The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-11

coal strike in any way. We have not
forgotten our experiences on former
occasion. There had been in existence
from 1885 an agreement with the men
in our employ providing for the set
tlement, in an amicable way, of all
differences that arose by arbitration.
This was the result of local strike
lasting three months in 1885. In 1887
notwithstanding the existence of this
contract for arbitration, the men de-
liberately broke their agreement and
went on strike, which lasted six
months. Yet we re-established the
arbitration agreement after it was
over and went on.
I'm 1897 there was n widespread
strike in the Lehigh legion, but our
men stood by their agreement and
never lost days work. In 1900 John
Mitchell appeared and began a cam
paign on our property. Our employees
presented list of grievances, and
replied to them, and suggested that II
our answers were not satisfactory
they could demand arbitration under
the existing agreement.
Mr.. Mitchell distinctly opposed any
arbitration, asserting that we were in
sincere. Father Phillips, well
known priest of Hazleton, of his own
volition, urged the men to abide by
their compact, and suggested Arch
bishop Ryan, Of Philadelphia, as the
third arbitrator. Mr.. Mitchell opposed
all of this, saying that 1T was a bluff
A meeting of our employees was held
to which Mitchell came unsolicited,
and made speech. He asked me
publicly If / would abide by the ar
bitrators' verdict, and when I said we
would, he turned to the audience and
pleaded with them, nevertheless, to
go upon a strike. Father Phillips and
l followed him, urging the men to
stand by their agreement for arbitra-
tiOn, and the men refused to follow
MitchelPs lead.
"Then came round of threats, in
timidation and violence. Almost daily
rioting parties of several hundred
men appeared upon our property, led
by Mitchells lieutenants, in the vain
effort to compel out men to break their
agreement. They began a reign of ter
ror, which finally resulted in the en-
ployes breaking their compact and
throwing the projected arbitration to
the winds.
Marcus A. Hanna came into the dis
pute and secured some concessions.
The strike ended and it was heralded
as triumph for Mitchell. Work was
resumed under these conditions on Oct.
20, 1900. The result has been the es-
tablishment of every kind of trades
union in the coal district. From that
time there have been innumerable
strikes. Mitchell has become a demi-
god and alone Is obeyed, so that all
ordinary and usual means of discipline
are practically disregarded.
with this history before us, am
sure no reasonable man will ask us to
engage in any arbitration with Mr..
Mitchell or his immediate followers"
Seconded by Fowler.
President Fowler, of the New York.
Ontario & Western Railroad company,
said today:
"The strike will end when the men
come back Of their own accord and on
the terms on which they worked be-
fore the outbreak of the strike. In no
other manner can this strike be ended.
We will brook no outside interference
Of whatever nature, political, humani-
tartan or of any other origin When
the men go back it will be at the wages
and on the conditions obtaining last
spring. After they have returned we
will take up any grievances with our