New-York tribune., 1902-10-08
PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR

PRESIDENT hOoSefelt has taken dnoiAeI -
tremely interesting step in the effort 10 secure
an immediate resumption of coal mining on a
large scale. His proposal that. if Mr.. Mitchell
viii ar once secure the return OF the strikers 10
work, he will appoint a commission 10 investi-
gate the matters ar issue. and do all in his
power 10 obtain a settlement in accordance
with its report, is one which deserves the most
careful consideration OF Mr.. Mitchell and his
advisers and of the men they represent. Such
consideration IL is understood 10 be now receiy-
ing, perhaps under an agreement Of which the
President had been advised before he made the
fact OF the new negotiation public. There can
be no doubt that an announcement OF the ae-
ceptance Of the proposal would be hailed with
almost universal approval snd gratitude, ana
we think the general opinion will be that the
miners cannot afford 10 reject IT, Their adop-
tion OF the course suggested would be inter
preted not as an abandonment or defeat Of their
claims but a recognition Of an overwheln-
ing public necessity, creditable response 10 a
request from the President Of the United states.
and manifestation OF good citizenship.
II the sequence OF events suggests that the
executive order calling out the whole National
Guard OF Pennsylvania was not unrelated 70
the Presidents action, il certainly does not fol-
low that II was meant 10 put such a constra!nt
upon the miners as might incline them 70 Weld
10 his persuasion, since il is as much 10 their in
terest as 10 that OF all others that Iawlessness
should cease forthwith. whether the strike is 10
end or continue. But whether Governor Stone
has been in consultation with the President or
not. he has AT last taken the step which be
ought 10 have taken long ago. The terms of
his order. moreover. reveal gratifying. though
belated realization Of the true facts Of the stu
alton and Of the official obligations which he
has heretofore failed 10 discharge The condi-
tons which be now recognizes and rehearses
are not new. Nor are they worse than they
were for considerable time before he made up
his mind to employ all the military resources
Of the commonwealth in defence of its liberties
and its honor The troops on duty thus far
have ar no time been equal 10 their task or
late violence has been spreading and becoming
more extreme, but almost from the beginning
Of the strike many Of the lawless acts cited
and condemned by the Governor have been go
ING on. All through the summer men wanting
to work have been subjected to threats, intimi-
datiOn and assaults. and their families exposed
10 indignities and terrorized- OF these facts
the whole country has been aware. ana Gov
eTnor Stone cannot have been ignorant. He
has recently been represented as saying thar II
every miner in the State had soldier beside
IL
such thing as that II indicated a strange mis-
conception of his functions. 1t has been his
duty 10 maintain the peace and the rights OF
individuals not in order that the strike might
either fail or succeed but simply in order that
the peace and the rights OF individuals should
be maintained The consequences which might
follow did not concern him in the slightest de
gree officially, though in common with millions
Of other citizens he had deep personal interest
therein.
IT. as is assumed, the ten thousand members
OF the National Guard OF Pennsylvania, now in
arms and under orders 20 tolerate no lawless-
ness OF any nature. are equal 10 the emergency.
then in case the Presidents proposition should
be declined, the test Of opposing contentious IN
regard 20 the future coal supply will soon be
decisively applied. The operators have con
stantly asserted that adequate protection for
men wishing 10 work would mean a large pro-
duction ar once and full resumption soon. The
strike leaders have as emphatically asserted the
contrary. From one OF them We are glad 70
quote. as indicating a creditable spirit, this
view Of the matter: 'If the troops are not used
for any unlawful purpose their presence in the
''coal field cannot do us any harm" Public
order being guaranteed each side will have, If
the struggle goes on. a fair opportunity 10 prove
an essenual part OF It's case anu lhe Country
viii await the result with intense solicitude
In conclusion we may add that the promise Of
order must be completely fulfilled. If il is not
quickly evident that the State troops are able
10 control the situation Governor Stone should
not hesitate 10 ask the President for the help OF
the United States Army. The restoration Of
lawful government, far too long delayed. must
he accomplished forthwith by all necessary
means and AT aDv cost