The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-10
MITCHELL'S DECLINATION.


WASHINGTON, Oct 9.-President Nit
chell, Of the coal miners union, has refused
to comply with the appeal of President
Roosevelt to call the strike off. His letter
to the President, which was made public
at the White House to-day, says the re-
sponsibility for the continuation of the
strike should be placed upon those who
have refused arbitration. The letter follows:
''Wilkesbarre, Pa. Oct s.
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the
United States, Washington, d. c.:
Dear Sir-Hon. Carroll d. Wright has,
no doubt, reported to you the delivery of
your message to me last Monday and my
statement to him that | should take your
suggestion under Amusement. although L
time / have consulted with our district
presidents, who concur wholly in my views.
I'VE desire to assure you again that we
feel keenly the responsibility of our posi-
ton, and the gravity of the situation, and
it would give us great pleasure to take any
action which would bring this coal strike to
an end In manner that would safe
guard the interests of our constituents In
proposing that there be an immediate re-
sumption of coal mining upon the condi-
tons We suggested in the conference at the
White House. we believed that we had gone
more than half way and had met your
wishes. 1t is unnecessary In this letter TO
refer to the malicious assault made upon
us in the response of the coal operators
impressed with the fairness of our PROPOSE
ton and the insincerity of those who ma
ligned us.
Having in mind our experience with the
coal operators in the past we have no rea-
son to feel any degree of confidence in their
willingness TO do us justice in the future,
and, inasmuch as they have refused to
accept the decision of a tribunal selected
by you, and inasmuch as there is no law
through which you could enforce the find
iEgs of the commission you suggest, we
respectfully decline to advise our people to
return to work simply upon the hope that
the coal operators might be induced or
forced to comply with the recommendation
of your commission.
"As stated above we believe that we
went more than half way in our proposal
at Washington and we do not feel that
We should be asked to make further sacri-
flee. We appreciate your solicitude for the
people of our country VINO are now and will
venence by prolongation of the coal
strike, and we feel that the onus of this
terrible state of affairs should be placed
upon the side which has refused to refer it
to fair and impartial investigation.
JOHN MITCHELL,
President United Mine Workers of Ameri-
Ca"
No comment was made concerning the
letter of Mr.. Mitchell by officials at the
White House to-day, although it can he
said that the President has not exhausted
all efforts in bringing about end to the
| strike. Nothing can be learned as to the
| future intentions Of the President I'm this
| matter. and Ii is stated that the time has
| not yet come to disclose the purpose of the
| administration. This naturally gives rise
| to speculation as to what may be the next
move, as 1t was understood that the adj
| ministration had done about everything
possible in bringing the operators and
miners together in the appeal made to Mr.
Mitchell