The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-17
MITCHELL AND ROOSEVELT
HOLD ANOTHER CONFERENCE
OBJECTION OF THE MINERS
Contend That President Should Not
Be Restricted in Selection Of
Commission.

Washington, Oct. 15-John Mitchell
president of the United Mine Work.
ers, arrived in Washington at 11:27
today, in response to an invitation OF
President Roosevelt 10 meet him III
conference relative TO the PROPOSAL Of
the anthracite mining operators fCr
the appointment of a commission to
investigate and settle the coal strike.
Mr.. Mitchell was not accompanied
by the district presidents, as he was
upon his former trip.
Mr.. Mitchell, upon the arrival of the
train, proceeded l~eisurely with other
passengers to the waiting He
was met there by no n except a
delegation Of reporters, whom he re-
ceiyed with a somewhat melancholy
smile. He shook hands with all Of
them, but volunteered no remarks.
He remained in the depot waiting
room about Is minutes, but absolute
ly declined to reply to any question,
the answer to which might throw
light upon his present intentions or
future movements.
Can you say anything at all bear
ing upon the situation?"
Il cannot was the reply, "and if I
should have anything to say later. I
will make my statement to all alike"
Leaving the railroad station, Mr..
Mitchell proceeded to Pennsylvania
avenue, where he took an electric car
for the white house. On the car he
was not only reserved, but apparent
ly his mind was much p~reoccupied.
He chewed an unlighted cigar and
replied to questions in monosyllables.
When he alighted from the street
a at Jackson place and saw a crowd
of about 20 or 80 newspaper men in
front Of the temporary white house
he said:
Are they always there?"
Mr.. Mitchell walked to the treasury
department, where he went into con-
ference with Commissioner Sargent.
He appeared to be more cheerful
than when he entered the white house
but still maintained his r%eticence. He
declined to say whether he had SUBJ
mitted any counter propositions to
the president or to indicate whether
or not he would make a statement.
He said, however, that he expected
to see the president again at 3 o'clock
and hoped to be able to return to
Wilkesbarre on the 4:5O train.
Obstacles Have Arisen.
Mr.. Mitchell reached the temporary
white house at 1850 a. m. He was
shown directly into the office of Sec
rotary Cortelyou. After the exchange
OF greetings Secretary Cortelyou in
vited Mr.. Mitchell to proceed with
him at once to the parlor of Presi-
dent Roosevelt on the second floor Of
the mansion. 1t was stated on au-
thority that Mr.. Mitchell received last
night an invitation by wire from Pres
ldent Roosevelt to visit him at Wash
ington at his earliest convenience.
Prior to the arrival of Mr.. Mitchell,
the president was engaged busily in
conferences with his advisers.
Secretary Root was an early caller
and was in conference with the pres
ident for about an hour. AS he left
the white house, Mr.. Root, while TAX
ing generally an optimistic view of
the situation, said that some obstacles
had arisen in the way of settlement
OF the strike. These he believed
would be overcome. Just how they
were to be overcome he did not in
dictate, and he did not say what the
nature of the obstacles was.
Subsequently Colonel Wright, com
missioner of labor, and Frank Sar-
gent vent into conference with the
president. Colonel Wright had not
left the white house when Mr.. Mitchell
arrived.
President Roosevelt and Mr.. Mitch
ell were in conference until 10: 55. The
latter left the presidents office and
descended the stairs unaccompanied.
AS he passed out of the white house,
he announced that he had no state
ment to make. He did not indicate
by word or sign what had passed be-
tween him and the president. Upon
leaving the mansion, he said he was
going to the Office of Frank P. Sar-
gent, in the treasury department.
After MI. Mitchell left, Chairman
Babcock of the republican congress
sional campaign committee, called at
he white house and saw the presi-
lent. Secretary Root arrived at the
white house shortly before 2 O'clock I