Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-06
MAY ASK MINERS TO RETURN
AND INVESTIGATE IN FUTURE
zens Of Pennsylvania law and order and
the right to work il they so desire
Markle Wants Federal Troops.


Markle Wants Federal Troops.
Mr.. Markle then stated that as the
representative Of the individual coal OPP
orators and of the majority of the an
thracite coal workers, including some
1900 men who are now working. EN-
deavoring, against great odds. to relieve
the public of the possibilities Of coal
famine" he appealed to the president
if he desired anthracite coal to be placed
in the market quickly. to take the neces-
starry steps at once and put the federal
troops in the field, and give to those de-
string to work proper protection at all
times as we'll as protection for their
families and homes while they work.
do this" Mr.. Marklecontinued. The
citizens OF the United States, whom
represent, seem to feel that they have
a right to ask this of you, and will as
sure you that anthracite coal will be
rapidly placed in the market to relieve the
seriousness of the situation"
Mr.. Markle then stated that there is a
large idle class OF men now in the anthra-
cite coal fields taking every kind Of I'M
lawful act to prevent those who desire to
work to relieve the situation from doing
so. and that now only 5000 national guard
are in the field, while the total national
guard OF Pennsylvania is about 10000
Concluding. he said:
''Mr. President, a condition exists, not
theory, in the anthracite coalNfields. be-
tween a set of professional agitators and
their coworkers on the one side lamar
chistc in their acts) and the operators
and a majority of the working men on
the other, who are endeavoring to relieve
the seriousness of the anthracite coal
situation. You, Mr.. President, believe,
can relieve the situation at once. VIII
you do it?"
BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT
FOLLOW PLANS FAILURE
WASHINGTON, Oct. Att is not yet
known whether President Roosevelt will
issue a statement commenting upon the
result of yesterdays coal strike confer
ence. Some of the presidents cabinet
will advise against such course. There
is disappointment that the effort of the
president met with no better success, but
it seems to be the opinion of those who
are cognizant of the situation that the adj
ministration can do no more. The good
offices of the president to settle the
strike was the limit of his power.
Late last evening the operators who
were in conference called on Secretary
Root, but the position they had assumed
made it impossible to carry the negotia-
lions further. although various phases of
the situation were briefly discussed.
President Mitchell and the other mem
bers Of the anthracite miners party who
attended yesterdays conference, left
washington at 1880 today over the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad fc their head
quarters at Wilkesbarre Before board
ing the train Mr.. Mitchell said that prob
ably soon after his arrival in Willxesbarre
he would issue directions to the miners
how to proceed. but did not say positive
~ what he would do. Asked what direc-
lions, if any, he would issue, he replied
that any, directions issued would only
be for the continuance of the strike.
People With Mitchell.
''Do you feel" he was asked, ''that pub
lie sentiment will sustain you in continu-
ing the striker"
''It certainly must do so, after the re-
suit of yesterdays conference" he re-
piled. 1--WE are confident that we have
the sympathy of every worklngman in
the country and we will have the financial
support of most of them"
as the outside contribution sufficient
to relieve present distress?"
1T can't state the exact amount, but so
far we have been able to relieve all cases
of absolute want and we expect the con-
tributions to increase in volume. We feel
quite confident of being able to continue
the strike through the winter, but we
shall regret very much to have to do so.
not only on our own account but on ac-
count Oh the pubilCs 4DuCOAs II OAiAy eAAS
interests of the miners and the operators
were concerned the strike would be Of
comparatively little general Importance"
Murder Charge Denied.
Mr.. Mitchell referred to the charge of
Iawlessness made by. the coal operators in
the conference yesterday, saying:
Several of them made the statement
that there had been twenty murders by
the strikers since the beginning of the
strike We challenged the statement on
the spot and volunteered to tender my
resignation then and there If 1t could be
proven that there had been twenty deaths
all told from violence since the inception
OF the strike.
''The proposition was not accepted. The
truth is that there have been just seven
deaths and three of those were caused by
the coal and iron police, caused by the
mine operators. The trouble is that these
men never go to the mines and they ac-
cept without question all the representa-
tons made to them"
COAL DEALERS AMAZED
AT RooSEVELT's FAILURE
NEW YORK, oct. 4-Coal dealers in
this city were dismayed by the news that
President Roosevelt's efforts TO effect
settlement of the differences between the
anthracite operators and the miners had
come TO naugnt.
Coal retailed in the tenment districts is
now selling at 80 cents pail, which makes
a ton cost $3.50.
For a number Of years the Salvation Ar
my has bought large quantities of coal to
sell to the poor at the rate of cents a
pail One Of the officers has announced,
however. that the army is unable to obtain
a supply for the coming winter.
MINERS URGED TO RETURN
ON PROMISE FOR FUTURE
WASHINGTON, Oct. "A final eff
fort with the hope of success, is to be
made TO end the coal strike. 1t has been
discussed by the president and some OF
his advisors today and while the idea is
still in an uncompleted state and the final
result still uncertain yet it offers meth
cd which now seems to be the only sOlu-
tion of the problem.
The suggestion is made that President
Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers,
may be able to have the men now on
strike return to work in order to avert
the impending disaster which fuel fam
inc will cause and that an early date as
possible there shall be complete investi-
cation by the national legislature and
by the state legislature of Pennsylvania
into the anthracite coal situation with
view of bringing before the public the
facts and conditions of the miners with
view to legislation or recommendations for
relieving the condition of the miners in