The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-21
THE COAL STRIKE SITUATION

The determining power OF the united
Mine Workers of america prevented, on
Saturday, great disaster to the interests
of the public. of labor and Of capital. BY
adhering to the declaration made by the
organization last February at Indianapolis
at this critical time in the history OF
the order, the U. NJ w. of A. has en-
HANGED the respect Of the public for or
ganized labor under rational guidance,
which insists upon the inviolability OF
contracts and stands for sfealty to law
rather than to the sway Of impulse. -
The u M. w. of A. have undertaken
the raising Of defense fund of $1,000,O00
a month to aid the anthracite miners In
their contention with the powerful coal
road and coal operators combination.
The estimate of President Mitchell shows
that it will be necessary to sustain 15O,-
900 miners in the anthracite region to-
eether with 75O, 900 dependents, besides
$4,000 bituminous miners and $4,000 de-
pendents In West Virginia. He estimates
1924, 900 weekly contributions, by assess
ment Of miners of the order, and from
the public he expects to get $250,O00 In
weekly contributions to the fund. The
latter includes aid from the American
Federation of Labor and other sympa-
thetic organizations. The miners weekly
assessment means a hard pull on the dis
trict pursestrings and inevitable self
denial in the miners homes.
How long will this struggle continue
The strike tax levy agreed upon by
the indianapolis convention means a big
draft upon the district funds of the
order A million dollars month means
privation which, in the enthusiasm Of the
moment, is not dominant in the miners
thoughts.
Is any interposition leading to a set
Element possible? There has been q de-
cided lull in the talk about another
movement by the National Civic Fedora
tion in the interest of peace, but since
the u. M. w. Of A. has distinctly defined
its position, adhering to the principle
Of inviolability Of contracts. it Is ru-
1nored that the Civic Federation con-
templates making another appeal for q
composition of the difficulty, which means.
Of course, getting the coal operators to
consent to arbitration of the differences
with the miners. The last attempt of the
Civic Federation became mixed up with
politics, unfortunately. Senator Hanna
who was conspicuous in the intercessory
movement in behalf Of the miners, was
charged with bargaining for the labor
vote by pledging himself to use his In
Huence to secure a 5 per cent advance
In wages for the anthracite miners anG
securing the appointment Of Gompers
in the immigration Office instead Of Ter.
ence Powderly. 1t is affirmed that be.
tween the suspicious of the operator:
and the miners, Senator Hanna pulled
out of the reconciliation business and tie
Civic Federation was charged with beint
used to promote the political aspiration!
of Mr.. Hanna. This Is unfortunate fol
the Civic Federation, even If it Is positive
" untrue. An impression like that has {
persistent way OF sticking, which is yer!
difficult to remove. IL the Civic Fed
Grafton makes an attempt now to brint
the coal operators to conference or ne
gotiatfons, it should avoid even the mos
distant appearance of political hugger
muggering. -
The U. NJ. W. Of a, in their resolution
on Saturday, declare their purpose t
submit to the determination, OF s''com
petent board of arbitration touchin
the questions at issue in the anthracit
region. The coal operators have posi-
lively declined, to entertain any propo
sition for submission to arbitration. No,
that the battle is Joined and the U. N
". of a. are going to help the anthracit
miners with a big defense fund as lon
as they can raise the strike tax. and vii
continue to produce bituminous Goa
1 which is displacing anthracite, would
not be good, idea for the magnates 9
F the coal roads to pause q little In thei