The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-18
MITCHELL DEFENDS MINERS.
THANkS PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
ron MS INTERv ENTION.

~ the Victory Won. He says. They DO
Not Exuit Over Their Opponents,
hut Invite Them To Cooperate IN an
Effort 10 Establish, Better Rels lions
Between Employer and EmplO, &C..
WASHINGTON. Oct. II. - SECRETARY Cortel-
you gave out at noon to-day the telegram
Of President Roosevelt to JOHN Mitchell.
informing him Of the appointment Of an
arbitration commission. With it is given
the reply Of Mr.. Mitchell. which came by
mail this morning. The Telegram and
letter follow: =.
WBIIt House
WARRINGTON. Oct. 10, 100: I
w. John Mitchell President. United MiHs
Workers Of America, wilkes. Barre. Pa !:
l have appointed as commissioners Brig
Zen. John NJ. Wilson. Mi r. W. Parker.
Judge George Gray. Mr. f. L. CLARK. Mr..
Thomas n. Watkins and Bishop John l.
Spalding, with Hon. Carroll ID. Wright al
recorder These names are accepted by
the operators. and ] now most earnestly
ask and urge that the miners likewise nc
cept this commission. II IL a matter of vital
concern to all our people. and especially 10
those in our great cities who ar" least well
on. that the mining of coal should be resumed
without q days unnecessary delay.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
MI MilCHLLL'S REPLY
WMKEs-BARRt, Pa. q, Oct. is, 1907.
Hon Theodore Roosevelt. President Of ht
Caihd Sfote'. Washington. y. e.:
DEAN SIR: ! am IN receipt OF your tele-
gram Of Oct. IS.
Replying thereto. ! beg to inform you
that your recommendations were submitted
TO the members of the Executive Boards OF
Districts /. and .. United Mine Workers
OF America, and they have unanimously
agreed 10 call a delegate convention TO be-
held next Monday. and will commend TO the
convention that all men now on strike re-
turn TO the positions aud working places
formerly occupied by them. and submit
10 the commission appointed by you all Ques-
lions at issue bet wecn the operators and
mine workers OF the anthracite coal fields
In connection with this subject We ar" glad
10 know that the managers OF the coal com
panies have decided to rec"de from the uu-
fenable position which they 80 long occu-
ped aud TO accept modified proposition
Tor the arbitration oil III" coal strike. aud
TO give you lull latitude IN the selection 'ot
q commission
Il will he remembered that We proposed, on
oct. 3. TO place the whole matter in your hands
aud TO accept the verdict OF a tribunal OF your
own selection II will also b- remembered
that me company mana gers al that time re-
fused 10 accept the arbitrament OF the Presi-
dent OF the United States and preferred that
Of the local Common Plea, Judges. We pro-
posed to leave everything to you. without con-
In your impartialyy and good judgment.
In their refusal to accept your arblframent
The operators sought TO hold you IN part ao.
were trying TO remedy and to instruct you as
to your duties concerning, them. Eight days
thu and
10 abide by the verdict Of tribunal appointed
by you, but attempting to prescribe within
cation % the men you we're to name. 10 this
proposition. as the operators made II. We were
First Because our respect for you as a man
and our ideas as to what IL due to the dignity
Of your Office demanded that We should not
great res ponsi blity accompanied by detailed
and impertinent restrictions as to the manner
in which YOU s'ould meet II.
second Because careful analysis OF their
proposition disclosed to MS, a. i did to YOU
and the public. that tho restriction, we're too
well balanced and Thoroughly impartial In
But pow that you have yourself removed
these objections by broadening and strength
ening the commission, We feel confident that
our convention will declare it's WILLINGNESS to
have all questions between the employing
companies and the % per cent Of their EN-
ployees who are members OF our organization
deterIined 10y the board of eminent and i'm
partial men chosen by YOU.
The patriotic effort, which you have ma de to
bTluH hUOut an UOHOThDt rttItlneflt Oh tN'
strike efforts which you cont inued despite
the remarkable spirit and conduct which you
at first found In the company managers. We
wore w position to sylnpat hize with you in
ssnuch as We had long been forced to endure
arrogance. insult and false witness from the
nnr gratitude is due TO YOU and to the
American people end the press who have
supported YOU and US in the long strugGl"
which We hope j. now about to close Dur
ing all these long mont hs IN which our motives
have been ,mpIg9cd and our 9haIa.teIs
tnalciO,lsly a--aiIsd W. nave reirained from
would tend ia render reconciliation mora
diIIlcgt. Bu, nov !, b"ccmr,s duty TO defend
ourselves against the ISLANDERS Which hav"
hoen heapcd upon US and 10 proclaim that W.
have from. the nrsr favored practically the
method which Is nov employed 20 break
II our pIoner Of arbitration or impair.
hssn no strike We have been 50 eager.
Mr President, TO respond to III" peopl"'s
Of the strike We have more than once offered
ARBITRATION, but We hay. invariably been met
with the reply. We will not permit out ,ders
AFFAIRS. We have nothing to arbitrate
Now that the managers of the companies
have been Compelled by YOU and thoroughly
aroused public conscience to recede from
this position, We are proud that the Nrmness
enc IN or Esr o. our sp and
vital American principle have won the vic
GOAL regions. who toll hard from early morn
ing until late at night for a livelihood. nobly
supported ny org ni2ed labor in this and other
lands, have taught these corporation man
ayers useful lesson in civic and social duty
We exult over this tribute to the dignity Of
labor, because IL is the triumph of right and
Of good public policy
Va do not, however, eNult over our op-
popentj; We appeal 10 them now as we have
from the FIRST. TO turn their eyes to the future
and TO cooperate with us in an effort to es-
tablish better relations between employer
aal employee for the advantage Of both
We forgive them their arrogant refusal 10
deal with us. and in this hour when they are
forced TO acknowledge their inability to oper-
ate their mines without our consent and co.
operation, We hold out the right hand of
friendship and ask them to Join with us In So.
curing amlCabe relations and wholesome con E
ditions in this region We forgive them even
he false accusations which they have made
ssSinst us They charged us with being Grim
nails. rioters, and Anarchists, and our orr gan
ihation they DENOUNCED as "lawless and .ir =
responsible. They know and did know
mat their charges were untrue and without
foundation in fact: they know that every
oHoer Of the United Mine Workers OF Amer
lca. from the president down. has constantly
urged upon its membership the Imperative
need OF respecting the laws, that every man
who commits deei OF violence IL an enemy
10 our iuse. has noen our watchword De.
spite these admonitions, supported with ali
Lar