New-York tribune., 1902-10-03
THINK TIE END IS IN SIGHT.
STRIKE LEADERS. HOWEVER. DO NOT
EXPECT SETTLEMENT AS DIRECT
RESULT OF CONFERENCE.
IRE rElEaRArH 10 THE rRIRuNE.l


Wilkesbarre Penn. oct. . President Mitchell
and District Presidents Nichols. Fahey and
Duffy left here this afternoon for Washington
bearing with them the hopes Of all the strikers
and all the business people in the coal region
for a settlement of the strike. They were con-
hdent and, though not saying much feel that
the crucial period has come and that now the
end is IN sight. They believe that the operators
viii grant such concessions as the union VIII
feel warranted IN accepting. and thus end the
strike. As 10 what they may propose as the
minimum demand OF the strikers they viii not
say, nor do they expect a settlement TO come
directly a result Of the conference They
merely look on it means of paving the way
for negotiations which VIII result in an alufcable
agreement. The pTomptness with which Mr.
baer accepted the invitation pleased Mr. Nit
chell nightly and he now believes II is under
stood, that Mr Baer viii be willing TO enter
INTO fun discussion Of all the phases Of the
strike and endeavor TO md way by which il
can be ended.
There are those among the strikers who be-
heVe that the only bearing il viii have on
settling the strike viii be- 10 increase the pub
lc sentiment in favor Of the miners and the
olsaprroval Of the operators course. President
Nichols said. THE action Of President Roose-
Nelt VIII At least open up the question again
and may lead a settlement We are not unduly
hopeful of this conference, but We know our
strength, and win surely Win sooner or later
me conference cannot end the strike al once
unless the operators grant all our demands and
that Is not likely"
President Mitchell would say nothing further
tnah That he did not know what President
Roosevelt proposed doing and could not discuss
iNe conference. He says that he Wil leave
Washington as soon as possible after the con
Ference, and reach here probably on Saturday
morning While the original invitation from
Ir'sldent Roosevelt included only President
6tt'heA he obtained additional invitations 10
'.'IUoe the three district presidents. on whose
l l'~"noe ne has insisted at all the conferences
D. has had since the strike began
Among the operators here there is the lelief
that tho conference VIII result in nothing more
Than general discussion and realization by
ihr strikers that the operators are determined
il the stand they have taken. II win he the
leaders and the operators have met and the
conditions The operators here are however.
granted and that the stand OF the companies
Viii not be changed.
The executive committee OF the Peoples Al
lance to-day began active work on its plan
~ ending the strike. Representatives went 10
the various coal companies Offices IN the thr-e
large counties Of the anthracite reEiOn-Lacka-
wanna, Luzerne and Schuylkill-and declared
that they wanted TO buy coal They were re-
fused on the ground that there was no coal 10
sell, and this Will he the basis OF the suits
which are 20 he started I'm Scranton. Pottsville
and this city IN 4 few DAYS. The alliance SAYS
that the refusal Of the companies 20 sell coal
Is tantamount 10 a violation Of their charters,
and that the proper legal proceedings VIII
suit in their being forfeited. y. J. Mccarthy.
NJ HaZleton, is the lawyer for the alliance