Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-09-13

New York, Sept. 11.--John MarKlr,
head of the firm of q. Il. Mnrkle Co.,
the largest of the individual coal
operators In the anthracite field, makes
the following statement respecting the
proposed arbitration between the en-
ployers and employees:
There will be no arbitration ana no
settlement OF the coal strike in any
way. We have not forgotten our en-
periences ON n former occasion. There
had been in existence from 1850 an
agreement with the men in our en-
pl0y, providing for the settlement in
an amicable way OF all differences that
arose by arbitration. This was the re-
suit Of local strike lasting three
months in 1889. In 1887. nOtwithstlnd-
ing the existence of this contract for
arbitration, the men deliberately broke
their agreement and went on strike.
which lasted six months. Yet we re-
established the arbitration agreement
after it was over and went on. In 1897
there was widespread strike in the
Lehigh region, but our men stood by
their agreement and never lost days
work.
SIN 1900 John Mitchell appeared and
began Il campaign on our property. Our
employees presented list of grievances.
and I replied to them and suggested
that If our answers were not satiSfac-
tory they could demand arbitration I'M
der the existing agreement. Mr..
Mitchell distinctly opposed any arbl-
tration. asserting that we were insin-
cere. Father Phillips. priest Of
HazletOn. Of his own volition urged the
men to abide to their compact and sug-
gested Archbishop Ryan as the thlrd
arbitrator. Mr.. Mitchell opposed all
Of this. claiming that it was bluff.
"A meeting Of our employees was held,
to which Mitchell came unsolicited
and made speech. He asked me pub
licly if ! would abide by the arbirator's
verdict. and when said we wOul, he
turned to the audience and pleaded with
them, nevertheless. to go upon a strike.
Father Phillips and l followed him,
| urging the men to stand by their agree
lVG anu tHC ihNh lC-
fused to follow Mitchel's lead.
"rhen came n round of threats in
timidatiOn and violence. Almost daily
rioting parties of several hundred men
appeared on our property, led by
Mitchelrs lieutenants in the vain ef-
fort to compel our men to break their
agreement. They inaugurated -6isn
of terror. which finally resulted in the
employees breaking their compact
and throwing the projected arbitration
to the winds.
Marcus A. Hanna came into the
dispute and Secured some concessions.
The strike ended and It was heradcd
as triumph for Mitchell. Work was
resumed under these conditions on Oct.
20, 1900. The result has been the os-
tablishment Of every kind Of a trades
union in the coal district. From that
time on there have been innumerable
strikes. Mitchell has become demi-
god. and alone is Obeyed, so that an
ordinary and usual means of discipline
are practically disregarded.
"With this history before us am
sure no reasonable man will ask MS to
engage In any arbitration with Mr..
Mitchell or his immediate followers"
President Oliphant Of the Delaware
and Hudson said that if he was we'll in
formed, and he thought he was there
would be no interference on the rart
| Of Mr.. Morgan. He said no outside in
Apn 1,n InI a II, "a
strike would continue until the miners
grow tired Of 1t and return to work.
New York. Sept. 11.-Prcs dent
Fowler of the New York, Ontario and
Western Railroad company said yester-
day afternoons: "The strike will end
when the men come back of their own
accord and on the terms on which they
worked before the outbreak of The
strike. In no other manner can this
strike be ended. We will brook no out
side interference of whatever nature
political, humanitarian or Of any other
| origin. When the men go back it will
be mt the wages and on the conditions
obtaining last spring After they
have returned we will take up any
grievances with our own men. We
have posted notices to that effect in
our collierics. and that has been our /, t.
titude right along"
Wilkesbarre. Pa. Sept 11.-SOme i'm
pOrtant messages passed between the
executive mansion mt Harrisburg ,nd
President Mitchell last night. Mitchell
said that he had accepted an invitation
from Governor Stone to confer with
him at Harrisburg on Saturday. He
did not know what matters would be
discussed at the conference.
Scranton. Pa. Sept. 11.-Wort was
resumed yesterday ut one of the largest
cOllieries belonging TO the Delaware,
| Lackawanna and Western company.
Advice to British Farmers.
LOnden, Sept. 11.-In an address de-
| lvered ut the agricultural show at
Bcbington yesterday President Han