I had definitely determined that somehow or other act I would, that somehow or other the coal famine should be broken.

To accomplish this end it was necessary that the mines should be run, and, if I could get no voluntary agreement between the contending sides, that an Arbitration Commission should be appointed which would command such public confidence as to enable me, without too much difficulty, to enforce its terms upon both parties.

Ex-President Cleveland's letter not merely gratified me, but gave me the chance to secure him as head of the Arbitration Commission.

I at once wrote him, stating that I would very probably have to appoint an Arbitration Commission or Investigating Commission to look into the matter and decide on the rights of the case, whether or not the operators asked for or agreed to abide by the decisions of such a Commission; and that I would ask him to accept the chief place on the Commission.

He answered that he would do so.