The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-10-13
COAL
STRIKE
DISCUSSED
newspapers and Politicians
Are Criticized
A Salem Minister Describes
His Eastern Trip

1t is the general belief that % the
politicians and the newspapers had
kept their hands on the strike. that
the strikers and the operators would
have reached terms Of settlement long
ago. stated Rev. W. G. Kantner. pas
tor q the First Congregational church.
u this city. on Sunday evening, when
discussing the coal situation In the
East
Rev Kantner has just returned from
six weeks visit 10 his old home in
Pennsylvania, which Is located in the
midst Of the pending conflict between
labor and capital His sermon u Sun.
day evening was based along the line
OF observations that he made on the
trip. The theme Of the sermon was
taken from Proverbs 25:25: "As cold
water Is 70 q thirsty soul, 20 is good
news from a far country" The speak
er introduced his remarks with a ref
| erence % the magnitude and magnif-
cence Of this country. which is con.
trOlled entirely By a single form Of
government He was impressed with
ths fact that Americans DO not under
stand the wOnderfulness of their own
country. which equals, or at least. well
/ nigh approaches. the grandeur Of the
celebrated European countries. After
description % the wonderful scenery
| - C~fr-.gr. n... K.r4va- s~ra - - "a.
great material prosperity that he OBJ
served throughout the East There
are prosperous conditions all over the
country. There is an Unprecedented
activity In the building Of factories
and the extending Of railroads. while
there Is a larger employment Of peO-
pie. and a scarcity Of help exists In all
sections With all the material pros
perity. the growth and development
Of the country and it's resources,
comes the pending coal strike Of the
East. which is blighting the entire
country. In discussing this subject
Rev Kantner said in part:
"A great part Of the anthracite coal
IN the schuylkll district Is produced IN
the region Of my old home. made
three trips through the region Of the
strike. and became informed as % the
real conditions, but I do not think
there Is much prospect for a general
settlement Of the strike soon. II ap-
pears 10 be the general belief that II
the politicians and the newspapers had
kept their hands on the strike. that
the strikers and the operators would
have reached terms Of settlement long
ago. There Is an election on hand In
Pennsylvania, In which state and
county tickets are 10 be elected Both
political parties are endeavoring %
appear friendly 10 the strikers. and the
effect Is that they are prolonglng the
strike. rather than bringing II 10 a ter
mination. n there Is not a speedy end
OF the strike. cannot see how the
poor people u New York City and the
New England states are going 10 gel
through the winter. I saw women be
side the railroad embankment trying
TO scratch enough coal from the EN-
hankment with which 10 ON a scuttle
that they might have enough to cooh
some yictuals. ! also saw scores OF
mon. women and children screening
the refuse piles OF coal These refuse
piles were. In many cases thrown
away by the collieries years ago
There are houses everywhere In that
district whore there Is not an ounce
OF coal The call for relief funds does
not supply the strikers with a SUN
cheney 10 meet their wants. / learned
OF one man who received from the re
lief fund but 1915 in three weeks with
which 10 support himself and family
The blight OF the strike Is not only ON
the miner but on the manufacturer
the merchant. and the homes OF the
people affecting the entire country
but for the strike. this year would
have proved the most prosperous In
years. Merchants are going down un.
der the burdens they are Obliged 10
carry. We can have no conception OF
the awmlness OF the great suiferngs
that are resulting directly from the
strike. l trust that some way may be
reached soon by which the strike may
be ended. and bring the benefits TO the
people for which they have been strlv,
ing"
In conclusion Rev Kantner spoke OF
the religious lie OF the East. which ne
said was never more active or gave
promise OF greater results The ser.
vices were made the more interesting
by the splendid singing OF a large
choir The. musical program OF the
evening included a solo by Mrs. Sc
ley