The Tucson citizen., 1902-11-25
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

would mean publicity. And this is not
all. A formal decision by the arbitra-
tion commission would be precedent
that would be of value in future disputes
between labor and capital. The COM
mission is composed of excellent men.
Two members of it, at least, are OF the
very first quality in ability, integrity,
courage and public spirit. We refer to
Judge Gray, the President, and Bishop
spaulding. An opinion on the merits
of the dispute between the mine owners
and the mine workers signed by these
two men would command the respect of
the country and would have an i'm
mense influence in referring industrial
troubles to arbitration for settlement in
the future.
The coal barons are a heartless lot.
They have no regard for either the
people at large or for the worker in the
mines. Whatever private arrangement
they make with the miners will be but
temporary and will be deprived of the
moral weight that an opinion by the ar
bitration committee would command.
In private arrangement between the
operators and the miners the interests
of those two classes alone will be con.
sidered. The people who consume coal
and pay for it will not be taken into
consideration.
We have heard of some of the sayings
of famous men-"the public be damned"
of Vanderbilt, Goods trustees" and
christian gentlemen" of the coal bar
ons-but to Mr.. Beauveau Borie, di
rector of the Lehigh Valley railroad, is
the proud distinction of the latest coin.
age to show the hatred and contempt of
the plutocrat for the mere people. "Let
them go to HE'LL is the classic issuing
from Borie's pure and gentle lips.
When questioned about reports con-
cerning his company and the so-called
independent mine, operators by re-
porter of the Philadelphia North Amer
ican the following conversation ensued:
Beauveau Borie, one of the directors
who attended the special board meeting,
was asked for information as to what
had been done.
"There was nothing of any import
ance or of outside interest,"" he replied.
"That being as you say, Mr.. Borie,
i would it not be to the best interest of
the company and all concerned to let it
be known just what the financial mat
ters acted upon were?"
"There has been too much idle talk
already. 1t is buzz, buzz, buzz, and
nothing after ALL
"But, Mr.. Borie, the public may think
in view of what is talked around that
something of importance was acted up
on, and this belief, when the facts are
otherwise, as you say, might result
harmtully."
swell, let them 60 to hell. It is no.
} body's business what was done, any
more than it would be if paid five
cents more for newspaper"
1t does not seem to occur to these coal
| barons that the public is of any import
, ance whatever. If the public is nee.
essary evil, then, in view of these coal
barons, it is to be denied the right of
protest and must accept whatever con-
, ditions the coal barons seek to establish.
A little over year ago in Tucson
, home two children were very much
frightened because of a severe storm
that was in progress and the efforts of
the mother to quiet the children were
, futile. Finally five year old lad tho
had not been at all alarmed and was
sitting at the window watching the
storm with great interest blurted out
"Oh, shut up your bawling; don't you
suppose God knows his business?''
These. coal barons from Borie up to
, Baer, or from Baer up to Bore, as you
please, will assure every inquirer that
God knew his business when he chose
trustees who were to control the proper
!, ty of the world. But the people ought
, to have something to say about it. The
arbitration commission appointed by
the President should proceed with it's
work regardless of the private arrange
ment of the coal barons and the miners.
The people have right to true view
of the conditions, and the great princi
pie of arbitration should not be side
tracked by the barons in their fear OF
: exposure. Mr.. Mitchell will make his
first big mistake if he fails to insist on
the commission proceeding with it's
work.
--C--~@"