Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-04
The Problem Unsolved.

persuade the coal operators and the strikers
to sink their differences to avert public suf-
fsring But his failure reflects In no wise
upon his judgment in calling the confer
ence. or upon his ability in the presentation
of the peoples case. He did his full and
evident duty In a manner to win for him
the praise of the country. He succeeded at
least in concentrating the responsibility
upon the contending parties and in narrow
ing the issues between them to an appre-
ciable degree.
The net result of the conference Is offer
by the miners to submit their case to him
and a board of co-arbitrators Of his choos-
ing, and an alternative offer by the coal
operators to allow their employees. as indi-
viduals, TO submit their grievances to tho
judges of the court of common pleas in
their respective districts. But between these
two proposals still yawns the chasm which
constitutes the real issue of the coal con-
fict, the recognition of the miners in asso-
citation. namely. the union.
Although plainly apparent before, yes
terdsy's conference accumulated the incon-
sistency of the corporations which both
mine coal and transport it in the matter
OF dealing with union labor. With the ex-
ception of Mr.. Markle every coal mining in
orators is in constant communication with
at least four great labor unions. that Of
the train.nen. that of the engineers, that
Of the firemen and that of the telegraphers.
Their whole body of railroad workers are
organized and are dealt with through their
organizations. The operators seek to es-
tablish the difference between tweedledee
and tweedledum by declaring that one union
Is fit for recognition and another unfit. If
a great principle Is involved. as Mr.. Baer
has frequently declared, why is 1t not
broadly applied by the misunderstanding
companies? Why Is the public made to
suffer because in the eyes OF these corpora
tons one union Is regarded as unworthy Of
confldencef
In another regard the operators weak
ened their case yesterday by their impu-
dent demand that the President solve the
problem himself by dspatching federal
troops into Pennsylvania. No law or con-
dition exists which will permit such radi-
cal invasion OF Pennsylvania rights. If
more troops are so imperatively required.
and II more troops will guarantee the min
ing Of the full supply of coal. why have not
the corporations made the same concen-
trated demand upon the governor of Penn
sylvania? He has not yet exhausted his
asked for aid only by the sheriffs of the
counties where violence has actually
reached the point of overwhelming the
local constabulary.
The strike leader. John Mitchell, missed
the chance of his life yesterday when he
failed to guarantee the resumption of min
ing for the public veal. Had he risen in his
place IN the conference room and promised
the close of the strike, for the sake of the
people, he would have been hailed today
as having periodically met serious emer-
gency. Next spring he could. If necessary,
have resumed his efforts to secure redress
Of grievances for the miners with infinitely
better prospects for success than he had
last May, for he would have enlisted public
sympathy as never before.
The outlook is black indeed. The unyield-
ing obstinacy Of both the operators and the
strikers. as disclosed at yesterdays confer
ence. permits no present hope Of surrender
by either side. The present meager product
Of the mines is barely sufficient to supply
the city of Philadelphia. The rate Of gain
at the collieries is so slow that 1t will in
evitably be many weeks before the normal
output is reached. unless the men decide
suddenly to yield despite the attitude of
their leaders. In New England fires are al
ready needed in residences In New York
this necessity will be severely felt shortly
In this region four weeks more will bring
pinching weather. Eight weeks will precipi-
tate conditions Of the gravest danger to the
public health.
Certified miners who are willing to work
are entitled to be protected in working.
Until the state OF Pennsylvania so re-
quests. the federal government cannot enter
the commonwealth with troops The issue
therefore Is now squarely up TO Governor
Stone, who has already seriously incurred
the charge of neglect Of duty. The public
interests demand that he waive all con-
siderations of policy and ignoring the fact
that sharp political campaign Is in pro-
gress concentrate all available state troops
at the mines when requested by the county
authorities and summon the state legis!a-
ture In extra session to seek the remedy
for desperate situation. The Pennsyl-
vania legislature can apply heavy pressure
rs The Star has pointed out, both to mine
operators and to miners.
The people must have coal.
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