The bee., 1902-07-03
WHAT ARE THE
"INTOLERABLE CONDITIONS" IN THE
ANTHRACITE REGION ?

peating that the anthracite mine
workers whom he processes to lead
and control have entered upon their
campaign for the paralysis of indus
try and the destruction of property
as revolt against ''intolerable"
conditions. We are eXpected to in
fer that something in the treatment
or payment of the anthracite miners
was so un just and outrageous that
it could not be endured a day longer,
but must be tOrcibly terminated at
once, at whatever cost to individual
liberty, public order, and hundreds
of industries and communities not
in any way guilty of the alleged
wrong.
But why did Mr.. Mitchell, until
overruled by a tumultuous opposi-
tion, advise that the "intolersble"
conditions, to which he now vaguely
refers, should be endured? And
why did he say that a '-''smsll con-
cession" on the part Of the operators
would have been acceptable, and
that his Union had purposely asked
more than it expected to get IN order
to have room for negotiations"
If the situation was not absolutely
intolerable when Mr.. Mitchell con-
sidered any little concessions as
desirable and probably sufficient,
and opposed strike with all his
might, what has made it intolerable
since? That it is so today, in more
respects than one, no one will deny /;
and since Mr.. Mitchell, otherwise SO
ready to talk, seems to be disinclin-
ed to explain in detail his fayorlte
adjective, 1 will do so for him, by
stating the things that are "intOler-
able" at this time in the region over
which he rules.
1. Terrorism is intolerable. This
factor began its work before the
Hazleton convention. Terrorized
miners absented themselves from
that convention, or abstained from
resisting it's headlong course. Ter
rorized shOpkeepers are giving cred
it to irresponsible strikers. Terror
ized women and children are daily
persuading husbands and fathers to
surrender to tine mob. in order that
their homes and families may be
spared from insult, violence and
murder. Terrorized town Officers
are winking at lawle,s outrage.
Terrorized school trustees are per-
uniting young women who are
Z teachers in the public schools to be
prosecuted because they have rela-
tions who still earnestly desire, and
feebly endeavor, to exercise the
rights of freemen. TerrOrized poll.
ticians are deyising ways of concil-
/ iation and compromise with d.s-
order. TerroriZed citizens are sub.
mitting for brief period of bewild-
/ ermeut-nOt, l believe, forever-tt
the silent and passive encourage.
ment of wrong, under the threats OF
the boycott. And, finally, these
things are practically encouraged by
those who have not the excuse OF
fear, but are either seekers for TEN.
porary popularity, or superficial
students of social REFORM In.
deed, Mr.. Mitchell, all this is intol.
cradle; and the world is indebted
to those who are now on strike
against it.
2. Striking is intolerable. In
dustrial work can be thoroughly ~
done only when the employee is
either the slave of his employer, or
free man, capable of making, and
responsible for keeping, a contract
with his employer.
The first condition has been tried
and found wanting in this country.
Apart from all moral considerations,
slavery is unanimously admitted to
be bad system, economically and
it would still be so if the slave were
held in bondage with his own con-
sent.
The second is the system of con-
tract, under which the individual
makes and keeps his own agree
ment. 1t is perfectly consistent
with this system that individuals
should form associations, and deal
through these with other individuals
or associations, provided there be,
somewhere, a legal responsibility
for promises made.
But there is tertium quid, hotly
by shrewd interested
and silly disinterested parties,
under which the employee is the
slave, not of the employer, but of
third party, namely an unincorpor-
ated organization which makes
and breaks promises for him, and
forbIds him to seek specia! advan-
tage by private agreement, based
upon his personal ability TO do bet
ter work, or equally good work at Il