The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-10-10
PEOPLE MUST HAVE COAL.

The very hopeful report sent out from
Washington last night, after the con-
ference between President Roosevelt and
his Cabinet, may be taken as a rather en-
couraging sign. 1t has become very evi
dent that the plan outlined by The An,eri
can on Saturday morning is the only one
which gives any promise Of public relief
from the intolerable conditions which
now exist. The people must have hard
coal, ard must have it without delay.
The comparatively small amount which
is now being mined and sent to market
will not suffice. Work must be resumed
at all the mines and the output run to the
highest possible amout, in order that the
enormous demand which now exists can
be supplied.
President Baer, Of the Reading, and
the other operators who attended the
White House conference Friday posi-
lively refused to submit to any scheme
of arbitration which included recognition
Of John Mitchell or the United Nine
workers. Mitchell declared that the
union could prolong the strike indefinite
ly, and would do SO unless the demands
of the mineworkers were all granted.
Baer also claimed that if the operators
aud those willing to mine coal were given
ample protection they C ,u!d have all the
miners running to their full capacity in
very short time. 1t is now the duty of
the State of Pennsylvania and of Cover
nor Stone, as its chief executive, to afford
this protection. Mitchell claims that the
responsible for the disorder, lawlessness
and crime which have prevailed in the
region ever since the strike began. This
declaration-and we have no doubt
Mitchell was in earnest when he made it
should make the task of preserving
order easier than it has been.
1t is apparently the aim Of the Presi-
dent to guarantee the miners thorough
investigation of the conditions concern
ing which they complain, either through
the legislature of Pennsylvania or through
the Congress Of the United States Such
an investigation will require time, and
the public must not be compelled to wait
| for it. The conditions which now exist
in every city, town and village in the
country where anthracite coal is used can
be tolerated no longer. They threaten
widespread distress and suffering. The
strike MUST end. The people MUST
lave COAL Baltimore Am",irdn.
1t is now predicted that the President
will take more drastic measures to end
the strike and will possibly call Congress
in sr' cial session. Just what Congress
will be asked to do, if SO called, is not
made clear. The operators, although con-
stitutng combine in violation of the law,
are the absolute owners of the coal mines
and it is questionable if, under the law,
Consres can enact legislation which will
affect the case. The one weak point in
the Presidents argument was the fact
that Gov. Stone had failed to preserve
order in the coal districts, for that enabled
the operators to intimate that the govern
ment was in the same position MS the
strikers President Baer practically told
the President that he had ntrrfered in a
matter that was none of his business and
President ELEPHANT sent a representative
instead of coming himself tn the confer
ence, while President Cassatt. of the
Pennsylvania railroad, ignored MIR. Roose-
velt's invitation to be present