Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-10-22
STORY OF THE COAL STRIKE.
History of the Great Struggle Be
tween Ope. itors and Miuers.

History of the Great Struggle Be
tween Ope. itors and Miuers.
Serious grumblings came from the
miners of the anthracite coal region a
year ago. but not until the latter part of
last April did they make their formal
demand for an eight-hour day, 60 cents
ton and the recognition of their union.
The demand was refused, and Senator
Hanna and other members of the Civic
Federation succeeded in bringing about
a conference between the representatives
of the miners and George +. Bner Of the
Reading Railroad and other operators.
President Mitchell told his men Of the
appeal he had made in New York to the
coal operators, but there was no sign, he
said, of any recession. He received the
ultimatum from the four largest coal
roads May s. They all rejected the OF :
to submit their differences to the BoarI
of Trade.
President Mitchell issued the order for
temporary strike Friday, May Q, and
Monday, May Il. about $4,000 men
went out. Every man and boy OBJ eyed
the order and not pound of coal was
mined Monday. 1t was then considered
and has subsequently proved to be the
most remarkable tie-up in the anthracite
region. Senator Hanna pleaded for a
sixty day truce, but neither side favored
his scheme.
The United Mine Workers held q con-
vention at Hazleton, Pa, Wednesday,
May IA, to determine whether or not the
strike was to be made permanent. On
the second day of the session the dele
gates voted to continue the strike TO the
bitter end. About 800 men voted, and
the majority was liz.
The mine owners met in New York
May 20 and declared war to the knife"
The. miners executive committee decided
May q to keep. the pumps in the mines
running on the old basis until June 2,
and call was signed by six district lead
ers for a national convention to decide
as to whether the strike should be made
general in all sections. ts
President Mitchell on June IS, called
a nctional convention of United Mine
Workers at Indianapolis, for early in
July. The operators caused to be pub
lished long statement giving their po-
sition, and on June % President Mitchell
replied to them, and after contradicting
nearly all of their assertions, offered to
bublnlI the ulueTelces 10 Il uoaTu VI ar
bitration, and said his men would stand
by the result. The operators then at
tackled Mitchelrs assertions and positive
ly declined to arbitrate.
Senator Thomas G.. Plat began an eff
fort Sept. l to end the strike within two
weeks A woman was shot at Edwards
vile and rioting continued. One man
was killed at the Maltby mine. Gov.
Stone came TO New York Sept. s and held
a conference with Senator Plat and sew
eral Republican leaders. Mr. Morgan
still refused to interfere. and the opera
tors sent another ultimatum to the min
ers.
President Roosevelt called the mine
operators and the miners leaders into
conference at Washington and urged
them in the interest of the suffering
public to reach an understanding. Mr..
Mitchell. for the miners, offered to sub
NIT to arbitration, but the operators re-
fused TO co lsent to any compromise.
Suits were begun in the New York and
Pennsylvania courts looking to a receiver
ship for the coal mines and carrying roads
and the denunciation of the operators be-
came more general. the situation rapidly
approaching a crisis.
The conference between Mr.. Morgan,
his partner, Robert r. Bacon, Secretary
Root and President Roosevelt at he
White House Oct. IS was not tnexpcct-
ed With it came what probably brings
the end of the most remarkable labor
controversy in many years.