The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-18
M|TCHELL'S REPLY
TO THE PRESIDENT
The Convention Will Agree
to the Arbitration.
THE OUTLOOK is BRIGHT
Mitchell Believes That Complete, Satisfactory
and Permanent Solution of the Troubles
in the Coal Fields Will be
Reached
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Washington, d. c., Oct. 1.-THE re-
sponse of John Mitchell president of the
United Mine Workers. to President
Roosevelt's notification that he had ap-
pointed commission. was made public
today. 1t informs him of the action of
the executive boards of Districts l. Z and
9 in calling a convention and agreeing
TO recommend unanimously the resump-
tion of work and the submission of the
differences between the operators and
the mine workers of the anthracite coal
fields" to the commission. The reply
expresses confidence that the convention
will agree to the arbitration of the
eminent and impartial men" chosen by
the President. and expresses gratitude
10 the President for his patriotic efforts
to bring about an honorable settlement
of the strike. The reply goes at length
into the grievances of the miners, and
concludes with the expression of the
hope and belief that from his arbitra
tion will come "a complete. satisfactory
and permanent solution of the troubles
which have vexed the anthracite field for
time immemorial."
The President in his telegram to Mr.
Mitchell, announced the appointment of
the commission. and said:
1T is matter of vital concern to all
our people and especially to those in
our great cities who are least well off
that the mining of coal should be re-
sumed without a days unnecessary de-
lay"
Mr.. Mitchell's reply recounts the ef-
forts of the miners organization to Sc
cure arbitration. and goes into a de-
fense of the union and its demands, say
ing:
IF our Droffer of arbitration or i'm
partial investigation had been accepted
six months ago instead of now, there
need have been no strike. We have been
so eager, Mr.. President, to respond to
the peoples demand for coal that dur
ing the progress of the strike we have
more than Cnce offered arbitration. but
we have invariably been met with the re-
ply, We will not permit outsiders to
dictate to us in the management of our
affairs; we have nothing to arbitrate'
Now that the managers of the com
panies have been compelled by you and
q thoroughly aroused public conscience
to recede from this position. we are
proud that the frmness and the heroisc
endurance of our men and women in
support of their rights and of a vital
American principle have won the VIC
tori
Inc poor, under-paid mine workers.
of these coal regions, who toll hard
from early morning until late at night
Tor a livelihood nobly supported by or
ganized labor in this and other lands
have taught these corporation managers
a useful lesson in civic and social duty
We exult over this tribute to the dignity
OF labor because it is the triumph OF
right and of good public policy.
we do not. however, eXuH over our
opponents; we appeal 10 them now as
we have from the first, to turn their eyes
to the future and to cooperate with ms
IN an effort to establish better relation
Detween employer and employe for the
advantage of both.
we forgive them their arrogant refu
sal to deal with us, and in this bour
"hen hey are forced to acknowledge their
inability 10 operate their mines ,yitbout
our consent and cooperation. we hold ont
flsht hand Of friendship and ask them to
JOIN with US IN securing amicable rela-
'lons and wholesome conditions in This
region. We forgive them even the false
accusations which they have made
against us
me pretense of the operators that
they were unable to produce coaI ho-
cause intimidation kept from work mon
VINO were willing TO work. has been nro-
ven false by ehe fact that the nrotoc.
ton which hey demanded has darroase1
rather than increased the number of mon
mining coal
The operators declared thar tbov
would nave nothing to do with the I'm;
ted Nine Workers of America h,t tbo,,
have found it necessary to recosnizo ~
power OF the United Mine Workers of
America, through you. Mr. President and
TO seek terms of peace which will on
able them to resume their business of
nning and selling coal. The recognition
of our strength thus forced upon the o,-
orators by stern necessity we exuIt over
not in any narrow spirit but because
we believe it marks a forward step to-
ward a new era. Upon the foundations
laid through war we are ready to join
With them in building for better condi-
tions and long and lasting peace The
United Mine Workers of America. since
its organization in the anthracite field
has constantly sought to establish:
First.-Fair wages and just conditions
OF labor: conditions just TO both operators
and miners. We have never made de-
mands beyond the ability of the industry
10 pay on a basis of equitable division
of profits between labor and capital.
'Second.-AnieabIc relations between
employers and employees. the latter
speaking through their organization and
their orgpniza tion aiding the companies