Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-10-14
END OF STRIKE IN SIGHT.

to President Roosevelt last evening at
the White House by Mr.. J. Pierpont
Morgan on behalf of the coal operators.
1t proposes a commission, to be ap-
pointed by the President. The arbitra-
ton plan has yet TO be submitted to the
miners. but it is asserted by those in
formed that the proposition will be
promptly accepted by them. President
Roosevelt will appoint the commission
forthwith. There is every prospect that
work in the collieries throughout the
anthracite region will be Immediately
resumed.
Following the conference at the
White House, lasting from 1915 O'Clock
till IL 40. this official statement was
made public
Mr.. J. Pierpont Morgan came to
Washington with his partner, Mr..
Bacon, at the request of the coal com
panies, 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, it is now
given to the press.
TO THE PUBLIC.
The managers of the different coal
properties comprising the anthracite coal
fields, wish their position in the present
strike TO be understood, and therefore
make the following statement of facts:
There are in the anthracite regions
about seventy-fve operating companies
and firms, and 147, 900 miners and
workmen (of which 10000 are under
age), comprising some twenty nationali-
ties and dialects.
Of these workmen possibly one-half
belong to the United Mine Workers
Union. of which Mr.. John Mitchell is
president. That organization was origin
ally formed in the bituminous coal
region, and three-fourths of its members
are miners of bituminous coal, and BIZ
luminous coal is sold in active compe-
tition with anthracite coal. The re-
naming workmen in the anthracite
fields either belong to no union what
ever, 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 organiza-
ton, were working in and about the
mines. From II, 900 to 20, 600 are now
at work. Many more have wished to
work, but have been prevented by a
course of violence and intimidation
toward those working, and toward their
families, accompanied by the destruc-
ton 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 show
ing some of the things done to create
this reign of terror, and every instance
stated can be verified by reference to
the Off ,rs of the law-civil and mill
tary-in the anthracite region. This
violence has continued and steadily in
creased, Notwithstanding repeated dis
avowals by Mr.. Mitchell, and it is clear
that he either cannot or will not pre-
vent it, and that the rights of the other
workmen 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 ha:
been able to stand if the capital invest
ed is to have any reasonable return
The profits have been small, several Of
the companies have become bankrup
and have been reorganized several times
Several have never paid dividends, ant
the dividends of the Others have been
small return forthe capital invested. l
is not. however, the purpose OF this state
ment to discuss this question. The un
dersigned are not, and never have been
unwilling TO submit all questions be
tween them and their workmen TO an,
fair tribunal for decision. They are no
willing to enter into arbitration with tn
mine workers union, an organization
chiefly composed OF men IN rival am
competitive interest, and they are no
willing 10 make any arrangement whicI
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 opportunit
to work in safety and without persona
insult or bodily harm to themselves 0
their families. For these reasons tn
arbitrations heretofore proposed hay
been declined.
1t will be remembered that at the cor
. ference in Washington October "
made the following offer: That we woul
}. take up at each colliery any alleged grie'
ance, and in the event of a failure
make satisfactory adjustment, the que
, tions at issue to be submitted to the flint
decision of the judges of the Court
Common Pleas of the district in whic
the colliery is located. The offer wi
=, made by us in good faith, and we desi
here to reaffirm it.
- The coal companies realize that Il
urgent public need of coal and the a.