Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-23
ROOSEVELT BRAVE
Goal Strike Settlement Takes Dem
ocratic Prop Away.
MR.. REESE In A PECULIAR POSITION
is Champion of the Miners, But is
Fighting the Administration Which
Has Brought Relief to His Compat-
riots-No Democratic Interference.
BY HAROLD j. MAHIN.

BY HAROLD j. MAHIN.
Washington, D. c., October 23.-One |
of the greatest hopes for victory next
month was taken away from the dem
ocrats by the vigorous manner in
which President Roosevelt handled |
the coal strike problem. 1t was ar
IDENTIFY hoped that the President would
be swayed by political reasons and
would not go into the coal strike mat !
ter vigorously or earnestly for fear
of injuring the prospects of his party
at the polls next month The Presi-
dent, however, very plainly threw
politics to the winds. He was in every
sense of the word the President, the
chosen representative of the people
and the ability with which he repre-
sented them is known to every person
in the land There can be no denial
of the fact that in almost every point
the President sided with the strikers
from the first 1t is declared by an
eye witness that when in the memora
BILE conference the operators would at
times refer insultingly to the miners
and the union, John Mitchell would
glance at the President, his eyes flash
ing anger and defiance and would re-
ceive from the clear eyes of Mr.. Roose-
Welt an answering flash of Indignation
but also one of appealing warning.
The President and Mr. Mitchell re-
NAMED gentlemen throughout the con-
| ference, though it took the exercise of
nue. will power.
No Democratic Interference.
/ HIM fo,, ND ,ryi61 find
one democratic leader who as much as
raised his little finger in an attempt to
settle the great coal strike. The
irible struggle for political gain. There
was no thought of the sufferings of
humanity or of helping the miners gain
the rights and benefits for which they
were fighting. The watch word has
been, keep up the fight" "embarrass
the President" there can beno settle
ment." The hope was that the strik-
ers and the people in their distress
would be blinded into voting the demo-
cratic ticket on the theory of doing
anything for change. But Presi-
dent Roosevelt caused CONSERVATION
in the democratic camp. Instead of al
4 lowing politics to enter into the mat
ter at all he plunged into the work of
settling the strike with all his energy,
/ though it is well known that he had
advice from some timid leaders to
keep out of the affair for political rea-
sons, But the President demanded to
see fair play. He called the parties
before him and as the minute matters
formed themselves he quickly took his
4 stand by the side of John Mitchell.
faced the operators and demanded JUS
tice and arbitration. The President
has been backed in every move by his
party and it consequently does not
take thinking men long now to decide
which party Is the strongest and most
dependable friend of organized labor
for in this crucial struggle Mr..
Mitchell was practically representing
labor as a whole
Effect in the Sixth District.
Iowa is deeply concerned in this
turn of affairs because of it's effect in
the sixth district. In that district Con-
gresham Lacey is opposed by a well
known and popular mine worker as
the democratic nominee. This gentle
mans position is now peculiar. He is
running as the champion of the miners
and yet he opposes the party that has
shown itself ready and able to do more
for the organized miners of the coun-
try than was ever attempted by any
other political party before. AS a
prominent members of the miners un-
ion, Mr. Reese stands side by side
: with John Mitchell and yet he is try
ing to defeat Hon. John r. Lacey, a
personal friend and supporter of
. Roosevelt, while Mitchell has express,
ed his hearty endorsement and graft
tude to Mr.. Roosevelt. Another i'm.
portant point to Iowa is the selection
of e. B. Clark of Cedar Rapids to act
on the commission that will arbitrate
the strike. Mr.. Clark is the personal
; selection of Mr.. Mitchell and the ayow-
J. ed representative of the strikers and
he is--a staunch republican.
Mr.. Lacey's Strength.
No matter how earnest or able Mr..
Reese might he he could do nothing
for the miners when he got to Wash
ington. He would be classed with the
democratic members of course. the
men who have not in six long months
: raised hand to help the strikers and
who have even been planning to keer
them in their distress for selfish no
litical reasons. Mr.. Reese could ac
, complish nothing with this crowd. Or
!, the other hand Mr.. Lacey is one of the
pillars of the Roosevelt administration
With no reference to his past record
Of service for the coal miners he is
now right in line to uphold and assist
the President in his avowed policy Of
, seeing the miners as we'll as all or
ganized labor get justice and fair play
MI. Mitcell, the brave man who has
won for the miners the greatest victo
ry in their history has endorsed Presi
dent Roosevelt for the way he ,han
, died the strike. AS has been publish
ed heretofore this same Mr.. Mitchell
some time ago sent John F. Lacey, tn,
). personal friend and supporter O
! Roosevelt, personal letter, thanking
!. him for the work he had done for thu
;, miners. 1t is believed that the sixth
\ district, in which reside the best class
= of lowa's miners, will see that Mr.. La