New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-04

~ d. Ptsy enforces its orders and directions
by whatever means may be most enecluai IN
and the like not confined TO its own members
alone. but which are competed 20 JON az
far possible. all other persons similarly en-
ployed Its violent methods have already re-
ceived the condemnation of the circuit court
OF the United States (Reinecke Co vs. Moou
ll2 Fed Rep. An: United States VS.. Weber,
ia Fed. Rep. $50: United States VS.. Haggerty'
In accordance with these objects last May
the United Mine Workers ordered strike in
the anthracite coal region. which extends 10 all
the workings therein. Since that time ii has
been. so far as possible Forcing an persons Mho
willing TO work TO cease doing so Nlthlh
few days one or more miners who had returned
work, having been formerly connected win
the mine workers association. nave peeh muir
dered by those acting in sympathy Win the
strike.
INJURING INTERSTATE BUSINESS.
These facts show that the mine workers asso-
citation is not within the rules regarding ordinary
local labor organizations On the contrary. tie
. association and all of its members constitute
combination, or conspiracy, not only az COM
mon law. but also in restraint OF trade ana
commerce. among the several states, anu alSo
an attempt 10 mOnOpoize the labor necessary In
supplying coal found in one State TO the markets
~ other States and thus TO monopolize this part
Of the commerce among the several states Inc
action had by said United Mine workers mas
greatly injured the interstate business orlSlhat-
ing in the anthracite coal fields. Inc courts
have already many times held that such a com
bination is unlawful within the act OF Congress
Of July ., 1890. passed for the purpose OF pre-
venting restraints of interstate commerce, ana
known as the sherman Act Omitted States VS.
Council. ~ Fed. Rep. Gi; 15I Fed. Rep. No
Thomas vs. Cincinnati Co. ~ Fed Rep, SOz
Srl: United States VS.. Agler. 62 Fed. Rep S24
United States vs.. Elliot, 62 Fed. Rep. SoI; ot
Fed. Rep. p; Arthur vs. Cakes. o5 Fedo5 rep
80: in re Debs. "a Fed. Rep, I24; ana Los L; =
iG6 L. $. 80, 3i3. 3j65.
In addition. the District Court OF the united
states for the Western District of virginia upon
March - last. held that this tdentica! united
Mine Workers Association was illegal tOhlted
states vs. Weber III Fed Rep, 800 The case
comes clearly within the Debs case. That was
an effort 10 organize universal association OF
railroad employees, covering the whole country
for the purpose of controlling interstate COM
merce. The government instituted suit by in
junction and when the injunction was disobeyed
an forced the same by the use OF the United
States army. This quickly disposed OF the mat
ter. and the action Of the government was up
held by the courts Gin re Debs; Oh fed- Hep' 81
aid 15S United States. 064. 900 Inc true
course FOR the national government Is, therefore,
20 proceed in accordance with the preceaeni, IN
To the attention OF the fFesluehl anu tine A''O'-
ney General last June
WHAT THE COMPANIES ARE DOING.
The anthracite coal companies making
every effort 10 mine coal as RAPIDLY as possible
They are INSTRUCTED by the failure OF the state
| authorities 10 fully protect those VINO desire W
work for them. and by the failure OF the ma
tiouai government 10 enforce the statute uhueT
which The mine workers association has been
already held 10 be illegal AS soon as action or
that sort is effectively taken, there can be no
doubt that the supply OF coal viii be ample
The question at present is merely whether an
unlawful association shall he permitted in this
country 10y means which are Illegal 10 decide
who shah he allowed 10 work; wha' shaii De ms
hours OF work and what ne shail be iaIu. lhIs
is contrary To the spirit and the letter of our
laws. II they enforced such an effort VIII
cease at once. While the United Mine workers
have been cudeaVoring ever since the strike be
gan 10 prevent the production OF coal the opera
tors have been actively seeking to increase the
Hrn Flfn IL Ia
per cent 81 the normal output This company
now has about one thousand men enEaged IN
the business. The production IS steadily IN
creasing. and the rate Of increase would nave
beeu more rapid but for the failure OF the State
and national governments 10 protect the IRE,
liberty and property II those desiring 10 WoFK
for the operators and TO protect the operators
from the onslaught 81 this Illegal combination 70
restrain and moEopoliZc the entire fuel supply
~ the country II the functions Of government
in this regard were efficiently discharged pro-
duction would Doe rapid enough 20 supply all
necessities.
THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM
Grave as are the matters mentioned in the
Presidents memorandum, the questions funda-
m, ntally involved are even more serious They
are whether freedom OF life and property are 10
continue I'm this country OF are TO exist merely
in accordance with the viii Of combinations and
conspiraCies which are prohibited by the con-
stitUtion and the statutes and the common law
/ are 10 De- delivered 20 the destruction which
surely awaits them in case OF the triumph Of the
I NNThNIE "A
specially and earnestly urges upon the Presi-
dent the Of his lawful pow ers In the premises
which was made IN the Dehs case by one Of his
predecessors. and which MAS sustained by all
the courts II the national government would
now enforce the law with equal promptness the
strike would end next week
REJECTING MITCHELLs OFFER
The representative OF the United Mine Work
e-s mas now stated that it's members are willing
10 return work and ne has frequently said
that he did not demand official recognition Of
the union Notwithstanding that the Shamokin
convention Of March last resolved that the EN-
plovment OF non-union men should be a cause
for striking. The condition Of returning to work
which he makes Is that commission be APP
pointed by the President 10 investigate existing
/ conditions and that the mine workers and
operators agree TO abide by its recommenda-
lions The personnel Of such a commission is I'M
certain: its action would be without authority
Of law OF precedent. and II would be without
know ledge Of the varying conditions In the dill
fer-nt collieries and regions TINS company has
no power 10 commit the welfare and existence OF
the property 10 such uncertainties. Moreover.
IS already pointed out. the Mine Workers Is an
Illegal body and has no lawful control over its
/ members. This is shown by the Tact that after
the settlement OF 1900 local strikes were more
numerous than ever. and that its representative
| IS now constantly counseling against violence.
while nevertheless. outrages and murders are of
powerless OF insincere. and any assurances as 10
/ the future would be without value
OFFER TO REMEDY GRIEVANCES.
! En order. however, that this company may
I he under "A charge of un~tilingness 10 en-
/ aenVOr in good faith 10 remedy any grew
ances which may exist ppon the part
employees AT its several eolIiieries. e Is will
Ing that the same shall he ultimately passed
upon by the Judges OF the ConFt of Common
Pleas of the state of Pennsylvania for the
/ district where such eoIiieries nre situated.
These are the local officers OF the law having
] knowledge Of the facts II IL willing. there
4 fore. in case OF a resumption of work. to add o
us hotce already posted "a provision 10 that
erect, similar 10 that in Mr.. Baer's statement