The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-10-14

Root, were in conference with PrGSl-
dent Roosevelt at the temporary white
house last night for an hour and
half, statement was given out by
Secretary Cortelyou, in which the
presidents of the coal carrying rail-
roads and mine operators propose a
commission OF five persons to adjust
the differences and settle the coal
strike in the anthracite coal fields OF
Pennsylvania. The proposition is be-
Neved by the administration to be sat
isfactory to the miners, as it covers
the proposition made by President
Mitchell of the United Mine Workers
union, with additional conditions
which, it is believed, the miners will
accept. The statement is as follows:
"Mr. j. P. Morgan came to Washing
ton with his partner. Mr.. Bacon, at
the request of the coal companies,
who desired that as matter of court
esy their statement should be shown
to the president before it was made
public Having been laid before the
president by Mr.. Morgan, it is now
given to the press:
TO the Public: The managers Of
the different coal properties compris-
ing the anthracite coal fields wish
their position in the present strike to
be understood, and therefore make
the following statement of facts:
There are in the anthracite re.
'gions about seventy-five operating
companies and firms, and $4,000 min
ers and workmen, of which 10000 are
under age, comprising some twenty
nationalities and dialects. Of these
workmen, possibly one-half belong to
the United Mine Workers union. OF
which Mr.. John Mitchell is president.
That organization was originally
formed in the bituminous coal region
and three-fourths of it's members are
miners of bituminous coal, and bitumi
nous coal is sold in active competition
with anthracite coal. The remaining
workmen in the anthracite fields eth
er belong to no union whatever, OF
do not belong to the mine workers
union.
g The present strike was declared
by the mine workers union on the 10Th
day of May, 1902. Since that time
many workmen not belonging TO that
organization were working about the
mines. From seven to ten thousand
are now at work. Many more have
wished to work, but have been pre-.
vented by course OF violence and In.
timidation towards those working and
towards their families, accompanied
by the destruction of properties and
II I, n
every man who wishes to exercise his
right to work This violence has con
tinued and steadily increased, not
withstanding repeated disavowals by
Mr.. Mitchell, and it is clear that he
either can not or will not prevent it
and that the rights Of the other work
men cannot be protected under the su
premacy of the mine workers union
Believe Wages Are Fair.
"'The coal companies believe tina
the wages paid in the coal regions arr
fair and full, and all that the bushes:
in it's normal condition has been abl
to stand, if the capital invested is Il
have any reasonable return. Th
profits have been small and several o
the companies have become bankrup
and been reorganized several times
""The undersigned are not an
never have been unwilling to submit
all questions between them and thei
worknien to any fair tribunal for de
cision. They are not willing to ente
into arbitration with the mine worl
ers' union an organization chief
composed of men in a rival and con
petitive interest, and they are not will
ing to make any arrangement Whic
will not secure to the men now worl
Z ing, and all now or hereafter wishin
to work, whether they belong to th
mine workers union or not, the rigl
and opportunity to work in safety an
without personal insult or bodil
harm to themselves or their familie
For these reasons the arbitration
heretofore proposed have been d
Clined.
"The coal companies realize tn;
- the urgent public need of coal and tt
apprehension of an inadequate supp
for the approaching winter calls fl
an earnest effort to reach practic
conclusion which will result in an /
creased supply, and the presidents
the companies desire to make eve
effort to that end which does not
volye the abandonment of the inte
ests which are committed to their ca
and of The men who are working al
seeking to work in their mines. Til
responsibility they must bear and me
as best they can.
"'They, therefore, restate the
position: That they are not discril
mating against United Mine Worker
but they insist that the miners unit
shall not discriminate against or
fuse to work with nonunion men, tn
there shall be no restriction or {
terioration in quantity or quality
work, and that owing to the varyii
physical conditions of the anthraci
mines each colliery is problem
itself.