Waterbury Democrat., 1902-10-14

reasonable return. The profits have been small. Several of the companies have become bankrupt and been reor- ganized several times, several have never paid dividends, and the diyi- dends of the others have been a small return for the capital invested.
 Ut is not, however, the purpose of this statement to discuss this question. The undersigned are not and never have been unwilling to submit all ques- tions between them and their workmen to any fair tribunal for decision. They are not willing to enter into arbitration with the mine workers union, an or ganization chiefly composed of men in a rival and competitive interest, and they are not willing to make any ar engagement which will Tot secure to men noT working and all now or here after wishing to work, whether they belong to the mine workers union or not, the right and opportunity to work in safety and without personal insult or bodily harm to themselves or their families. For these reasons the arbi- trations heretofore proposed have been declined"
 The statement was submitted to the president by J. Pierpont Morgan in the course of a conference held at the teIn- porary White House. MT. Morgan, ac- companied by Robert Bacon, one of his business partners, arrived here last night about 10 o'clock and proceeded directly to the Arlington hotel, where they were met by Secretary Root, who evidently was expecting them. These gentlemen soon after walked over to the White House and were immediate ly admitted to the presidents room, where they were almost immediately joined by the president.
 No one was present at the conference that followed except the gentlemen named and Secretary Cortelyou.
 The conference broke up at 11:50. Secretary Root and Messrs. Morgan and Bacon on it's adjournment at once left the White House and went to the Metropolitan club, few blocks away. None of them would say anything ex- cept to refer all inquiries to MT. Cor telyou, by whom they said statement would be given out later.
 NEW YORK, Oct. 14-Ye Yesterday was busy day for the operators Be fore noon all except President Baer were in conference at the office of the Erie road. Their talk lasted over an hour, but no statement was made for publication.
 Following this conference Chairman Thomas of the Erie road and President Truesdale of the Lackawanna were closeted with J. P. Morgan at the lat ter's office. Mr. Morgan would not talk about the situation nor would he say anything regarding Secretary Roots visit to him last Saturday.
 The last mentioned conference lasted until o'clock, and an hour later Mr. Morgan and others took train for Washington, going over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
 Out of this fitting of men of potent influence in the railway and coal in dustIies there grew more hopeful sentiment in the news centers of New York, and the prediction was conf dently made in circles usually we'll in formed that the end of the long strike was at hand
 Governor Odell made this significant remark at the Fifth Avenue hotel last night:
 T believe that the coal strike is. near CT to a definite settlement than it has been since it started.1
 Besides this statement the governor would make no explanation of the req sons for his belief further than to say, Tn my opinion this week will see an end Qf it