The Washington times., 1902-09-29
(ccntinued from First Paec.)

members that We have been more sue
cessful in allaying violence than the
Coal and Iron police in melting 1t. De-
spite all our precautions. we regret that
occasional violence has resulted, but it
would be as logical to charge any one
of the religious, social. or political OF !.
ganizations, or even the United States
Government. with being an unlawful or
ganization because some of it's members
violate the law.
"The officers Of the union are as Sc
we're as the operators in their earnest
condemnation of any and every act of
violence upon the part of striker, and
no attempt has been made. or will be
made. to condone any offense of this
sort.
however, that the operators and a GER
tain section of the press are by no
means discriminating in the fixing OF re-
sponsibility, and that crimes of violence
are laid at the doors of strikers when
the imported guardians Of law and or
der, the armed Coal and Iron police, are
clearly and Enthusiastically at fault; and
challenge the operators or their friends
to point to one single utterance on their
part in disapproval of the lawless ac-
tions of their hired guards"
AS regards Mr.. Baer's assumption that
the pumpmen, engineers and firemen
were called out so that mines would be
destroyed, and with their destruction
lac, 900 men, with their wives and chill
dren dependent upon their labors. would
Mitchell asserts that the strike Of the
pumpmen, engineers and flremen was
called in their own interest absolutely,
for the purpose of removing grievances
against which they alone complained.
Moreover notice was given, whereas II
the mine workers had sought the de-
struction Of the mining properties II
would have ordered the strike OF steam
men without giving the companies any
notice at all.
Taking up the accusations against the
mine workers by Mr.. Hewitt, Mr.. Mitch
ell asserts that as an influential director
of one of the coal roads Mr.. Hewitt is
aware that the companies
are fighting to compel the workmen to
accept employment under conditions
to the coal trust. and that
the preservation OF mems individual
rights is simply cloak under which
hey seek to destroy organization among
their employees. The statement adds:
"In this strike 1t has been claimed by
enemies of the union, and believed by
Mr.. Hewitt, although acknowledging
himself recognized friend OF trade or
eanizations. that men were prevented
from going to work through fear Of bod
ily harm. and 1t was confidently pre-
ilicted that the moment the militia came
the strike would resolve itself into a
The militia has been in
for more than eight weeks,
and still. for lack of mine workers, not
that vicinity.
Militia Not an Aid.
"Tbe militia is now stationed in the |
Panther Creek Valley. in Wilkesbarre.
and Scranton, and yet its presence
has not been followed by the desertion
,f single miner who laid down his tools |
IN Nav IL. On the contrary. many men
here to take the place OF the
strikers have Joined the ranks OF the
strikers since the arrival of the militia. |
md there Is not the remotest possibility |
IF the mines being successfully operated |
Intil an honorable and equitable settle
nent of the strike has been made.
"Referring to the demands of the min
RS for increased wages and improved
environment. Mr.. Baer claims that he
cannot possibly pay an increase in
wages that would amount to 10 or Is
ents per ton to the miners. but he and
he allied presidents admit that they can
ford TO sacrifice. temporarily. large
narket and lose millions of dollars
ather thap pay this increase. Never
heless, without advancing the miners
wages one cent the operators did raise
he market price last year from 80 to