The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-12
Roosevelt Seeking Every Meth Od by Which There May be Federal Action Looking To- ward a SettIement-LaWyers in Cabinet Are Kept Busy.
SEVERAL CONFERENCES
 HELD AT WHITE HOUSE
So Far as Can Be Ascertained Nc Definite Form of Procedure Has
 Been Decided Upon, Though Several Are Suggested.

Washington, October u.-Prea-lent Roosevelt is seeking every method by which there may be federal action in set ting the coal strike. His cabinet ad- yisors have been requested to look care fully into the laws, which may have a bearing upon the subject and see if there is any statute under which he can proceed. So far nothing has been found
 There is one ray of hope, but it is re- ported faint in view of the attitude of the coal operators. This is that some mutual ground of arbitration may be found. The miners are willing to consent to arbitration of all questions. The oper- ators admitted the principle of arbitration to a limited extent in offering to submit individual cases of disputes between em- ployers and employed to the courts of common pleas in the districts where the disputes occur. What the President and his advisers are trying to ascertain is whether a middle ground of arbitration may not be agreed upon. This plan, even though it does not now give much hope of success, is the only one in sight at present. Those who have discussed the matter with the President think that as the situation grows more acute, both parties in the interest of the public well fare may be induced to accept it or some thing of similar nature.
 Very Much in Earnest
 That the President is very much in earnest is shown from the conferences on the subject that continue at the white house. Secretary Wilson of the agricult- ural department Carroll D. Wright, com missioner of labor, and Frank D. Sar- gent, commissioner of immigration, were among those who saw the President to- day. and it is understood all of them dis cussed the coal strike situation with him. No official statement could be obtained at the white house as to the progress of the administrators work, although it was admitted that there was a great going-on. wich 1t would be inexpedient to make public at the present time. No intimation was given as to whether the remark re- ferred to the conference at the white house or at New York
 The conference continued during the greater part of the afternoon, the same gentlemen participating with the addi- lion of Assistant Attorney General White, who was present for a brief time
 So far as could be ascertained. no definite scheme of procedure was deter mined upon Nothing thus far has been accomplished in the effort made to find an application of law to the so-called coal operators combination.
 Quay Advises Silence.
 Philadelphia, October 11.-Senators Quay and Penrose were reticent today con- corning their efforts to settle the anthra- cite miners strike. When shown the statement of Chairman Thomas of the Erie railroad that there would be no fur ther conference between the operators and Senators Platt, Quay and Penrose next Tuesday, MT. Quay said:
 There never was any intention of hold ing such a conference.'
 When pressed for statement, Senator Quay said:
 q am anxious to see the strike settled. The situation Is not one that will be im- proved by talking"
 1t was stated on excellent authority that Governor Stone will not call an ex- tra session of the legislature to take ac. ton on the strike.
 Root Is Reticent.
 Washington, October 11.-Secretary Root arrived here at 11:15 tonight from New York and went at once to his home. He refused to make any statement what ever concerning the conference with Mir. Morgan. There were no callers at the White House tonight. and it was stated that no report of any kind had been re- ceived from Secretary Root regarding the outcome of his talk with MT Morgan. Secretary Root will probably confer with the President tomorrow, though 1t was stated by Secretary Cortelyou that no conference of any kind had been ar- ranged.
 Cincinnati Receives Coal.
 Cincinnati, October 1.-The first of the fleet of the coal barges from the Pomerov and Kanawha districts arrived tonight These fleets have relieved points from Pomeroy to this city and will continue moving southward About seventy barges of coal are now being lowed down the Ohio river. The Marmet fleet that start ed Thursday morning, from Point Pleas mi. w. Va, with over a million bushels of Kanawha coal was stranded last night at Buena Vista, O., on sand bar. Ad- vices tonight from the wreck are that six barges out of fifteen were lost, causing s loss of s2S.0O0 on barges and cargoes and blockading the narrow channel at Buena Vista.