The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-10
SETTLEMENT
 NOT IN SIGHT Public Men Confer on the
 Coal Strike. TALKED WITH OPERATORS Mitchell Maintains Silence
 After Conference. President of Tennessee Company Called on Miners Chief and Dis cussed Situation-Roosevelt
 Receives Reply.
TALKED WITH OPERATORS

New York, Oct 9.--Numerous confer- esces looking to the settlement of the an- thracite coal miners strike were held in this city today, but tonight at 10 o'clock there was no evidence given to the pub lie that any results had been reached.
 Rumors of settlement flew thick and fast. but when any one of the conferees was approached, his almost invariable answer to questions concerning the con- sultants was, "I have nothing to say" The conferences are still going on to- night. but the impression prevails that if any basis of settlement Is reached, it will not be announced until tom orrow, following a meeting to be held at Senator Platts downtown office at 10 o'clock.
 The story of the day really centers about the meeting held in the afternoon at Senator Platt's office. Present at this meeting were Governor Odal, Senators Quay and Penrose of Pennsylvania, Pres ident Oliphant of the Delaware end tIud- son, Senator Plett, President Fowler of the Ontario and Western, President Trues- dale of the Lackawapna, Chairman Thomas of the Erie John Markle, repre- senting the independent opei ators, Davis Wilcox, President and General Man ager of the Delaware and Hudson, Da- vid Lamar and Edward Lauterbach.
 At the conclusion of the meeting, none present would say what had taken place or whether any solution to the strike trouble had been reached.
 This conference followed one held in the forenoon in Senator Platt's office, at which were prese 1t Senators Quay and Penrose, Governor Odell, Edward Lau- terbach and Senator Platt. The conferees were very retiCent as to tho subjects un- der discussion there Governor Odell af- terward had luncheon at the Lawyers Club with Senators Quay and Penrose.
 Penrose Sees Platt.
 Following luncheon, Senator Penrose and his secretary returned to Senator Platt's office. They entered by means oi the cellar and the Church Street entrance thro s6ing their way through a mass oi boxes and barrels At o'clock they were Joined by the operators of the coal mines and the most important conference of tn; day was held. Mir. Lauterbach went back and forth from the office and made a trir to J. P. Morgan's cffice. He did not see Mir. Morgan. He then went back to. the conference room.
 Mir. Lauterbach replied to questions by saying that appearances looked very hopeful for speedy settlement of the strike. He said he had seen President John Mitchell Wednesday night and that he seemed disposed to act with a spirit of fairness. The conference ended at 4:3C o'clock. President Fowler was the first to leave, the other operators following him. The coal road presidents referred all inquiries to the Senator and Gov ernor Odcll,
 I've nothing to say; there Is nothing to be said,' was Governor Odells an- swer to a question: Senator Quay like wise had nothing to say.
 Senator Platt was the last to leave his office.
 q don't think can say anything" he said. T am too tired. There will be further meetings tomorrow. That is all I can say at present.
 Vice-President Wilcox of the Delaware and Hudson. like others, refused to talk. Although President Mitchell apparently had no part in the conference between the Senator's and the operators his actions were anxiously awaited. Early in the Aav he was joined at the Ashland House bv ex-State Senator Moses w. Solomon of Chicago. The Chicagoan has so far re- fused to disclose his mission, saying he was merely a messenger. During the morning MT. Mitchell had long confer ence with his three district presidents. Afterward District President Nichols had this to say:
 A Convention Necessary.
 "ITnless the demands of the strikers are granted in full. 1 do not see how Presi- dent Mitchell can settle the strike with out calling a conviction. If only part of the demands are granted that would render it necessary to call a convention and thatwould take two weeks at least. '
 Late in the afternoon President Mitchell and the district presidents had another conference at the Ashland House. MT. Niahnlls said that his associates had not considered any formal or informal nroposition from the operators. He said tbe strike might possibly be settled by Monday. but intimated that 1t was i'm probable
 oscar s. Straus. member or the Con citation Committee of the Nation Civic tcderation called on President Mitchell iate in the afternoon. On leaving MT. Straus said
 "President Mitchell wanted to see me, b,t the object of my visit l cannot make
 The Alabama Situation.
 coneral B. F. Tracy and D. H. Bacon, rrosident of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company, called on President Mitchell in the evening.
 ,.yvc came to see MT Mitchell" said c,oreral Tracey "on the bituminous situa- tion in Alabama. We spoke of the strike of tbn employees of the Tennessee Coal Co,,nanv. MT Mitchell received us well ard heard our statements of the facts. w. made favorable impression. l think ond have hopes that the result of our in- .ar,.iew will be favorable to us"