New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-10
THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO.
APPEAL TO PRESIDENT.
f. L. Robbins Tells Hoo Coal
Meeting Vas arranged.

Pittsburg. March 0.--When the coal opera tors
of the Pittsburg district go to the genersf seon,,
ference at Indianapolis on March 10 with the
operators of Ohio Indiana and Illinois they will
take a stand as body. This action was deter
mined at the meeting called by Francis L.
Robbins, which held in this city to-day.
There were about fifty operators present and
after the meeting it announced that the
wage schedule had not been discussed and the
only action taken was the adoption of resolu-
tion to meet the operators from Indiana, Illinois
and Ohio at the Hotel Caypool Indianapolis,
at the time set.
Tonight, however. it learned that there
somewhat of sensation sprung in the
meeting. From a that is regarded as
trustworthy 1t is learned that d demand was
made of Mr. Robbins, who was presiding, that
an explanation be made of how President Roose-
Welt came TO enlist in the pending controversy
between the miners and the operators
The demand, ii is said, made by George
B. Magoon, vice president and general manager
of the Pittsburg & West Moreand Coal Com
pany. one of the largest of the independent coal
companies.
Mr.. Robbins said the whole matter was ac
complished as a result of a conference with
John Mitchell, while they in New-York
The situation serious and both agreed that
II was necessary TO get another meeting of the
interstate conference.
Mr. Robbins said that Mr.. Mitchell went to the
long distance telephone and called up President
Roosevelt After explaining the status of the
matter to him. he suggested that he write
letter TO Mr. Robbins urging that new con-
ference be called. He also asked the President
to talk the matter over with Mr.. Robbins and
without changing the call Mr. Robbins went
the line and arranged for the letter TO be writ
ten. which would be the basis Of the second call
of the general conference.
This was February "a. and the following
day Mr.. Robbins received the letter from Presi-
dent Roosevelt. and the call of another conven-
ton followed. This. Mr. Robbins explained. was
the story of the Presidents intervention One
OF the strongest points made at to1day's confer
ence, II said tonight, was against any set
tlement for more than a single year. The longer
term held 10 be against the interest of the
producers, who have to bear the variations of
the coal market and the lowering costs with
fixed cost of mining. Miners who have been
heard of late have been taking II for granted
that the two year scale one of the operators
seeking. but nov are becoming acquainted with
the facts in the
II was said by coal men to-day that the par
tiai settlement of the dispute at indianapolis
the signing of the wage agreement by the Pitts
burg Coal Company, with the rest OF the oper-
ators holding back. could mean but one thing,
and that was the dissolution of the interstate
agreement. and with ii general decline of the
power of the United Mine Workers, which would
then have many districts and states to settle
with separately, and would be kept in a con-
tinual state Of trouble because Of the dragging
along OF the conferences.
II was regarded s certain by some of those
most interested that any and all operators who
sign the agreement will be allowed TO WORK
their mines whether the others sign or not, and
this II is believed, will determine the struggle
within the next few months.