Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-11
TELEPHONES,
THE STRIKE SITUATION.

The Two more immediate parties TO the
,-o.. s.r;k, continue to fiddle while thou-
sands of poor persons in some sections OF
the country are staring IN 'he lace 'i'e
terrible prospect Of freezing. And the
outlook for suffering other than from coiu
q. beco,ninc more threatening every day
Nor can any one see clearly the end.
The conference held in New York yes
scrday between Tire operators and certain
politicians adjourned over until tues
day next. and Mr. Mitchell, representing
.he miners stated Upon being interview
ed that there was nothing definite TO say
regarding the situation.
Meantime. counsel for one of the rail-
vays allied witt. the operators has, 1T
is learned, w,:i1en letter to President
Roosevelt, demanding that he proceed
against the United Mine Workers Assocla-
,,n under the conspirac y- provision Of the
ir,er-State commerce act. In view, how
over of the charges made against the
GENERATORS and coal carrying roads oF
reputable and conservative Pennsylvania
rapers. this demand will strike the aver
90 person as a monumental exhibition Of
assurance.
We do not undertake 10 say that the
Emitted Mine Workers Association is not,
In the circumstances, ainenahle TO the
conspiracy provision of the law IN ques-
lion. But we do affirm that if it is, the
operators and the railways associated Win
them are more so, unless the papers we
have referred TO have grossly misrepre-
scnted the situation. Furthermore, it APP
pears from the statements Of these papers
that The GENERATORS and the coal carrying
i,nes have conspired to violate flagrantly
ne constitution of Pennsylvania.
Therefore. il there are to be any legal
proceedings on the part of the United
States il would seem that it were we'll that
they be directed against both sides, and
that the Pennsylvania courts improve the
occasion &c look into the alleged case OF
the Sia1c against the operators and the
railroads.
But, pending such proceedings. if they
are to Ire taken. what is going to be
done 10 relieve at once the intoerable
conditions and avert the dire consequences
they threaten to lead to: The American
masses arc more interested in having that
question answered than in anything else
While the SLOW machinery Of the law is
working the seriousness of the situation,
present and prospective, will be steadily
aggravated. Every days delay counts
tremendously in making things worse, and
Imposes a heavier obligation upon Gov
ornor Stone to find some way. If possible,
II sur1marily bringing about the resump-
non OF mining.
In this connection, the New York World
states. on what il declares is the highest
authority" that il the coal trust ope-
rators" do not either recede from their
present position. or open the mines. and
produce coal in large quantities. within
HE next six days, Governor Stone will
call a special session Of the Pennsylvania
Legislature, which forthwith will create
d State Coal Commission, and that said
commission will proceed Immediately with
the production Of coal under the right Of
eminent domain, until the public demand
.or coal as winter necessity is adequate
!y supplied.
Let us hope the World knows whereof
# speaks.