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| President Theodore Roosevelt. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, October 1, 1902.
CONFERENCE ON COAL.
President and Other Government Officials Moving.
NOT SUBJECT TO FEDERAL LAW.
General Opinion of President's Advisors Was That Situation Did Not Present a Case In Which the Government Could Interfere—Question of Appointing Receivers Discussed.
Washington, Oct. 1.—The president yesterday took initiative steps to ascertain what, if anything, could be done by federal authority to settle the coal strike.
The result was a rather general expression of opinion by the advisers of the president who were parties to the conference that the federal laws and constitution did not afford means of federal interference to end the strike but another conference will be held today and the president will do all he can properly and legally to bring about a settlement.
Three cabinet officers, Attorney General Knox, Secretary Moody, Postmaster General Payne and Governor Crane of Massachusetts were present. These gentlemen conferred with President Roosevelt first and after the subject had been considered for some time they adjourned to another room and conferred together for an hour. They all returned later in the day and held another conference with the president and the strike situation was discussed further. President Roosevelt is deeply concerned over the situation.
The general opinion of the advisers of the president was that the situation did not present a case in which there could be federal interference by any warrant of law. There has been no interference with federal authority in the mining region, either by stoppage of the mails or resistance of the United States court process.
It was pointed out that there was no occasion for the use of federal troops as Governor Stone of Pennsylvania had not called on the government for assistance, nor had he even exhausted the resources of the state by calling out the full strength of the state militia.
The question of the right to seek appointment of receivers for the mines in order that they might be operated was discussed but neither in the constitution nor in any known law could any legal warrant be found for such action, though the discussion of such lines even went so far as the consideration of how the properties could be relinquished and control surrendered after the object of supplying coal had been accomplished, assuming the federal government could intervene through receivers.
During the day advices were received that the strike might be settled by the operators and the miners themselves and it was suggested that hasty interference of any kind by the federal government might prevent the consummation of the plans for a strike settlement if any such were maturing. While recognizing the futility of efforts to end the strike that could accomplish nothing, it was stated that the president was anxious the end of the strike should be brought about at the earliest possible moment, and that if the attorney general or any other member of the cabinet could devise a method by which the president could proceed he would not hesitate to adopt it unless meanwhile assurances of a settlement were received.
The conference will be resumed today, at which time Secretary Root will be present. It is understood that the present visit of Secretary Root to New York was for the purpose of consulting prominent business men on the subject. It has been intimated that the president may send for the managers of the coal properties, but this will not be done until after the conference today and perhaps not then.
Elephant May be Executed.
New York, Oct. 1.—Big Tom, the elephant of Central park, is again in a dangerous mood, and his execution is being considered. Tom was considered a good elephant until a year ago, when he tried to kill Keeper Snyder. For the last year he has sulked and muttered as he swayed from side to side. It is believed that he is constantly planning to kill. President Haines, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has stated that Tom should be put to death.
SOFT COAL SHORTAGE.
Bituminous Famine Now Believed to Be Imminent.
DEALERS PREDICT SERIOUS PANIC.
Effect of the Continuation of Present Labor Troubles In Various Centers of the Coal Trade—Situation in Philadelphia and New York.
"If this strike continues two weeks longer, there will ensue the worst coal panic America has ever witnessed."
One of the oldest and most conservative coal shippers in Philadelphia, a man who has been in the business for forty years, made that emphatic statement to a representative of the Philadelphia Press. He was not talking of anthracite, but of bituminous coal. The public cannot overestimate the acute crisis which has been reached in the soft coal business.
Spot coal which ordinarily sells for $2.40 a ton in Philadelphia in September now brings $5 and cannot even be procured at that figure. It is $6 a ton in New York.
Not since General Lee invaded Pennsylvania in 1863 and threatened to cut all the soft coal lines to the east, says the Press, has there been a bituminous situation that compares with the present one. Contracts for delivering soft coal are made on April 1 to last for a year. Many dealers and shippers in Philadelphia are living up to that contract to the letter. The result is told by one man's experience. He says:
"I have just loaded two ships with coal at the contract price, and my profit was exactly 6 cents a ton. I could have sold the same coal right here in Philadelphia and made a profit of $2.75 a ton. In all I lost about $2,200 by fulfilling my contract to the letter."
Dealers are offering a large bonus to customers to release them from their contracts. Sometimes this premium is as much as 50 per cent. In one case recently a firm delivered nearly 1,000 tons of coal at the old price and offered the purchaser $700 cash to cancel the obligation. This was refused, and the coal went in at under $3 a ton when it could have been sold anywhere for $5.
Boston is in great distress. Telegrams come to ship coal without regard to the price, which means that they will buy it at any figure. They need the coal in manufacturing plants. Big firms here and in New York are in the open market bidding for great quantities of bituminous coal at double the schedule rate.
There is a vague notion that householders can get all the soft coal they want when the anthracite supply is not forthcoming for winter use. That is a mistake. Bituminous will also be extremely scarce, and it will cost, if the strike does not end, far more than hard coal usually does.
The difficulty is in getting the coal from the mines. Cars of the Baltimore and Ohio that were loaded on Aug. 20 have not yet reached Philadelphia. They should arrive in four days. The Pennsylvania railroad has cars on its track that were started from the mines in southwestern Pennsylvania on Sept. 1, and they are not here. The roads are blocked with coal trains, sidings are utilized for storing their own supply of coal, and there is a lack of locomotives to haul the enormous quantities demanded.
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| Main Street, Cortland, N. Y., circa 1900. |
INTERESTED IN WOOD
For it Seems Likely to Take the Place of Coal.
Aside from the appearance of the dog catcher's wagon there is nothing that attracts more attention or creates greater excitement on the streets of Cortland than does a farmer's wagon if it be loaded with wood. The people gather about a passing vehicle thus loaded and handle the wood as though it were so much gold. All manner of questions as to its value, when it was out, what the variety and how much of the same the farmer has on hand, are asked.
A very good quality of hard wood, cut stove length, is sold for $2 a cord by the farmers. Good body maple, however, can not be bought for less than $2.50.
PAGE FOUR—BRIEF EDITORIALS.
◘ It is reported that the Navajo Indians of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona are on the verge of starvation, this condition, it is claimed, being due to the diversion of water from their lands by private companies for irrigation purposes. Thus, it is insisted, they were unable to raise crops, and their present suffering is the result. The matter is one to which the government may well give attention, though it would be interesting to know how far their condition is due to the diversion of the water and how far to the slothfulness and prodigality which characterize the Indians on the western reservations.
◘ There is something of humor in President Castro's latest proclamation of amnesty to all Venezuelan revolutionists who lay down their arms within forty days. Doubtless finding other weapons unavailing in checking the advance of the insurgents, he proposes to try his typewriter on them as a last resort.
REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES
Held in all the Six Wards of the City Last Night.
NOT A CONTEST IN ANY WARD.
Supervisors Nominated in all the Wards and Aldermen in Three Wards—Twelve Delegates Selected from Each Ward—Small Number of Votes Cast.
There were no contests in any of the Republican ward caucuses which were held last evening from 7:30 to 8:30 o'clock. Twelve delegates were selected from each ward to attend the Republican city convention which is to be held on Monday, Oct. 6, at 2o'clock p. m., in Fireman's hall. An alderman was placed in nomination in the Second, Fourth and Sixth wards and a supervisor in each of the six wards of the city.
First Ward Caucus.
The caucus was held in Yager's livery barn, 68 Maple-ave. Theodore Schiele was made chairman, E. H. Richards secretary, and F. R. Birdlebough and Charles Maycumber tellers. The whole number of votes cast was seventy-eight. Alfred C. Walrad was chosen as the party candidate for supervisor. The delegates to the city convention are: Edwin M. Yager, Edmond C. Alger, A. H. Watkins, David C. Beers, Ralph H. Davis, W. J. Moore, Sidney Ketchum, Day R. Cook, Lewis S. Harrington, George P. Shares, Thomas Nix, E. H. Richards. H. L. deClercq was chosen as ward committeeman.
Second Ward Caucus.
The Second ward caucus was held in Fireman's hall. J. D. F. Woolston was made chairman, E. W. Bates secretary, and H. S. Hicks and Willard Gilbert tellers. There were 25 votes cast. E. R. Wright was chosen as candidate for alderman and D. C. Johnson for supervisor. These delegates were selected: Nathan L. Miller, Charles F. Brown, Eugene W. Bates, David H. Brown, Frank H. Cobb. Albert G. Klotten, Henry S. Hakes, Ellis M. Santee, Herbert L. Smith, Jesse W. Petrie, Willard H. Gilbert, John W. Evans. The ward committeeman will be selected by the delegates.
Third Ward Caucus.
In the Third ward the caucus was held at Potter's barber shop, Squires block. D. N. Lucy was made chairman, E. M. Seacord secretary, and Frank M. Greenman teller. Nineteen votes were cast. O. F. Allen was chosen as the candidate for supervisor. Delegates were elected as follows: Samuel N. Holden, F. D. Smith, G. F. Richards, George Bonney, J. C. Jones, Eugene Shattuck, Edwin Robbins, J. T. Summers, George Garrity, Elbert Terrill, William Pearson, T. K. Norris. D. N. Lucy was selected ward committeeman.
Fourth Ward Caucus.
The Fourth ward caucus was held at the Herald branch office. B. T. Wright was chairman, A. J. White secretary, and H. J. Harrington and M. L. Withey tellers. Thirty votes were cast. Cassius E. Ingalls was selected as the nominee for alderman and N. Jay Peck for supervisor. The delegates selected are: F. P. Saunders, E. N. Sherwood, T. C. Scudder, W. E. Powers, John Olds, Charles Miller, Henry L. Peckham, M. L. Withey, James Ellis, Asa J. White, F. W. Kingsbury, Ezra Corwin. H. S. Bliss was chosen as ward committeeman.
Fifth Ward Caucus.
The Fifth ward Republicans held their caucus at the Dexter House. S. Earle was made chairman, George Dickinson, secretary, and Eugene Eastman and Lewis Van Order tellers. Twenty-six votes were cast. George T. Chatterton was chosen as the candidate for supervisor. The delegates are: R. S. Pettigrew, F. S. Bennett, C. F. Bagley, Eugene Eastman, J. D. Doran, Chas. Mable, S. S. Horton, R. J. Latimer, Wm. Forrest, S. Earle, Edward Adsit, James Edwards.
R. S. Pettigrew was made committeeman from the ward.
Sixth Ward Caucus.
The Sixth ward caucus was held at The Kremlin [hotel]. J. F. Wheeler was chairman, H. A. Dickinson secretary, and M. E. Corwin and Byron Metcalf tellers. Forty-three votes were cast. Horace W. Hall was chosen as nominee for alderman, and Harvey J. Baker for supervisor. The delegates are: Arthur F. Stilson, Thomas H. Dowd, Frank Phelps, A. J. Lucy, A. A. Sprague, Frank J. Peck, Harrison T. Wells, Byron Metcalf, R. C. Duell, S. P. Bulkley, Jerome Wheeler, E. B. Richardson.
R. C. Duell was selected as ward committeeman.
Miss Jennie Lee.
Miss Jennie Lee died yesterday afternoon at her home, 22 Clayton-ave., Cortland, after an illness of eighteen months from a spinal trouble which grew more and more serious and caused increasing helplessness. In the last weeks the disease was accompanied by acute suffering, but through it all the patient bore her affliction with a rare patience and fortitude and manifested a sweetness of spirit which could only proceed from a naturally lovely disposition exemplified in a truly consecrated Christian character. For nine months her younger sister, Miss Margaret, had been her constant companion, scarcely leaving her side for any reason whatever, and during the eight days and nights preceding her death her three sisters were with her constantly. She was conscious till within twenty minutes of the end, and though unable to speak, made evident her gratification at their presence and inspired them with her calm and confident trust in the future.
Miss Lee was born in Marathon 47 years ago and seventeen years ago with her mother and two sisters came to Cortland where the third sister already lived. During these years she has formed a large circle of friends all of whom came to appreciate her for her genuine worth, and all of whom sorrow at her departure though they cannot but feel that it is a glad release from suffering. During the weeks of her illness her friends have constantly kept her room bright with beautiful flowers in which she took such keen delight and enjoyment. She is survived by her three sisters and one brother, Mrs. James R. Schermerhorn, Mrs. Thomas J. Lanigan and Miss Margaret Lee, all of Cortland, and Mr. Robert Lee of Marathon.
The funeral will be held at St. Mary's church tomorrow morning at 9:30 o'clock.
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| Judge Rowland Davis. |
Retires for Three Months.
John Danthe, who was arrested yesterday afternoon by Chief of Police Barnes, was sentenced to three months in tbe Onondaga county penitentiary by Judge Davis this morning. Danthe was charged with being a tramp. [Sentencing a tramp to a winter term in jail was considered an act of mercy in this era. He was fed and protected from the harsh weather and cold—CC ed.]
BREVITIES.
—The ''Arizona'' company went from Cortland to Oneonta today.
—The imported Syracuse dog catcher has rounded up thirty-two dogs in this city in a day and a half.
—Miss Agnes Heaphy was last night presented with a bicycle at the drug store of F. E. Brogden.
—Beginning this evening and continuing until Jan. 1 the hardware stores of the city will be open until 8 o'clock.
—The dead body of a child weighing about twelve pounds has been found on the lake shore near Ithaca and the police are investigating.
—The Cayuga lake hotel at Sheldrake, quite a favorite summer resort for many Cortland people, is to be sold at partition sale under a supreme court order on Oct. 18,
—New display advertisements today are—G. H. Wiltsie, Drygoods, etc., page 6; Corner grocery, Melons, etc., page 6; C. F. Brown, Fountain pens, page 6.
—Auburn has raised by subscription $27,935 for repairs and improvements upon its city hospital, but intends to increase the amount by quite a considerable sum.
—A notice was sent to this office yesterday for publication, concerning a meeting of the N. P. L. to be held last evening. The notice was a week too soon, and the meeting will be held next week Tuesday evening.
—A friend who still prefers to be nameless has given $5,000 for a new jail for the George Junior Republic at Freeville. The building will be of brick and stone, 67 by 34 feet and will contain a courtroom, twelve cells and a keeper's room.
—Mayor Gunderman of Ithaca was quite seriously kicked a few days ago by an unbroken 3-years-old colt which he had just bought. The mayor was knocked down in the stall and narrowly escaped being trampled upon.
—The Sixth district dental convention will begin at the Cortland House tomorrow afternoon. A theatre party will be held at the Opera House tomorrow night and forty-four seats have been reserved for "Gypsy Jack." A banquet at the Cortland House will follow the theatre.
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