The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-10
REQUEST TO GOVERNOR STONE
THAT HE SEIZE THE AAILROApDAND
SOME OF THE MINES.
Gen. Wood Suggested as Administra-
patty for the Miners.

President to institute civil proceedings
looking to the enforcement Of the inter-
state commerce act against the coal COM
panies, and criminal proceedings against
their officers; petitioning the Governor Of
Pennsylvania to call a special session or
the Legislature of that State to condemn
all the coal-carrying railroads and suf-
hcient of the mines to supply the demands
of the people. Further, the resolution Pc
titions the President to call a special ses-
sion Of the House of Representatives and
to recommend the appointment Of COM
mittee with full power to investigate the
cause of the strike and to place the blame
therefor. A supplemental resolution OF
fered by Judge Frank E. Gavin. of Indian
apolis, was also adopted and ordered at
tached to the main resolutions. 1t urges
the President to at once institute proceed
ings to dissolve 1.-THE present combination
of the coal operators" and to have a re-
ceiver appointed to operate the mines The
supplemental report urges special ses-
sion of Congress. if it is impossible at pres
en-. for the President to take this action.
1t was o'clock when the resolutions
committee reported to the conference. A
subcommittee had spent the afternoon and
early evening in considering the many res
olutions and plans offered by different dele
gates, and reported to the full resolutions
committee at 1880 o'clock the resolutions
as adopted by the conference. From then
until nearly 8 o'clock the resolutions were
discussed by the full committee. The rad
ical element, represented by Victor l.. Ber-
ger, of Milwaukee, wanted more radical
resolutions; wanted them to declare for
seizure and operation of the mines by the
government, and governmental ownership.
John c. Nelson, of Logansport, Ind,
urged that the resolutions were not strong
enough. He contended that the govern
ment should send in force of men headed
by some conservative man like Gen. Leon
ard Wood to open the mines Immediately
and give the country coal. Some objec-
ton was made to the clause of the reso-
lutions favoring condemnation of the
mines by the State of Pennsylvania. A
majority of the committee. however. voted
in favor of introducing the resolutions as
prepared by the subcommittee.
RADICALS VOTED DOWN.
When the committees report introducing
the resolutions was made. ". l.. Berger.
of Milwaukee, announced that he could not
port as follows:
Resolved, That pending the restoration
of peace and order the United States gov
eminent seize and take possession Of the
mines of that district and operate the same
for the public convenience; and, further,
THAT we request the President of the
United States to Immediately convene in
extra session the national Congress for
he n "a
will secure the public ownership and oper-
alton of such coal mines"
This report was supported by several
speeches from the more radical delegates.
Ex-Representative w. G. p. Breckenridge,
of Kentucky, made the principal speech in
favor of the majority resolutions. He con-
doing what the minority resolution pro-
posed. I'VE know he said, that even
If Congress were called in extra session
to seize the mines There can be no cues
ton as between violence and force and APP
pealing to law. We are a lawmaking and
law-abiding race"
resolution was overwhelmingly voted down.
Judge Gavins resolution was then offered
and adopted as supplemental to the ma
made chairman of a committee to forward
the resolutions to President Roosevelt. The
committee was also made permanent to
aid in the accomplishment of what the
resolutions ask for. The resolutions are as
follows:
"This conference does not profess to have
any other authority than that which is in
herent In every body of American citizens,
properly and legally assembled, upon a mo-
mentous occasion, to express its senti-
ments. 1t believes that in these resolutions
majority of their fellow-citizens of every
State and section of the Republic.
1.-THE distressing condition of affairs in
the anthracite coal regions Of .Pennsyl-
ox,to &c hot favra
manent danger. 1t is a present and con-
tinual menace to all the Industries of the
country and TO the comfort and prosperity
of millions of our fellow citizens Anthra-
cite coal is a domestic and Industrial ne
cessity, and the mining and transportation
of 1t is allied with the public interest which
probably the United States, to take action
under their present statutes and constitu-
lions, respectively, but if those constitu-
lions and statutes are not sufficient to rem
remove the menace for the future-then
such statutes ought to be enacted as will
accomplish this purpose.
THE REMEDIES.
Resolved, That this conference, having
been advised by eminent counsel that under
the various acts of Congress known as the
interstate commerce act, the Sherman anti
trust act and other statutes, there are suffi-
cient remedies for this present condition.
"First-We urge upon the President the
necessity and expediency of instructing the
attorney general to institute civil proceed
ings looking to the enforcement of both the
interstate-commerce act and the act OF
July 2, 1890
"Second-Of instituting criminal proceed.
ings in the proper courts against the man
ayers, directors, officers and agents of all
such corporations for violat ton of both the
above-named acts.
"Third-To direct the Interstate-com.
the reasonableness of the rates of trans
portation charged by the coal transporta-
ton companies and any other violation OF
the interstate-commerce act and cause tina
tribunal to make application TO the courts
for an injunction TO restrain further exer.
else of such abuse and violation.
"Fourth-To have Congress confer upon
the interstate-commerce commission the
absolute power to fix and determine the
rates of transportation upon interstate
commerce.
Resolved. That the government that DOS.
sesses the right of eminent domain car
and should exercise that right in behalf OF
the people when, by such exercise, grea,
public wrong can be righted and great pub.
lie suffering averted.
Resolved, That We respectfully petition
the Governor of Pennsylvania unless tbs
strike Is speedily settled, to call for a spe.
cial session Of the Pennsylvania Legisla.
ture and recommend to Ii the passage of q
law providing for the condo. iation by the
all the coal carrying railroads I'm Pennsyl-
vania and Of sufficient OF the anthracite Goa
lands to enable the State to operate ths
anthracite coal mines 80 as to supply ths