The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-14

Washington, Oct. 14.-Secretary Cortel-
you last night made public the following
statement:
JP. Morgan came to Washington with
his partner, Mr.. Bacon, at the request or
the coal companies. who desired, that as
matter Of courtesy their statement
should be shown to the president before
it was made public. Having been laid
before the president by Mr.. Morgan, 1t
is now given to the press:
The Operators Statement.
."To the Public: The managers of the
I.different coal properties comprising the
anthracite coal fields wish their position
in the present strike to be understood,
and therefore make the following state
ment of facts:
There are in the anthracite regions
about seventy-fve operating companies
and firms and 147, 900 miners and work.
men (of which 10000 are under age),
comprising some twenty nationalities and
| dialects.
"Of these. workmen possibly ,one-half
| belong to the United Mine Workers
| union, of which John Mitchell is presi-
| dent. That organization was originally
| formed in the bituminous coal region and
| three-fourths of it's members are miners
| of bituminous coal, and bituminous coal
| is sold in active competition with anthra-
cite coal. The remaining Workmen in the
anthracite fields either: belong to no union
whatever or do not belong to the mine
workers union.
"The present strike was declared by
! the mine workers union on the 10th day
| Of May, 1902. Since that time many
workmen not belonging to or not willing
| to follow that organization were work.
| ing about the mines. From seven to ten
! thousand are now at work. Many more
have wished to work. but have been pre-
tod 1xyo oF H.,
| tinidation toward those working and to-
ward their families, accompanied by the
destruction Of properties and the fear of
| death or bodily harm to every man who
wishes to exercise his right to work.
| "A schedule is annexed hereto showing
| some of the things done to create this
reign Of terror, and every instance stated
can be verified by reference to the Off
| GERS of the law-civl and mllitary-in the
| anthracite region. This violence has con-
| tinued and steadily increased notwith-
standing repeated disavowals by Mr..
MITCHELL and it. is clear that he either
cannot or will not prevent it, and that
| the rights of the other worknen cannot
be protected under the supremacy of the
mine workers. union.
| THE coal companies believe that the
wages paid in the coal regions are fair
and full, and all that the business in it's
normal condition has been able to stand if
the capital invested is to have any rea-
sonable return. The profits have been
small, several Of the companies have be-
come bankrupt and have been reorganized
several times. Several have never paid
| dividends and the dividends of the others
have been small return for the capital
| invested. It is not, however, the purpose
of this statement to discuss this question
The undersigned are not and never have
been unwilling to submit all questions be-
oyo1 hoie %<o e.
tribunal for decision They are not will
ing to enter into arbitration with the
mine workers union, an organization
| chiefly composed. Of men in a rival and
competitive interest, and they are not
| willing to make any arrangement which
| will not secure to the men now working
and all now or hereafter wishing to work,
whether they belong to the mine workers
| union or not, the right and opportunity to
| work in safety and without personal in
suit or bodily harm to themselves or
their families. For these reasons the ar
bitrations heretofore proposed have been
declined.
The Original Offer.
1T will be remembered that the the con
ference In Washington, Oct. 8, we made
the following offer:
THAT we would take up at each col
liery any alleged grievance, and in the
event of a failure to make satisfactory
adjustment the questions at issue to be
submitted to the final decision of the
judges Of the court of common pleas Oh
the district in which the colliery is 10.
Gated. This offer was made by us il
good faith and we desire here to reaffirrr
it. ..-"' 80 .,E' go
"The coal companies realize that the
urgent public need Of coal and the ap
prehension Of an inadequate supply fol
the approachin winter, calls for an earn
est effort to reach practical conclusion
which will result in an Increased suppl,
| and the presidents Of the companies de
sire to make every effort to that enc
which does not involve the abandonment
Of the interests committed to their car,
and of the men who are working ant
seeking to work in their mines. This re
spons1bility they must bear and meet a.
best they can. -... q, &. q, -; .sz. .-.,zsN : . .
'They therefore restate their position
That they are not discriminating agains
the United Mine Workers, but they insis
that there shall be no restriction or deteri
Grafton in quantity quality Of work
and that owing to the varying physica
IL conditions Of the anthracite mines eacl
colliery: is a problem itself. r .s,
y Arbitration Commission.
eve suggest a commission to be ap
pointed by the President. Of the Unite,
States (if he is willing to perform tina
va whom ha1 ha reforre