The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-06
HANNAlS WORRIED.
He Favors Arbitration to Settle the
Big Miners Strike.

Big Miners Strike.
strike of the United Mine Workers of
America for living wages and bit of
Mckinley prosperity will be a fruitful
theme for discussion in congress this
week. Probably by Tuesday resolu-
lions will be introduced in the senate
and house urging the president to ap-
point an arbitration commission to set
tie, if possible, the points of difference
between the operators and the $50, 900
coal miners out on a strike in Ohio
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and
West Virginia
Many members of both houses favor
the suggestion of arbitration in this,
one of the greatest labor contests of re-
cent years, and there will be a number
of warm champions of the proposition.
New York, July 5.--The Journal and
Advertiser this morning publishes spe-
cial dispatches giving the following
opinions from public men regarding the
coal miners strike and the possibilities
of arbitration. Senator Hanna says:
II deprecate that the coal mining
troubles should come at this time, when
the conditions of trade are such as to
make it seem impossible to secure a
favorable consideration of the demands
made. The rates of wages are unequal
among the several mines in certain dis
trictS, which is not fair to the men,
This is the first point to be adjusted
and is a matter which should be arbi-
LTtblGO di ONCE anu 4dI1y SSLllCo <hS
soon as business revives and an in
creased demand for coal will justify it,
the miners should have their full share
of the benefits, and believe they will
secure it without a strike. I am al
ways in favor of arbitration in the set
Element of difficulties between operat-
ors and their men. 1 hope that such
a course will be pursued in this in
stance as will bring results satisfactory
to both Sides
Senator Fairbanks said:
II regret that any differences should
have arisen between the coal operators
and the miners. 1t is to be hoped that
wise counSelS may prevail and that an
early settlement of the disputed ques-
tons may be made upon fair and hon
orable terms.
"A strike will unfavorably affect bust
ness more or less for the time being.
There are evidences on all sides of re
turning prosperity and anything that
arises which may tend to delay the
early return of normal commercial con-
ditionS is to be deplOred. 1t would
seem that there is wisdom and patriot
ism enough among all parties concern
ed to enable them to unite upon some
method of arbitration whereby "a
speedy settlement may be reached and
suffering and distress thereby averted."
Senator Turpie says:
Neither congress nor the president
has any judicial authority and conse-
Quently could not sit as a board of ar
bitration. I think that arbitration will
be the solution of all labor troubles
some time, but it must be conducted I'M
der federal authority. Some or the
. states have laws providing for the ap-
pointment of arbitration boards to set
tie strikes and 1ock-outs, but as many
of these troubles extend through more
than one state, one board could not deal
with the matter outside of its own jur-
isdiction.
Senator Lindsay says:
'Inasmuch as the strike itself is to
extend through six states and AFFECT as
many more, I believe the proposition
looking to arbitration to be in the ma
ture of a wise and humane effort to
bring about a. settlement of the present
difficulties with none of the attendant
horrors that would follow a prolonged
strike Given men as arbitrator in
the miners and operators alike could
trust the result of careful arbitration
of the disputes between these workmen
and their employers would certainly
lead to a better condition. do not
anticipate that the strike will affect the
miners of my state, but should it do SO
1 believe they would faVorably regard
such a proposition.
Secretary of State Sherman says:
Arbitration is always the best means
of solving such complications as the
miners strike, when the parties con-
cerned are willing to arbitrate. The
question of offering arbitration, L
think, is one for. congress"
Attorney General McKenna:
1.-The strike looks formidable now, but
may soon be settled by compromise or
as other strikes have been settled-by
one side or the other yielding. / know
government to interfere between en-
ployer and emp1oye in a matter OF this
particular kind. No request has been
made to the administration, 50 lar
as 1 know, by either side to arbitrate
between the mine owners and the min
erS."