The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-14
STRIKE is STILL ON.
Responsibility Should Be On
Those Who Have Refused
to Arbitrate.

Washington, October g. President
Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers.
has refused to comply with he appeal
Of President Roosevelt to call the strike
OFF, His letter to the president, which
was made public at the White House
today, say h responsibility for tn.
continuation Of the strike should be
placed upon those who have refused
arbitration. President MitchelPs let
ter follows:
"Wilkesbarre. Pa, October 8, 1902.
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President
OF the United States, Washington,
d. c.:
Dear Sir: Hon Carroll D. Wright
has, no doubt, reported to you the de-
livery of your message to me last
Monday and my statement 20 him thar
L should take your suggestion under
Amusement, although 1 did not look
upon it with favor.
Since that time / have consulted
with our district presidents who concul
fully in my views We desire to assure
you again that We feel keenly the re-
sponsibility of our position and the
gravity of the situation, and it would
give us great pleasure to take any ac-
ton which would bring this coal strike
~ III SAd, III d IudIhlSI lndI NOulO
safeguard the interests OF our constl-
tuentS.
In proposing that there be an immed-
late resumption of coal mining, upon
the conditions We suggested in the con-
terence at the White House, We be-
llevd that we had gone more than half
way and a met you wishes.
1T is unnecessary in this letter IL
refer to the malicious assault mad UP
on us In h response of the coal op-
orators. We feel confident that you
must have been impressed with the
fairness of our proposition and the in.
sincerity of those who maligned US.
Having in mind our experience with
the coal operators in the past, we have
no reason to feel any degree of conf
dence in their willingness to do us jus
tice in the future, and inasmuch a.
they have refused to accept the decision
of the tribunal, selected by you and in
asmuch as there is no law through
which you could enforce the findings
of the commission you suggest, We re-
spectfully decline to advise our peo-
hope that the coal operators might be
induced or forced to comply with the
recommendations of your commission
LAS stated above, we believe that We
went more than half way In our pro-
posal at Washington, and we do not
feel that We hould be asked to make
further sacrifices.
We appreciate your solicitude for tha
people Of our country who are now and
will be subjected to great suffering and
inconvenience by a prolongation of thu
coal strike and We feel that the onus
of this terrible state of affairs should be
placed upon the side which has refused
to defer to fair and impartial invest
cation, L am,
Respectfully,
(Signed) JOHN MITCHELL,
President u. M. w. of A"
No comment was made concerning
the letter of Mr.. Mitchell by officials al
the White House today, although II
can be said that the president has
not exhausted all efforts in bringing
about an end to the strike Nothing
can be learned as to the future inten.
ions of the president in this matter
and it is stated that the time has no
yet come to disclose the purpose of the
administration.