Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-06
Roosevelt Hopes That the
Strikers Will Go To
Work With Prom
ise of Investigation.

He has, for the time being, exhausted his
individual resources.
In his views the matter is again one
with which the state of Pennsylvania
should deal. If the commonwealth finds
itself unable to control the situation and
appeals to him through the constitutional
councils. the president Will be ready to
bring into play the great forces of the
national government, military and civil.
But for the time being the president has
relaxed his efforts.
1t can be positively stated that none
been made as the result Of the failure
of the conference yesterday and they In
clude even everything from taking pos
session of the mines by the government
to sending United States troops to Penn
sylvania without regard to a can from
the governor of that state.
The Hotel Droua has just been the scene
of these suggestions have received con-
sideraion by the administration.
II is believed here that at resort to pro-
ceedings against the coal carrying roads
on the charge of imposing unlawful car
rying rates. while possible, is improbable
on account of its impracticability to &C
compllsh speedy results in. the present
emergency. In case proceedings should
be Instituted either at the initiative of the
administration or at the instance of the
miners the roads could protect the liti-
cation for two or three years in carrying
the case finally to the United States SUI
preme court
ROOSEVELT TELLS FACTIONS
TO GET BACK TO WORK
WASHINGTON. Oct. 8. = President
Roosevelt's speech to the conference of
mine operators was as follows:
~ wish to call your attention to the
fact that there are three parties affected
by the situation In the anthracite trade
the operators. the miners and the general
public. I speak for neither the miners
nor the operators. but for the general pub
lie. The questions at issue which led to
the situation affect Immediately the par
ties commemorative operators and the min
ers: but the situation vitality affects the
public AS long as there seemed to be
reasonable hope that these matters could
be adjusted between the parlIes, II did not
seem proper to me to intervene IN any
way. disclaim any right or duty to inter-
~srene-in this way upon legal grounds or
upon any official relation that / bear TO
the situation. but the urgency and the ter
rible nature of the catastrophe impending
over a large portion Of our people In the
shape OF a winter fuel famine impels me,
after much anxious thought 10 believe
It to be my duty to use whatever influence
I personally can to bring to an end sit
uation which has become literally intoler-
able.
II wish to emphasize the character OF
the situation and to say that its gravity
is such that I am constrained urgently to
insist that each one OF you realize the
heavy burden of responsibility upon him.
We are upon the threshold of winter WIN
an already existing coal famine, the flu
ture terrors of which we can hardly yet
appreciate. The evil possibilities are so
far-reaching. so appalling, that 1t seems to
me that you are not only justified in sink
ing, but required to sink for the time be-
ing any tenacity as to your respective
claims in the matter at issue between you.
In my judgment the situation imperatively
requires that you meet upon common
plane of the necessities of the public.
with all the earnestness there is in me
] ask that there be an immediate resump-
ton of operations in the coal mines in
some such way as will be no unnecessary
delay to meet the crying needs of the
people.
II do not invite a discussion of your re-
spective claims. I appeal TO your patriot
ism, to the spirit that sinks personal con-
sideration and makes individual sacrifices
for the public good.
MITCHELL AND OTHERS
PRESENT MINERS SIDE
L -
the text of the statement made 10 the
president by the official representatives
Of the Miners union:
AT the conference this morning we. the
accredited representatives of the anthra-
cite coal mine workers. were much i'm
pressed with the views you expressed and
the dangers in the welfare of our country
from a .prolongation of the coal strike
that you clearly pointed out.
comedians Of the rpSDOngfbf1ifV resting
upon us. conscious of our duty to society.
conscious of our obligation to one hum
dred and fifty thusand mine workers
whom we have the honor to represent we
have. after most careful consideration.
and with the hope of relieving the situ-
alton and averting the sufferings and
hardship which would inevitably follow in
the wake of coal famine, decided to
propose a resumption of coal mining upon
the lines hereinafter suggested;
I'VE are not prompted to suggest this
course because of any doubts of the Jus
tice of our claims. In deferring to your
wishes we are prompted by no fear on
our part of our ability TO continue the con-
test to a successful issue, thanks to the
generous assistance rendered us by our
fellow-workers in this and other lands
thanks to a justice-loving American pub
lie whose sympathie5 are always on the
side of right, we are able to continue the
struggle indefinitely; sbut, confident Of our
ability to demonstrate to any impartial
tribunal the equity of our demands for
higher wages and improved environment
we propose that the issue eliminating in
this strike shall be referred to you and
a tribunal of your selection. and agree to
accept your award upon all or any of the
questions involved.
IF you accept this responsibility. and
the representatives of the coal operators
will signify their willingness to have your
decision incorporated in an agreement, for
not less than one year or more than five
years, as may be mutually determined be-
tween themselves and the anthracite coal
mine workers. and will pay the scale of
wages which you and the tribunal appoint
ed by you shall award. we will immedi-
ately call a convention and recommend a
resumption of work upon the understand
ing that the wages which shall be paid
are to go into effect from the day upon
which work is resumed Very respectfully
yours,
JOHN MITCHELL,
President of u. NJ. w. of A.
BAER AND OTHERS
PRESENT OWNERS SIDE
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