sug-
gestions.
The operators decided to make separate
responses, but before doing so had deci-
sion as to the general tenor of the state
ments they would make. 1t is understood
President Baer communicated his state
ment TO persons in New York over the tele-
There was only one stenographer on the
special train and the time consumed in die
tating and preparing the statements caused
late for the afternoon session of the con-
ference.
All the other parties to it were on hand
at o'clock AT 3:15 p. m. the afternoon
proceedings began. President Baer. of the
Reading, opening them with a statement
setting forth the views of those he repre-
sented: He was followed by President
Mitchell, of the miners union. Then Mr..
Thomas, of the Erie, followed and was sue
ceeded by Messrs. Markle, an independent
mine operator, and Truesdale Wilcox and
Fowler nala axxyor O.
Hudson and Ontario & Western railroads,
respectively.
MARKLE's EXHIBIT.
A tinge of the dramatic was given to
the proceedings by Mr.. Markle, who, in
additicn to the prepared statement. told
the President that he wanted to present
the case in another light, and as exhibit
A. he handed the President a copy of an
illustrated paper with a cartoon showing
nonr rnion miner being abused by the
union miners and prevented from going to
work, with justice bound and powerless.
1t was laid on the table with other papers,
the President making comment.
At the conclusion Of the statements there
was considerable general. and what might
perhaps be regarded informal, conversa-
tion. The President called attention to a
part OF the statement & made by Mr. Baer.
were willing TO submit grievances to the
Courts of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania
The President asked Mr.. Mitchell if he
not as President OF the union, but as an
individual. would agree to that. Mr.
Mitchell promptly replied that he would
not.
by saying that he came to Washington
during the civil war with a gun on his
shoulder to fight for a principle. He was
contending for a principle now; it was that
a man should not be denied the right to
work because he did not have license
from labor leader The operators made
it plain that they would listen to no propo-
sition whatever emanating from Mr.
Mitchell.
1t was five minutes to o'clock when
the conference ended. The operators came
and then left in their carriages for their
train, where they met a number OF news
paper men, to whom they furnished copies
President Stipulating that they should
not be quoted, they talked quite freely of
the conference. Several of them declared
suited in retarding rather than forwarding
the settlement. They asserted that no
progress had been made and said they
would return to continue the contest. They
declared that the situation was most seri-
Gus to coal supply. but said that coal
would be furnished to the public and that
IL given protection they could get men to
mine coal to at least 20 per cent. of their
capacity. They declared there would be
no compromise and that the strike would
continue until the miners succumb. They
asserted their determination to make no
concessions further than the offers already
made.
The special train of the operators re-
mained in the yards. 1t was stated at first
that il would leave for the north at 3
o'clock Saturday morning, but later 1t was
said that Ii would probably remain here
until tomorrow afternoon.
MITCHELL'S VIEWS.
During the evening President Mitchell
OF the Mine Workers Union, dictated
formal statement concerning the proceed
ings of the conference and it's results, in
which he announced that the strike would
continue as a result of the failure of the
conference. Following is the text of Mr.
Mitchelrs statement:
"At the morning session of the confer
ence between the mine operators and the
committee representing the miners, Presi-
dent Roosevelt outlined the purpose for
which he had called the operators and
the miners together. After the President
had concluded his statement the miners
at once proposed to refer the questions
and issues of the coal strike to the Presi-
was afterwards rejected by the operators
AT the afternoon session the miners
submitted formal statement of their
proposition To this proposition each of
the operators read a reply in which they
refused 10 accept the services of the Presi-
dent. or OF tribunal TO be appointed by
him. TO determine the issues of the strike
dulged in perfect TRADE of abuse OF the
miners organization and ira aficio1o ~