New-York tribune., 1902-10-19
THE OPERATORS POSITION
WHY THEY ASKED FOR THE APPOINT
MENT OF \ COMMISSION.
HOPE THAT a SOLUTION OF THE vExING
BOR PROPAGANDA MAY BE FOUND.

HOPE THAT a SOLUTION OF THE VEXING
PROBLEMS GROWING OUT OF THE La
BoR PROPAGANDA MAY BE FOUND.
a statement that can be regarded as an an
swer TO portions of the letter written to Presi-
dent Roosevelt by John Mitchell in accepting
the arbitration Of the coal strike by a commits
sion was issued yesterday by one of the coal
operators. Individually the operators have re-
Trained from expressing their opinion of Mr..
Mitchells attack upon them in his letter to the
President and some of them have said privately
that they desired TO place no obstacles in the
way Of a speedy settlement of the strike by
criticisng Mr. Mitchers letter in the way it
deserved. The statement issued yesterday may
he considered TO represent the views of all the
operators as to the reasons for asking for arbi-
tration of he strike. 1t is the following:
The operators in consenting to submit to a com
mission the question growing out OF the present
miners strike were influenced TO DO inns not alone
by the scarcity and high prices OF all kinds OF
over the gravity of the situation-they were not in
doubt 10 the final outcome OF the present strus-
gle If prosecuted TO conclusionbuI they; IN COM
mon with all large employers of other classes of
workmen. deeply Interested and concerned over
ra i,,nrassed naTtic,l,ary with some features of
the present movement as being more serious and
menacing than any previous one IN the history OF
labor Union propaganda has been inaugurated
and is being actively promoted Whch embraces
activity throughout the country. The cardinal
principle which this movement Is founded Is
that none but union worklngmen @ snail De aHo"ea
10 work in this country. and a workman VINO IS
not a union man. with his family, shall not be al
A significant feature of this movement Is that
each class of labor is organized WITHIN nselt ana
each organization is federated with many, If not
all. the others. with the same wei uenneu pur-
wages decrease the hours Of work and improve
the general condition of the worker. -,,. -.
In, raals thn fpIlO
and being accomplished. the entire power ana IN
e nafnSe h I tnt and npair the eciency Of the
good workman. to stife his ambition ana Destroy
Wages of the Door. indifferent slothfuI workman
the same basis as that of the good one regard
thereto not; the results being that the energy
and efficiency of both classes are reduced S 20 a
lower level and the wages advanced 10 a hiSher
one. .,,,- -, =
ample OF those OF the 5hurth en- some ..rt 49, -;
have apparently adopted as their motto Inc me union
can do no WRONG OF Anything done IN 'he name
The well known occurrences in the anthracite re-
gion since the present strike began prove cOnclu-
svely the foregoing to be the creed OF this mod
dsTs and 't of ali those who actively sympathize
who are federated with 1t are In exact accord
some men in high position and of great infiu-
ence. others of unquestioned intelligence and un,
shrewdnoss but politically ambitious; have been
the leaders OF this movement great encouragement
and a standing generally before our people that
has seriously mSled some OF our DeSl anu NistSI
Realizing the grave and threatening features OF
this movement ana its evident tendency. and with
the earnest desire and hope that not only should
settlement Of the pending coal strike DC accom-
plished thereby. butOf infinitely greater and wider
importa nCe-that some rulings be made and pTinci-
pies evolved and established that shall the
organization ard administration of trades unions
throughout country, the representatives OF the
anthracite coal companies. after much careful
thought prepared the address that was submitted
President Roosevelt. embodied in which were
certain suggestions as to the type and calibre of
men who IN their opinion. should constitute the
commission pass tifJn the merits of the present
questions referred above the proper solution OF
which is of the supremest importance 10 the future
best interests OF this entire country That they.
any OF them. IN framing this address that Mr..
President. sought TO take advantage OF the poor
miners by trying 10 pack the commission or dictate
who the members Of IL should be, as has been In
timated by certain parties and newspapers. is too
Their sole desire and purpose was and Is To have
this whole controversy, and everything leading up
10 and growing out Of 1t, submitted TO and passed
upon by a body OF the ablest. hrainest best in
by the President Of the United States the end
and with the express object Of having II raised
above politics personal ambition greed. pretu-
dice or malice Of any kind. and placed on the
hig hest possible plane.
The gentlemen representing the anthracite coal
mining interests earnestly hope that the commits
sion appointed Will handle the whole subject and
All the questions collateral 10 IL. the broad
reatfirm the great enduring principles OF our laws
and institutions as respects the rights of persons
and property and the duties OF citizenship as being
those which shall in future govern the trade union
of their affairs. they and will govern The
action Of all good citizens OF these Tnsted States