Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-06
The Public and the Coal Strike.

appears to have been without practical
result, and the bitter contest bids fair
to drag its slow length for weeks. and
possibly months to come. Still the
conference is Of value in giving the
public clearer idea of the positions
taken by the contending parties.
President Roosevelt was right when
he declared that the situation has be-
come literally intolerable." The gen.
eral public certainly has rights at stake
which transcend those of the operators
or the miners-the right to have the
fuel which is necessary to protect them
from the inclemencies of the approach
to enforce that right the widespread
suffering that must result-that is even
now resulting-especially in the large
cities is appalling to contemplate. The
coal supply of the country stands upon
a different basis than most other
products, in the fact that it is neces-
market will mean untold suffering,
sickness and death, all over the coun-
try. 1t will put-indeed, it has already
put-millions of dollars of expense up
on the people Of this country. AS the
winter advances the suffering among
the masses Of the people. and especially
no, far
iiLle. and something that municipal
charity will find It exceedingly difficult.
IL not impossible. to cope with.
President Mitchell. of the United
Mine Workers, declares himself will
ing to leave all questions at issue to
committee appointed by President
Roosevelt and to abide by their de-
cision. On the other hand the opera
tors declare that II mob violence is
restrained, and workmen protected in
their Individual rights they will un-
dertake to supply the public with coal.
1t is to be said to Mr.. Mitchells
credit that he has all along cOunselled
ness; but the situation in it's present
embittered state is not an easy one to
control. The operators declare that
many Of the strikers are foreigners,
ignorant. out OF sympathy with our in
situations. and intolerant Of legal re-
straint. If this l. true-jt is equally.
&r,,a tho< tho oporof tore thamSelyeS are
responsible for the presence Of these
men in the mining districts. Having
sowed the wind they need not be sur
prised at reaping the whirlwind.
Unquestionably it is the duty of the
authorities to maintain condition
of law and order in the mining dis
tricts, and this the state of Pennsyl-
vania is undertaking to do at enor-
NOUS expense. If it's forces are made
quate 1t is entirely competent for Gov
ernor Stone to call upon the President
for Federal forces. Every man in this
country is entitled to control his own
movements within the requirements of
and property. This Mr.. Mitchell and
his official associates have always
recognized.
Even il acts Of violence should be
fully suppressed, however. it is still
doubtful IL the operators would be able
to secure working force capable of
mining coal in sufficiently large
quantities to meet the imperative
needs of the public.
1t would seem. therefore. as if the
proposition of Mr.. Mitchell to leave
the matter with committee appointed
by President Roosevelt. were the most
feasible way of securing the resump-
ton of mining operations so absolute
ly essential to the public welfare.
The operators profess to believe that
the miners would not abide by the
terms of settlement affected in this
way; but there does not appear to be
any good reason for such an assump-
ton. Certainly public sentiment. which
ia the most powerful force in our ma
tional life, could be depended upon
to stand squarely behind such an adj
justment of existing differences.
A New York exchange. in summing
up. the existing situation gives vigor-
GUS expression to Its views as follows:
The case Is not now operators
against miners. but operators and
miners against the public. II this fact
is not realized and a settlement
reached. not in the form of victory of
one over the other. but as deferring by
both to the public demand for an ad-
justment which shall permit safety and
comfort. both will find that the long
suffering public will turn against them
blindly at first but with a determined
purpose to prevent the possibility or
such conditions hereafter.
Mr.. Baer and Mr.. Mitchell may unite
in saying. What are you going to do
about it," The wisest are not pre-
pared to answer this question immedi-
ately, but an answer will be found. IL
required. The slave owners Of the
South asked that question and 1t was
answered after time. William M.
Tweed asked it, in the height Of his