The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-04
Various Operators and Miners Officials Submit Statements at the Second Meeting Presenting inFOrcibe Manner Both Sides of the Question
BAER SAYS ONLY THE LIVES
 OF UNION MEN ARE NOW SAFE
Situation in Anthracite Regions is Described by Operators Terrible Reign of Lawessness and Crme-They Say
 Anarchy is Stopped Coal Can be Mined

1 you expressed and the dangers to the well fare of our country from prolongation of the coal strike that you clearly point ed out Conscious of the responsibility ] resting upon us, conscious of our duty to society, conscious of our obligations to the 150,000 mine workers whom we have the honor to represent, We have after most careful consideration and with the hope of relieving the situation and avert ing the sufferings and hardship which would inevitably follow in the wake of q coal famine decided to propose a re- sumption of ccal mining upon the lines hereinafter suggested.
 We are not prompted to suggest this course because of any doubts of the jus tice of our claims. In deferring to your wishes we are prompted by no fear on our part of our ability to continue the contest to a successful issue thanks to the generous assistance rendered us by our fellow-workers in this and other landsi thanks to justice-loving Ameri- can public, whose sympathies are al- ways on the side of right. we are able to continue the struggle indefinitely. But confident of our ability to demonstrate to any impartial tribunal the equity of our demands for higher wages and im- proved environments, we propose that the issues eliminating jn this strike shall be referred to you and d tribunal of your own selection, and agree to accept your award upon all or any of the ques- tions involved. If you accept this re- spohsibility and the representatives of the coal operators will signify their will ingness to have your decision incorpo- rated in an agreement for not less than one year nor more than five years. as may be mutually determined between themselves and the anthracite coal mine workers. and will pay the scale of wages which you and the tribunal appointed by you shall award, we will immediately call a convention and recommend re- sumption of work upon the understanding , that the wages which shall be paid are to go in effect from the day upon which work is resumed.
 Every respectfully yours,
 JOHN MITCHELL, President of the United Mine Workers
 of America.
 JOHN FAHEY,
 THOMAS DUFFY,
 ID. D. NICHOLLS, District Presidents, United Mine Work
 CTS of America"
 Thomas Makes Statement.
 MT. Thomas, president of the Erie Rail- road, followed closely in his statement the lines laid down by President Baer He stated that the operators were doing all in their power, and with increasing suc- cess to mine coal while Mir Mitchell and his lieutenants were doing all sn thelr power to prevent it. He asked that such efforts cease or that the srare of Penn sylvania, and if necessary the powers of the United States be exerted to afford full protection to employees, and to end the reign of terror riots intimidation and murder which for months has pre- vailed in the anthracite region" In con- cluding he said
 We ask the enforcement of law ana order in the state, that we be permitted to deal witn our employees free from for efgn interference. convinced that under such conditions we can fully perform our full duty to the public. our owners and to our employees. I fully concur in the suggestion of Mr. Baer which can be pursued in case of failure to agree with our employees, but in many years of such dealing 1t has never yet been requisite to call in assistance to fairly and satis- factorily deal with our own men"
 John Msrkle, the independent coal mine operator, quoted President Roos svelt's statement at the opening of the confer ence. and said he fully endorsed the re- marks contained therein.
 Anarchy, Says MarkIe.
 T now ask you," said MT. Marklc. ito perform the duties vested In you as the President of the United States to at once squelch the anarchistic condition Of af- fairs existing in the anthracite coal re- gions by the strong arm of the militia at your command"
 He then proceeded to enumerate a list of acts of lawlessness which he said had occurred in the anthracite field and continued:
 You are asking us to deal with a set of outlaws. I can hardly conceive of such a thought. The respectable citizens of these United States will insist upon the officers prfu tn fho cff Of Pennsylvania law and order and the right to work if they so desire''
 Mir. Markle then stated that as the representative of the individual coal op- orators and of the majority of the an- thracite coal workers. including some IT, 900 men who are now working, "endeav- bring, against great odds. to relieve the public of the possibilities of coal famine" he appealed to the President if he desired anthracite coal to be placed in the market quickly to take the neces- sary steps at once and put the federal troops in the field and give to those de- siring to work proper protection at all time as well as protection for their fami- lies and homes while they work
 Do this" Mr. Markle continued, 'the citizens of the United States whom represent seem to feel that they have a right to ask this of you. and I will assure you that anthracite coal will be rapidly placed in the market to relieve the seriousness of the situation"
 Mir. Marlxle then stated that there Is a large idle class of men now in the an- racite coal fields, taking every kind of unlawful act to prevent those who desire to work to relieve the situation from doing so. and that now only 5000 national guard are in the fie-.. while the total national guard of Pennsylvania is about 1000. Concluding. he said:
 Professional Agitators.
 MT. President. a condition exists not theory in the anthracite coal fields, betfveen set of professional agitators anu their co-workers on the one side (anarchistic In their acts) and the oper- ators and a majority of the working men on the other who are endeavoring to re- lieve the seriousness of the anthracite coal situation. You. Mir. President. be-