New-York tribune., 1902-10-14
OPERATORS STATEMENT.
ISSUED AFTER THE PRESIDENTS CON.
FERENCE WITH J. 2. MORGAN.

FERENCE WITH J. T. MORGAN.
Washington. Oct 13.-secretary Cortelvou. bO
authority of those present at the White House.
made public the following authorized statement
concerning the conference:
j. P. Morgan came 70 Washington with his
partner, Mr.. Bacon, at the request of the coal
companies who desired that as a matter OF
courtesy their statement should be shown to
the President before it was made public Hav-
ing been laid before the President by Mr. Nor
gan. 1t is now given to the press.
To the Public: The managers Of the different
coal properties comprising the anthracite coal
fields wish their position in the present strike to
be understood. and therefore make the follow
ing statement OF facts:
There in the anthracite regions about sew.
enty-hve operating companies and firms and
l47,0OO miners and workmen (of which thirty
thousand are under age). comprising some
twenty nationalites and dialects.
OF these workmen possibly one-haIf belong to
the United Mine Workers Union of which John
Mitchell is president. That organization was
originally formed in the bftuminous coal region.
and three-fourths of its members are miners of
bituminous coal and bituminous coal is sold
In active competition with anthracite coal The
remaining workmen in the anthracite fields
either belong TO no union whatever or do not
belong to the mine workers union.
The present strike was declared by the Mine
Workers Union on the tenth day of May. 1902.
Since that time many workmen not belonging to
not willing to follow that organization were
working in and about the mines. From seven.
teen to twenty thousand are now at work. Many
more have wished TO work. but have been pre-
vented by course of violence and intimidation
toward those working and toward their fam
lies. accompanied by the destruction Of prop
erty and the fear Of death or bodily harm to
every who wishes to exercise his right TO
work.
schedule is annexed thereto showing
some of the things done to create this
reign Of terror. and every instance stated
can be verified by reference to the ON.
GERS of the law-civil and military-in the
anthracite region. This violence has continued
a~osteadiIy increased. Notwithstanding repeated
dfsavowas by Mr.. Mitchell and il is clear that
he either cannot or Will not prevent it. and that
the rights Of other workmen cannot be protected
under the supremacy of the mine workers.
union
The coal companies believe that the wages
paid in the coal regions are fair and full, and all
that the business in its normal condition has
been able to stand if the capital invested is 20
have any reasonable return. The profits have
haav
come bankrupt and been reorganized several
times Several have never paid dividends. and
the dividends of the others have been small
return for the capital invested.
1t is not. however. the purpose Of this state.
ment to discuss this question. The undersigned
are not and never have been. unwilling to SUBJ
nit all questions between them and their work.
men TO any fair tribunal for decision. They
are not willing to enter into arbitration with
the mine workers union. an organization chiefly
composed of men in rival and competitive in
terest. and they are not willing TO make any ar
rangement which will not secure TO the men now
working and all now or hereafter wishing to
work. whether they belong to the mine workers.
union or not the right and opportunity to work
in safety and without personal insult or bodily
harm to themselves their families. For
these reasons the arbitrations heretofore pro-
posed have been declined.
II will be remembered that at the conference
in Washington October 5 we made the follow
ing offer: That would take up at each caL-
liery any alleged grievance. and in the event ot
a failure to make satisfactory adjustment the
questions at issue to be submitted To the final
decision of the judges of the Court OF Common
CHICAGO IN TWENTY HOURS.
mia friIInnnh