The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-02

Within the Power of Rhode Island to Force Re
sumption of Mining and Transportation of Coal.

in the report that the strike has been
settled
John Markle. the only one OF the in
dividual operators invited to Fridays con-
had a conference with j. Pierpont Nor
gan. Mr. Markle seemed 10 regard the
coming conference I'm the light OF a joke.
In fact all of the coal road presidents
smiled and laughed when they were ques-
toned about IL. Mr.. Markle. when asked
what he was going 10 do. said with a
laugh:
II am going to Washington. OF course.
but / doE't know who is going to fur
nish me with railroad ticket"
will the operators at the conference
make any concessions to bring about the
end OF the striker"
Speaking for myself. ] know that
won't" said Mr.. Markle positively.
Here are my views, and j stand by
them now just as did few hours ago"
he said, pointing to a statement he had
just prepared. II was as follows:
The public is fully aware, and there
can be no doubts in the mind OF any one
who reads the reputable newspapers,
that a condition is existing In the anthra-
cite fields of Pennsylvania today verging
on anarchism; in fact. on record are
twenty-one murders and a long list OF
brutal assaults, houses and bridges dyna-
mited and several washeries burned down
as the result OF men returning 10 work.
In other words, lawlessness is now SUI
preme In that territory.
"In view of these facts irrespective OF
any merits of the controversy heretofore
existing between the presidents of the
coal roads and coal operators on one side
and their employees on the other, the Am
erican people will not tolerate for one mo-
ment or recognize a condition such as ex-
lists In the coal fields, which unquestion-
ably can be called anarchistic. The Am
erican people will insist upon the i'm
alienabe right OF their citizens to sell
their labor at what price and In what
market they desire.
II fully appreciate the desire on the
part of the different public officials at the
present time TO settle this strike question.
Unfortunately. all OF these acts on their
part are weapons in the hands of the
operators which they are using TO pro-
long the contest
The president OF the United States has
been appealed to- | understand the at
torney-general has advised the president
there are no grounds for interference;
the constitution OF the United States Will
''The reputable citizens of the country
should urge the enforcement OF the lavI
OF Pennsylvania. and IL Gov. Stone mas
not at his command sufficient forces 10
control thee situation, call upon the pres
ident OF the United states. nave no
hesitancy in saying that tr president OF
the United States will at once send SUM-
cient troops into that region 10 Immediate
ly procure proper protection.
with that. l emphatically say that
anthracite coal Will rapidly be placed j.
the market and this question will be set
tied"
II is the general belief in Wall street
that when the operators are face 70 face
with President fRooseyelt and Mr..
Mitchell. they vial. instead Of Offering
concessions or pacific measures. suggest
that the presence OF considerable BODY
OF federal troops in the anthracite re-
glon will go far toward bringing the strike
TO a close.