The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-09-04

management Of our business. We will not
permit them to select our employees.
Neither politics, religion. nationality, nor
membership in labor organizations shall de-
bar any competent man from working Tor
US. We are fighting the battle of freedom
Tor the individual and his right to labor
on his own terms
Fourth. That il IS. by reason of varying
conditions at each mine. impracticable TO
whole region. but that at each colliery ev-
cry complaint and grievance will be taken
up and investigated by the superintendent
ally offered to Mitchell and his district
presidents 10 go with them and investigate
any grievance
THESE NOT FOR ARBITRATION"
You see. Senator's. none of these things
can be the subject OF arbitration.
You cannot arbitrate a question OF wages
when an increase will destroy the business
and a decrease will be unacceptable TO the
You cannot arbitrate a question as to
whether mining operation and business
generally shall be managed under the COM
NOR sense rule of law and equity by the
owners and the servants they have Sc
lected. or by a labor organization.
You cannot arbitrate the right 10 pro-
tect your property and your WORKINGS from
the mob rule of labor organizations. who
boldly proclaim 4 purpose to destroy prop
erty and endeavor to make their proclama-
ton effective by killing and injuring their
fellow-workmen who refuse to join In their
lawlessness.
when John Mitchell ordered the engi-
their posts he knew nNS that unless the oper-
ators could supply their places the mines
would be destroyed, and with their destruc-
dren dependent upon their labor would be
deprived of work for n long time.
RIGHT TO GUARD PROPERTY.
"The operators were compelled to employ
police at their own expense 10 guard the
new men employed 10 man the pumps 10
save their mines. The guards and the law
authorizing them are denounced. and when
private citizens like Beddall are murdered
the State authorities are denounced for
sending troops TO preserve the peace
To-day that gallant soldier, General Co
bin, who fought with such distinction in
our Civil War. and than whom no jlSter
man lives. is bitterly maligned for protect
ing the property and lives OF pennsylvania
"Can such questions be considered?"
CIVIC FEDERATIoN'S WORK.
President Baer devotes considerable space
TO the efforts at arbitration by the Civic
Federation. He says that every phase OF
and that the coal companies offered to pro-
duce all books that would throw any light
on the subject: showed them the balance
sheets of the different companies; pointed
out that the three anthracite coal carrying
~companies-the Reading. Lehigh Valley and
Erie-had not paid dividends on their stock
for years; reduced the records showing
coal sales and showed how 40 per cent OF
the anthracite coal is sold in the market be-
low the cost Of mining. The reply closes as
follows:
You see. Senator'S. we have discussed
this whole subject fully. and I have en-
deavored to show you that sound business
management makes it impossible TO in
crease wages.
W know that the wages are fair and
relatively high. and that IL the leaders OF
the bituminous mine workers had not. for
selfish purposes. invaded the anthracite
fields, our men would nave continued to
work peaceably and contentedly."