The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-07

Oh our country, from a or
the coal strike, that you SO clearly
pointed out. Conscious of the RESPONSE
oility resting upon US, conscious Of our
duty to society, conscious OF our obli-
cations to the one hundred and fifty
thousand mine workers whom we have
the honor to represent, we have after
most careful consideration and with
the hope Of relieving the situation and
avertiag the sufferings and hardship
which would inevitably follow in the
wake OF a coal famine, decided to pro-
pose a resumption Of coal mining upon
the lines hereinafter suggested.
Before doing so. Mr.. President, we
desire to say that We are not prompted
to suggest this course because of any
doubts Of the justice OF our claims. In
referring to your wishes, we are
prompted by no ear on our part Of our
ability to continue the contest TO a sue
cessful issue, thanks to the generous
assistance rendered US by our fellow
workers in this n other lands; thanks
to a justice loving American public,
whose sympathies are always on the
side of right, ne are able to continue
the struggle indefinitely. But, conf
dent Of our ability to demonstrate 70
any impartial tribunal, the equity of our
demands for higher age and improv-
ed environment, We propose that the is
sues eliminating in this strike, shall
be referred to you and a tribunal of
your own selection and agree to accept
your award upon all or any Of the ques-
tionS involved. If you Will accept this
responsibility, and the representatives
of the coal operators will signify their
willingness to have one year or five
years. as may be mutually determined
between themselves and the anthracite
coal mine workers, and will pay the scale
of wages which you and the tribunal
appointed by you, shall award, We will
Immediately call a convention and re-
n ~f Nr-Orly rrnn1
the understanding hat the wages which
shall be paid, are to go into effect from
the day upon which work is
Mr.. Thomas. president Of TIE Erie in
his statement asked, "that the state Of
Pennsylvania and if she is unable, the
powers of the United States. shall ne
exerted to afford full protection to en-
ployees, not only while at work, u 70
and from their homes. as Well as to
their families: that the reign Of terror.
riots, intimidation and murder, which
for months has prevailed in the 7ntnra-
cite region shal cease. A record If 20
killed, over forty injured md with con-
slant increasing destruction of dwell
ings, works, machinery and railroad, by
mob violence, with no proper enforce
ment of law or order, by the
act on Mr.. Mitchell's suggestion Of this
morning to arbitrate with men not in
our employ. We ask The enforcement
of law and order in the state, that we
be permitted to deal with Our employees
free from foreign interference. convinc-
ed that under such conditions we can
fully perform our full duty to the
public"
MI. John Markle's statement aid
Il now ask you to perform the duties
vested in you, as tie president of these
United States; to 1T once SQuelch the
anarchistic condition Of affairs existing
in the anthracite coal regions. by the
strong arm of the military at your
command. Are you asking us to deal
with a set of outlaws? l can hardly
conceive Of such a thought. If you de-
sire anthracite coal to be placed in the
market quickly, take the necessary
steps at once and put the federal troops
in the field, and give to those desiring
work, proper protection. You do this
(the citizens of the United States whom
I represent seem to feel hat they have
a right to ask this of you) and I will
assure you that anthracite coal will be
rapidly placed in the market to relieve
the seriousness of the situation
The statement of MI. Truesdale said:
1T is first and foremost cur duty and
we take this occasion to state it and
press it upon your consideration and
through you. upon that CT the authori-
ties of the state Of Pennsylvania, to in
sist upon it, that the existing conditions
of anarchy and lawlessness, and OF riot,
" "41S1l 14lS oSN' 4oSAh 80
more or less violence throughout the
anthracite regions, during the past five
months, be Immediately and perma-
nently suppressed. That to this end,
We ask hat the entire authority and
power Of the state OF Pennsylvania,
civil and military and if needs be that
Of the United States government as
we'll, be exercised forthwith. Second,
we ask that the civil branch of the
United States government, taking cog
4 40 @~l ~11~u- 4r liz Sci
of it's courts. rendered m litigation
growing out of previous similar condi-
tons, at once institute proceedings
against the illegal organization known
as the United Mine Workers AssocIa-
ton, it's we'll known officers. agents and
members, to enjoin and restrain perma-
nently it and them from continuing this
organization and requiring them to de-
sist Immediately from conspiIing, con-
niving, aiding, or abetting the outlawry
and intolerable conditions IN the an
thracite regions for which they and they
alone are responsible.
The president asked if Mr.. Mitchell
had anything further to say.
MI. Mitchell said: 1.-THE charge made
by the gentleman that twenty murders
have been committed in the anthracite
coal regions, during the present strike,
is untrue. If they will name the men
and will show that they have committed
the murders I will resign my position.
That is a fair proposition.
Mr.. President that is a fair example
of how our organization 0nd cur people
are maligned. The truth of the matter
is, as far as I know. there have been
: seven deaths unfortunately. Nc one re-
; grets them more than I do. Three of
[ them were committed by the coal and
: iron police, and no one else has been
I charged with them. God knows the
miners do not escape being charged
, with everything done there. They
speak about burnings. There IS a re-
ward offered for burnings. I can bring
: ~affidavits of q hundred people, if neces-
1 sary, that the lightning caused one
= burning that they charged to the United
D Mine Workers. Mr.. President I have
admitted on more than one occasion
, that there has been some lawlessneSs,
. but 1 will say that a large portion of
. such lawlessness, has been provoked by
criminals. who have been brought into
e the anthracite region TO recruit the coal