Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-10-17
THE COAL SITUATION.
Incidents Fast Piling Up-Some
thing is Bound TO "Drap."

Incidents Fast Piling Up-Some
thing is Bound to "Drap."
Nearly 100000 miners went on
strike in France, most of the mines
being compelled to close.
New York schools, and some in
other states, are closing for lack of
coal.
The Central Federated Union of
New York has adopted as their
political slogan "We want Coal and
Coler, too" This augurs well for
the Democratic nominee for governor.
The railroads that operate mines
have had the gall to ask President
Roosevelt to proceed against the
strikers under the Interstate Com
merce laws.
An authority on the subject SAYS
that he has statistics which can be
used to bring the coal barons to their
senses. He says: "The gigantic coal
companies of Pennsylvania pay prac-
tically no taxes on their valuable
properties. AS rule, they pay farm
land taxes on property that Mr.
Schwab testified to be worth $4,000
per acre. Not an acre of coal lands
but Is worth $4,000. The assessors
lists show that much of the coal
lands is assessed at So per acre"
The two more immediate parties
to the great strike continue to fiddle
while thousands of poor persons in
some sections of the country are
staring IN the face the terrible pros
pect Of freezing. And the outlook
for suffering other than from cold is
becoming more threatening every
DAY. Nor can any one see clearly
the end.-RichmOnd Dispatch.
GOVERNOR oDELL INDIGNANT.
Governor Odell and Senator Plat.
of New York, with Senators Ouay
and Penrose, of Pennsylvania, met
the coal barons at the Governors office
Friday last to consult over the situa-
ton. The operators were headed by
the self-styled "divine" Presiden |
Baer. Mr.. Baer was not in the best
humor. The conference was begun
by statement made by Senator PEN
rose, that the situation was becom-
ing so serious that some solution
must be found at once. He suggested |
that the operators should incline to
some concessions toward a settlement.
"lf you mean by that" said Presi-
dent Baer, "that we are to recognize
the existence of labor union, | tell
you right now that the operators will
consider no such proposition"
Governor Odell was on his feet i'm
an instant, and white with excite
ment: care We to understand that no
kind of conciliatory proposition will
receive consideration at the hands of
the operators ?"
81 did not say that" answered Mr..
Baer, "bnt do say, and / reiterate
It, that we will not accept political
advice, nor allow the interference of
in this, our affair"
The Governor exploded: "What do
you mean by politicians ? l want you
and all other operators to understand
that | am the Governor of New York,
The chosen representative of 7,OOO,-
700 people, and that / am here in
his matter solely in that capacity.
md to relieve, ifpossible, an intolera.
Die situation. And what is more. i
intend to use every power at nv
to do it,"
President Baer, evidently appre-
'iating that he had gone too far.
bowed to Governor Odell, and said:
Governor, | beg your pardon. No
PERSONAL affront was intended, and
We will listen to any suggestion you
nay have to make; but again repeat {
hat we must refuse to recognize ,
ne union, as represented by Mr..
81 believe" said the Governor. ,
that your position from a public
Viewpoint is absolutely untenable. If I
oal operators, railroad men, and |
ther businessmen can combine for {
mutual profit and protection, there l
no reason why laboring men I
hould not"
"What is the proposition ?" asked I
lr. Baer, coldly. {
"Just this" said Governor Odell. r
L am sure that the labor organiza- b
ION OF which Mr.. Mitchell is head. a
eslres him to be fair with the gem r
raj public. If the operators will {
onsent to give the men 5 cents a Z
On increase, | will personally present d
to the miners and l believe thew Z
Ill acceptit. tits a fair proposition "
"Does this mean, Governor Odell. "
nat we are to recognize the miners
nion?" Mr.. Baer asked. q
cit certainly does," answered Gov \
nor Odell, quickly, sand there is v
o reason why you should not" 4
Mr.. Baer and his associates left
18th only the statement that the b
latter might be considered. Later h
hey wired that the Governors propo- a
ton was unqualifedly rejected. Il