Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-07
Governor Stone Acts.

When last Fridays coal conference failed
to end the strike through concessions by
both or either of the contestants, the re-
sponsibility for immediate action in the
emergency passed directly up to Governor
Stone of Pennsylvania. The Star so stated
at once and that view of the case was taken
by other newspapers and by authorities
throughout the country. 1t became Gov
ernor Stones duty to intervene with all the
forces at his command to prevent disorder
in the mining regions and to afford every
miner who desired opportunity to
work He has promptly accepted this bur
den of responsibility by issuing an order
calling out the entire National Guard of
the state and directing its commanders to
employ the troops in the suppression of
all forms of law breaking and the protec-
ton of men wishing to work in the mines.
Thus the case of the people in their de-
mand for coal has been moved another
step toward a break In the deadlock. The
presence of the state troops will afford the
operators an opportunity to demonstrate
their ability to mine coal If fully protected.
On the other hand, the strikers can more
definitely than before prove their loyalty
to the union If they are opposed to work.
ing without concessions granted through
raised at the. conference of last Friday
will be settled and the country will know
just how far the continuation of the strike
is due to the fear of willing miners to re-
turn to work.
II the state troops are insufficient for this
purpose, the responsibility will then fall
upon Governor Stone Of calling upon the
President for aid. If President Mitchell
and his co-leaders have the influence with
the strikers with which they are credited,
there will be no such necessity. Each
striker will. If Mr.. Mitchells denials Of dis
order attributable to the union men are
well founded. respect the law strengthened
thus by the military forces of Pennsylva-
mia. 1t IS inconcelvable that general riots
can be precipitated by non-union men or
by sympathizers in regions where practic-
ally the entire population Is engaged in
coal mining. Consequently If riots occur
and bloodshed follows and martial law Is
declared and federal Intervention is sought
the blame for the disaster cannot be laid
elsewhere than upon the strikers, whatever
may be the sentiments or the pacific Of
forts of their leaders.
Thus the test Of the case comes in the
result of Governor Stones order. If
through It the mines can be operated suf-
ficiently to supply the people with coal. it
will plainly appear that the operators were
right in their contention that they could,
II guaranteed protection, secure the serv-
ices Of an adequate force Of licensed min
ers. If with all this protection the mines
cannot be operated to a demand satisfying
extent, 1t will be equally plain that the
operators misstated the case when they
promised coal If given a proper guard.
The public cares but little now for the
merits of this controversy. 1t must have
coal and It is desperately anxious that the
shortest possible route be taken to the end
Of It's provision. 1t would welcome with de-
light and gratitude decision of the miners
to resume work Immediately. If troops
alone will guarantee the mining of
coal. let troops be sent to the full
extent Of the forces of the govern
ment. If troops will not avail, if suff1-
Client certified miners cannot be persuaded
to return to work even under an adequate
guard, then another remedy for the evil
must be sought and that will be adopted
which promises the quickest results
whether 1t proves to be some legislative
process of compulsion applied to the oper-
ators or the repeal of the state statute re-
quiring the licensing of miners.
The people must have coal