The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-10-23

/ honorable settlements OF lbne SJflhiA;
T effol is which you continued despite
the remarkable spirit and conduct
which you at first found in the COM
pany managers We were in a posi-
ton to sympathize with you mas
much as we had long been forced to
endure arrogance, insult and small
witness from the same source. Cur
/ gratitude is to you and to the
! American people and the press who
have supported you and US in the
struggle which we hope is now about
10 close. During all these long
months in which our motives have
been impugned aud our characters
maliciously assailed we have re-
Trained from saying any word or
taking any sction which would tend
to render reconciliation more diff
cult: but now it becomes a duty to
defend ourselves againsS the
SANDERS which have been heaped
upon us and to proclaim that we
have from the first favored practical
the method which is now en-
ployed to break the deadlock.
If our proffer Of arbitration or i'm
partial Investigation had been ac-
tcepted six months ago instead OF
now there need Fave been no strike,
We have been so eager, Mr.. Presi-
dent, TO respond to the peoples de-
maud Tor coal that during the pro-
gress Of The strike we have more
than once offered arbitration but we
have invariably been met Wi th the
reply. I'VE will not permit out
/ sideIs tedictate to us in the mar
Iagenent OF our affairs. We have
nothing 10 arbitrate.
Now that the managers Of tile
companies have been compelled by
you and a thoroughly aroused public
conscience to recede from this posi-
fion we are proud that the frmness
and the heroic endurance Of ourmen
and women in support of their rights,
land Of vital American principle
have won the victory. The poor,
underpaid mine7workers of these
coal regions who toll hard from early
morning until late at night for
livelihood, nobly supported by organ
lied labor in this and other lands
have taught these operation manag
ers a useful lesson in civic and social
duty We exult over this. tribute to
| lie dignity Of labor because il is the
triumph Of right and good public
! policy. We do not, however, exu't
over our opponents; we appeal to
them now, as we have from The first
20 turn their eyes to the future aud
to cooperate with us in an effort to
establish better relations between
Eemployer and employe for the adj
vantage Of both.
Miners are CharIsable.
We forgive them their arrogant
refusal to deal with US and in this
oour when they ale forced to ac-
knowledge their inability to operate
their mines without our consent and
co operation we hold out the right
hand Of friendship and ask them to
join with us in securing amicable
relations and wholesome conditions
/ in this region. We forgive them
even the false accusations which
they have made against US. They
charged US with being criminals, riot
ers and anarchists, and our organiza-
ton they denounced as 'lawless
and ponsible." They know and
did know that their charges were IN
true and without foundation ia fact,
they knew that every officer of the
United Mine Workers of America
from the president down, has con-
stantly urged upon its membership
tie imperative need Of respecting the
law; that every man who commits
a deed Of violence is an enemy to our
cause, has been our watchwcld.
Despite these admonitions, support
/ ed with all our influence, there have
/ been a few crimes and a number Of
nis3emearors chargeable to those on
strike. But, Mr.. President, we
make the unqualified declaration that
he imported guardians of law and
order, The companies coal and iron
police, lave committed more unpro-
yoked murders during this strike
than can be charged to the or cat
, army Of men who have been in idle
Z, g No