The daily Republican., 1902-10-04
COAL STRIKE WILL
CONTINUE FOR AN
INDEFINITE PERIOD

put NitiNh ltu " lHc ultC
immediately the parties concerned -th'
Oi.rratcrs and the miners-but the stu
alton itself vitality affects the public.
"As long as there seemed to be Il rea
sonable hope thn! these matters couli
be adjusted between the parties it die
not seem proper to me to intervene IL
any way. | dia'<laim any right or duty
to intervene in this way upon legal
grounds or upon any official relation
that | bear to the situation, but til" III.
gency and the terrible nat IRE of the
catastrophe impending over large
portion of our people impel me after
much anxious thought to believe that
my duty requires me to Use whatever
influence | personally can to bring to
all end a situation which has become
literally intolerable.
Il wish to emphasize the character
of the situation and TO say that its
gravity is such that !. am constrained
urgently to insist that each one of you
realize tho heavy burden of response
hility upon him. We are upon the
threshold of winter with an already
existing coal famine the future terrOrs
Of which we can hardly yet appreciate.
, The evil possibilities are SO farreach-
ins, 50 appalling. that IT seems to me
that you are not only justified in sink
Ing but required to sink for the time
being, any tenaci as to your respec-
tive claims in the matter at issue be-
tween you. In my judgment the situa-
tion impcrativcly requires that YOU
meet upon the common plane Of the ne
crssitics Of the public. With all the
carncstncSs there is in ME ask that
there be an immediate resumption of
operations in the coal mines in some
such way as will without Il days I'M
necessary delay meet the crying needs
of tn" people
II do not invite a discussion of your
respective claims and positions ! ap-
peal to your patriotism, to the spirit
that sinks personal considerations and
makes individual sacrifices for the gen
cral good"
Upon the completion of the presi-
dents remarks Mr. Mitchell made a
statement as follows:
"Mr. President, | ain much impressed
with what you say. l am much I'M
pressed with the gravity Of the situa-
tion. We feel that we are not re-
spOnsible for this terrible state of af-
fairs. We are willing to meet the gem
tlemen representing the coal operators
ourselves. II we cannot adjust them
that way, Mr.. President, we are will
ing that you shall name a tribunal
who shall determine the issues that
have resulted in the strike, and if the
gentlemen representing the operators
will accept the award or decision of
such tribunal the miners will willing
ly accept it, even If it is against their
claims."
The President Before considering
what ought to be done think it only
just to both of you--both sides-and de-
'irablc from my standpoint that you
should have tisnc to consider what |
nave stated as to the rea sons for my
getting you togethar, and | shall tres
)ass so far upon your good nature as
= ask that this interview cease now
md that you come back at 3 o'clock.
should like you to think over what i
have statcd-not to decide now. but
give it careful thought and return at /
o'clock.
The conference then adjourned until
o'clock. Upon reasscmbling Mr.. Baer
poke as follows:
"Mr. President, do We understand
on correctly that we will be expected
0 answer the proposition submitted
y Mr. Mitchell this morning!"
The President-It will be pleasure
D me to hear any answer that you are
'illing to make.
PRESIDENT BAER'S ANSWER.
The following is the text of the
tatcment by Mr.. George II. Baer,
resident Of the Reading railroad:
I'VE understand your anxiety is
>rcibly expressed in the statement
ou read to us this morning to bring
bout an immediate resumption of
)erations in the coal mines in some
lch way as will. without days un-
,cessary delay, meet the crying needs
the people We infer that you de-
red us to consider the offer of Mr..
itchcll. verbally made this morning.
ipressing and speaking for the United
Inc Workers, to 80 back TO work II
III would appoint commission to de-
rhine the questions at ISSUE
You distinctly say that-yOu do not
vite discussion Of your respective
aims and POSITIONS But we assume
at statement Of what is going on
the coal regions will not be ir-
leyant. We represent the owners Of
al mines in Pennsylvania. There are
ON $4,000 to 10000 men at work
lining and preparing coal. They fe
used. assaulted, injured and NAL
eated by the United Mine Workers.
ley can only work under the protcc- ,
III Of armed guards. Thousands of ,
her wOrkmen are deferred from
orking by the intimidation, violence ,
d crimes inaugurated by the United ,
me Workers, over whom John Mitch s
whom you invited to meet you, Is ,
ief.
4 need not picture the daily crimes I
mmitted by the members of this or r
The domestic tranquility /
lich every constitution declares is I
, chief object of government does not I
st In the coal regions. There is a
riblc reign of lawlcssness and crime I
re. II Only the lives and property of
members of the secret Oathbound I
Ter which declared that the locals
'uld have full power to suspend op- Ii
tIuno n DoltiorlAes ,,p%;l t1,o ,,o.. | .,