Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-09-19
Sentiment on the Strike.
[Springfield Republican,

Popular sentiment throughout the
country is to all appearances overwhelm-
ingly against the coal corporations in
their attitude of refusing to arbitrate,
and that what they do or do not do
is none of the public's business; and this
sentiment is finding pretty radical ex-
preston. East and West. Mondays
meeting in Faneuil hall, Boston, was no
doubt symptomatic of the general public
feeling. The organizers OF the affair
went there with resolutions demanding
a settlement of the strike by arbitration,
but this was not strong enough to suit the
majority of the large audience, and an
appended resolution demanding govern
ment ownership and operation of the
mines was adopted by unanimous vote.
In Chicago the day before the mass
meeting which crowded the First Metho-
dist church to the doors was addressed
by several prominent citizens on the sub
ject of the strike. Not word was heard
in offense of the coal operators Bishop
Fallows, who presided, said that "If
God WILL we may yet see the time when
present conditions will be corrected and
the coal mines and other public utilities
be owned by the American people and
worked for the benefit of all and not
for the benefit of a few magnates."
He is thus in harmony with the conclu-
sions of the Boston meeting. Judge
Dunno squinted in the same direction
when he said
To the call of the 10000 miners that
the question be submitted to arbitration.
20 men, through their mouthpiece, Presi-
dent Baer, say that these miners were
turned over to them by Divine Provi-
dence and that there is nothing to arbi-
trate. The God I believe in is just
and humane God and I do not believe
that he would take men of the stamp
| of Baer and his associates into partner
| ship with him. These men own, by
right of law. and what the law gives
the law can take away. not by confisca-
| ton. but by condemnation. The people
enact the laws and II necessary. the
people can acquire this property and ad-
| minister 1t for the common benefit.
The judge declared that Gov. Stone
| should call the Pennsylvania legisla-
| ture in session to deal with the stua-
| ton, and If he will not or cannot do
anything. then President Roosevelt
| should summon an extra session of Con-
gress to intefere in some way. not indi-
| Gated. But to all appearances the Presi-
dent, who is talking about every other
| matter under the SUN, has not as yet
heard that there was a coal strike or
| a coal trust.
Among other speakers at the Chicago
| demonstration were several clergymen
Rev DR.. w. f. Barton of the First Con-
gregational church, who declared that II
President Baer is a steward of God he
is a mighty poor one; Rev. DIR. Fl. w
Thomas of the Peoples church who
"pitied the Christ that has to bear
Baer'' and declared that 1t Is going tc
be evolution or revolution in this country
in relation to the monopoly problem: and
| Rev. DR. Swift of the Wesleyan Meth
odist church. who took uptherole of proph-
ct and said: IT prophesy that as In the
French revolution, which sent the feuda
system skyward. public opinion will ex
plode in this country unless somethinl
is speedily done. and 1t will blow the
private rights of trusts a thousand
| leagues skyward." The resolutions ap
pealed to Gov. Stone of Pennsylvania t.
employ every legal and moral means
available to force an end OF the STRIKE
by arbitration or otherwise A contribu
ton for the striking miners was takel
up, and in the enthusiasm aroused b,
the speakers people in the galleries o
the church threw money to the lowe
| floor as the boxes were passed around
1t was decided to ask all the Chicago
| churches next Sunday to take up con
| tributions in aid of the strikers.
| The anthracite railroad officials CLAIM
| to be acting In the interest of their stock
holders. II the latter desire to have tn
ownership of their mines transferred t
the state or national government at
price which will fall short of the watere
capitalization of their corporations, the
will persist in keeping such officials II
charge. The latter, by their stupid an
presumptuous obstinacy, have succeede
in raising a storm that will be found t
have permanently unsettled the founda
lions of private monopoly In the har
coal region.