New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-17
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS.

The coal operators seem at last to be getting
down TO business. They have quit talking
about their divine right end are mining coal
There are those who think they might have
done so before Perhaps so. and perhaps not.
The mining laws of Pennsylvania, which are
on the whole reasonable and salutary, have
doubtless prevented any considerable resump-
ton of operations under ground until such time
as the men gave up striking and came back to
work. If the mine owners have given the
men every possible opportunity and encourage
ment so TO do, they have done all they could.
The fact that mining is to such extent re-
sumed is an indication that TO such an extent
men have broken away from the union and re
turned to work. 1t is not credible that the
operators have manned the mines with unlaw
full workers. or that anything like the present
output of coal is produced merely from the
washeries outside the mines. There must be
many qualified miners at work in the mines
Whatever might or might not have been done,
mining has evidently been resumed on large
and steadily increasing scale Enough coal is
now being produced TO figure materially in the
markets. This obviously brings the strike 10
a crucial point. So long nothing was being
done in the mines the strikers as well as the
operators, could rest on their arms But now
that the operators are resuning work the strik-
ers must do something or the strike viii be a
failure. and that. according to the strike lead
ers, will mean the ruin Of the abor organiza-
tons. We are not at all sure of the latter but
there is no doubt that the strike leaders are
earnestly putting the idea forth. and that many
of their followers believe it In their view of
the case the present progress of the operators
toward full resumption of mining must be
Str r11inp will ha nya6
and Mr. Mitchell will take his place by the side
of Martin Irons and Eugene Debs as a has
been"
It is stated frankly that the strikers will re-
sist the further resumption of mining with all
the means that unionism places at their dis
t.posaL" They have a right to do More
than that. may say that if what they have
said about their grievances be true. it is their
duty to do so. But-and this is the essential
point-the means must be peaceful and law
abiding. Unionism must keep the peace and re
main within the law. It cannot place at their
disposal any means outside of or superior to the
law. At the present stage Of the struggle the
temptation is strongest to resort to extreme
measures of intimidation and violence It be-
hooves Mr. Mitchell and his lieutenants to
guard against such conduct as the deadiest foe
to their own welfare. The moment that Dehs
advised one of his followers TO get gun" his
doom was sealed. Similarly 1t behooves the
local and State authorities to be especially vigi
liant and energetic in the preservation of order
and the vndication of every mans right TO
labor The crucial stage of the great strike has
been reached Both sides are getting down to
business If the operators can keep on increas-
ing their output Of coal as they have been do
ing for the last week two the strike will fail
If the strikers can check that progress and can
again stop the output Of coal, the strike will
probably succeed. But whether it succeeds or
fails it must be kept under the law. or the sup
porters of law and order will likewise get down
TO business