The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-14
THE OPERATORS SIDE.

The intervention of President Roosevelt
in the anthracite coal miners strike has
had one good result if it has no other. 1t
has brought out in writing the operators
side of the case, showing exactly where
they stand. The operators gave their let
ters on the subject, together with other
facts, 10 Hon. Carroll D. Wright. commits
sioner of labor, as the accredited repre-
sentative of the President. They were not
obliged to make these letters public. and
their doing so shows a willingness to be
frank in defining their position. The let
tiers were addressed by the presidents of
tho coal roads to President Mitchell, of the
United Mine Workers, in reply to one from
him inviting the operators to be present
at a Joint conference to discuss the situa-
ton and agree on a scale OF wages and
basis of settlement for the ensuing year.
There are six letters from the presidents
of as many different coal roads. They are
all written in good temper, are entirely
free from passion and are conspicuous for
strict adherence to practical business ques-
lions and for a businesslike treatment of
them. This much might be expected from
men at the head of great corporations and
charged with the management of large
business interests. Careful reading of the
letters shows that the two main points on
which the operators decline TO confer with
the mine workers-those which might be
called the striking points-were. first. I'M
willingness to bring all of the anthracite
mines under a uniform scale of wages to
be fixed, in part by persons not interested
in the ownership OF the several properties,
officers or committees representing an or
ganization instead OF with miners in their
individual capacity. In their last analysis
both OF these propositions resolve them
selves into one. namely. determination on
the part OF the operators TO keep the con-
troll of their business in their own hands.
This puts the matter from their point of
view. The general spirit of all the letters
may be gathered from the following ex-
tract from that of President Baer, Of the
New Jersey Central:
This company does not favor the plan of
having it's relations with the miners dis
turbed every year We will always re-
ceive and consider every application of the
men in our employ. We will endeavor 10
correct every abuse. 10 right every wrong.
to deal justly and fairly with them. There
cannot be two masters in the management
OF business The objection 10 your PROPOSE
ton is not alone the impracticability OF
forming a uniform scale Of wages, but IL is
10 the divided allegiance IL creates. Dis
ciplne is essential in the conduct OF all
business. IL is of vital Importance in min
ing operations. where the disobedence of
one man may endanger the lives OF hun
dreds Of his fellOw-wOrkmen You cannot
have discipline when the employe disre-
CARDS and disobeys the reasonable orders
and directions in the conduct or business
of his superior officer relying upon some
outside power 10 sustain him. Your or
ganizatiOns have no power 10 enforce their
DEGREES, and thereby insure discipline and
we have no powers to maintain discipline
except the power 10 discharge.
President Truesdale, OF the Lackawanna
road. called attention TO the impossibility
Of fixing uniform scale owing to the
widely different conditions in different
fields. and said 1.-THE policy and practice of
this company is. and always has been. to
deal directly with all classes of its en-
ployes through committees or other repre-
sentatives OF them duly accredited as such.