The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-10

AS long as Mr.. Cassatt held aloof and de-
clined to bring his influence to bear. Mr..
Morgan was unable to move the obstinate
railway presidents who have carried the
hrunt OF the fight for the corporations.
The only Way in which Mr.. Morgan could
nave secured results was by bringing on
war within the corporate interests, and
that he was unwilling to do, as his role is
pre- -eminently that Of peacemaker.
10 every appeal for settlement which
Mr. Morgan made to the railway presi-
dents they replied:
If you will let us alone we will win the
battle. All we need is ample protection by
the state or federal troops and we will
start the Mines
Such was the position until Tuesday, Mr..
Cassatt was indifferently supporting the
railway presidents. Without Mr.. Cassatt's
help Mr.. Morgan was not strong enough,
within the limits he cared to move, to dis
lodge the presidents from their obstinacy
and their claim that with plenty Of troops
they could start up the mines.
But when Governor Stone ordered out
the entire militia force of Pennsylvania to
guard the mines and the homes and per-
sons Of miners, Mr.. Morgan saw his oppor
tun1ty. He sent word to the railway presi-
dents, literally as follows. ,s
Morgan's UltInatum. i
is up to you to mine coal or make conces-
sions and stop the strike"
These words, from the greatest man in
the financial and industrial world, from
the organizer of the anthracite railway
trust, the actual master Of Lehigh and
Eric and strong power in Reading, was
Ike an earthquake shock under the feet
OF the obstinate coal presidents. 1t was
the beginning Of the end.
PIatt Sees an Opening.
At this juncture came along another
force. When Mr.. Morgan sent the fore
going message to the railway managers,
Senator Plat heard of it. He at once
saw an opportunity. He lost no time in
sending for Quay, Penrose and Odell.
There Is panic among the republican
politicians. Republican success In the east
is menaced by continuance Of the coal
strike. Both New York and Pennsylvania
are in danger. The next house of repre-
sentatives is hanging in the balance.
President Roosevelt's first effort helped
the situation a little. His second one, his
blunder of asking the miners to do all
| the surrendering, did harm because it dis
pleased the miners and chilled organized
labor everywhere.
Perceiving that the rising tide of dis
| content menaced the republican party,
Platt, Quay & Co. moved at once. They
learned that Mr.. Morgan would help them
| They also learned from him that Mr.. Cas-
salts aid was sorely needed.
They Go After Cassatt.
Then Platt, Quay and Odell went after
Mr.. Cassatt How they reached him and
| moved him and brought him into line
with Mr.. Morgan is a pretty story.
! 1t is an axiom in railway and financial
circles that Mr.. Cassatt cares for nothing
but his idol, the Pennsylvania railway. 1t
| iS haf 90 &c I,o
only living man for whose attitude and
judgment Mr.. Morgan has much fear or
respect.
| Just now the Pennsylvania railway is
having trouble with the legislative and
executive authorities Of New York In re-
gard to the Long Island railway franchise.
| The franchise has been held up over q dis
pute as to the arbitration clause. Mayor
Low and the municipal assembly want a
provision for settling labor disputes,
which President Cassatt refuses to &C
cept. Here was the opportunity for the
politicians. Here was the leverage which
they proposed to use in bringing Mr.. Cas-
sat to terms.
A Deep Laid Plan.
| Mayor Low was taken into this plan,
| and yesterday the mayor addressed the
board Of aldermen, asserting to Mr.. Cas-
salts wishes as to the terms of the fran-
chise. Plat, Odell and Lauterbach prom
ise to see that the franchise goes through
the board just as the Pennsylvania wants
it. In return for this favor Mr.. Cassatt is
| to join hands with Mr.. Morgan in set
thing the coal strike, and Platt, Odell.
| Quay & Co., are to have the glory of
bringing about the peace.
AS soon as this plan had been arranged
the senators sent to Wilkesbarre for
miners came to New Yorkain a hurry.
Mr.. Cassatt also came to New York and
had an interview with Mr.. Morgan at the
| latter's office. There have been rumors
here and in Washington that Morgan and
Cassatt are not on good terms, owing to
a difference Of opinion over the strike
question, but these rumors are probably
an exagegration.
At Mr.. Morgan's office it was ostensta-
tiously announced that he was not inter-
fering in the strike Mr.. Morgan has told
a number Of friends that he is only pri-
vate citizen. and that responsibility for
the coal strikes settlement does not rest
upon him.
! This is only play, designed to- save
the pride Of the railway presidents. In
public Mr.. Morgan disclaims any intention
to force the hands of the railway presi-
dents. They are left free to do as they
phase. But secretly Mr.. Morgan is urg-
ing them to SETTLE. They must make good
or make peace a. =, d.
The Operators Dilemma.
Confronted with this dilemma the OBJ
stinate railway presidents realize that
they are at the end of their string. They
know they cannot mine coal, because
there are. no certified miners ready to GO
to work. John Mitchell played a master
stroke when he secured the unanimous
i vote of 100, 900 mine workers-349 out OF
$50 local unions-in favor of continuingthe
strike and declaring that if all the troops
in the country were sent to guard they
would not return to work. To this mag
nifcent expression even the railway presi-
dents are forced to admit there Is no
answer. 1t is a declaration Of independ-
ence by more than 100000, the only avail
able labor to work the mines.
- y They Must Buy the Labor.
I am informed that Mr.. Morgan and Mr..
| Cassatt agree in the view that IL the "a II.