Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1902-10-04


lions and makes individual sacrifices
for the general good.
Mr.. Mitchell then said:
Would Accept Tribunals Decision.
Mr.. President, | am much i'm
pressed with what you say. | am
much impressed with the gravity Of
the situation. We feel that We are
not responsible for this terrible state
CT affairs. We are willing to meet
the gentlemen representing the coal
operators to try to adjust our differ
ences among ourselves. If we cannot
adjust them that way, Mr.. President,
we are willing that you shall name q
tribunal who shall determine the is
sues that have resulted in the strike,
and if the gentlemen representing the
operators will accept the award or de-
cision Of such a tribunal, the miners
will willingly accept it, even if it is
against their claims.
The president said
Before considering what ought to
Re done l think /. only just to both
If you-both sides-and desirable
from my standpoint. that you should
have time to consider what | have
stated as to the reasons for my get
ting you together, and / shall tres
pass so far upon your good nature as
to ask that this interview cease now
and that you come back at 3 o'clock.
| should like you to think over what
| have stated, not to decide now, but
give it careful thought and return at
3 o'clock.
The conferenc, then adjourned un-
til 3 O'Clock. Upon reassembling, Mr..
Baer spoke as follows:
Mr.. President, do we understand
you correctly that we will be expected
to answer the proposition submitted
by Mr.. Mitchell this morning?
The President-lt will be a pleas
IRE to me to hear any answer that
you are willing to make.
Mr.. Baer-I have prepared an an
swer.
Mr. Baer made the following state
ment:
Statement by Mr.. George F. Baer,
president Of the Reading railroad:
TO the President Of the United States
We understand your anxiety as
.orcibiy expressed in the statement
you read to us this morning to bring
J5out IAN immediate resumption of
operations in the coal mines in some
such was as will, without a days un-
necessary delay meet the crying
needs Of the people" We infer that
you desired us to consider the offer
of Mr.. Mitchell verbally made this
morning, expressing and speaking for
the United Mine Workers, to go back
to work if you would appoint COM
mission to determine the questions
at issue.
You distinctly say that you do not
invite discussion of your respective
claims and positions" But we as
sumo that a statement Of what is
going on in the coal regions will not
be irrelevent. We represent the own
ers of coal mines in Pennsylvania.
There are from $4,000 to 10000 men
at work mining and preparing coal.
They are abused, assaulted, injured
and maltreated by the United Mine
Workers. They can only work under
the protection Of armed guards. chou
sands of other workmen are desV-red
from working by the intimidation, VIC
lence and crimes inaugurated by the
United Mine workers.. over whom
John Mitchell whom you invited to
meet you, is chief.
Reign of Lawlessness In Region.
need not picture the daily crimes
committed by .Ehe members OF this
organization. me domestic tran
guilty" which every constitution de-
clares is the chief object Of govern
ment does not exist in the coal re-
gions. There is a terrible reign OF
lawlessness and crime there. Only
the lives and property of the mem
bers CT the secret oath bound order
which declared that the locals should
have "full power to suspend opera
tons at collieries" until the non
union men joined their order, are safe.
Every effort is made to prevent the
mining CT coal. land when mined.
Mitchell's men dynamite bridges and
tracks, mob train men and by all
manner Of Violence try to prevent its
shipment to relieve the public.
The constitution Of Pennsylvania
guarantees protection to life and
property" IN express terms IL de-
clares the right of acquiring. pos
sessing and defending property Ito
be inalienable" When riot and an
archy too great to be appeased by the
civil power occur. the governor Of
Pennsylvania is bound to call out the
state troops to suppress it. He must
fearlessly use the whole power Of the
state to protect life and property and
to establish peace-not an armed
truce. but the peace o. the law which
protects every man at work and going
to and from work He has sent
troops to the coal regions. Gradually
the power OF the law is asserting IT.
self Unless encouraged BIZ false
hopes, order vii soon be restored.
and then we can mine coal to meet
the public wants. l. the power OF
Pennsylvania is insufficient to re-es-
tablfsh the reign Of law, the constitu-
ton Of the United States requires the
preGideuf when rQnueEfad bv the leg