Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-09

parties Immediately set to work to pre-
pare statements in reply to the Presi-
dents suggestions.
MR. MITCHELLS PROPOSITION.
Upon tho completion Of the Presidents
remarks Mr.. Mitchell made a statement as
follows:
MIR President. I am much impressed
with what you say. I am much impressed
with the gravity of the situation. We feel
that we are not responsible for this terri
Bile state of affairs We are willing to
meet the gentlemen representing the coal
operators to try to adjust our differences
among ourselves. If we cannot adjust
them that way Mr.. President we are will
ing that you shall name a tribunal who
shall determine the issues that have re-
suited in the strike and if the gentlemen
representing the operators will accept the
award or decision of such a tribunal. the
miners will willingly accept it, even II it
Is against their claims"
The President:
Before considering what ought to be
done, think it only just to both of you
both sides-and desirable from any stand
point. that you should have time to CON
slider what ] have stated as to the rea-
sons for my getting you together, and
shall trespass far upon your good
nature as to ask that this interview cease
now and that you come back at o'clock
should like you to think over what !
have stated-not to decide now, but give it
careful thought and return at o'clock.
THE SECOND CONFERENCE.
The conference then adjourned until 3
o'clock Upon reassembling Mr.. Baer
! spoke as follows:
"Mr President do we understand you
correctly that we will be expected to ans
wer the proposion submitted by MIR Mitch
ell this morning.
The President: ut will be pleasure to
me to hear any answer that you are will
| ing to make
| Mr.. Baer: II have prepared an answer
The following Is the text Of the sew
| eral statements:
To the President of the United States:
We understand your anxiety as forci-
bly, expressed in the statement you read
| to US this morning to bring about AN
immediate resumption of operations in
the coal mines in some such way as
| will without a days unnecessary delay
meet the crying needs of the people.
| we infer that you desired us to con-
| slider the offer of Mr.. Mitchell verbally
| made this morning expressing anu
| speaking for the United Mine Workers
| to go back to work, If you would ap-
point a commission to determine the
| questions at issue.
| STATEMENT OF MR.. BAER.
Statement by Mr.. George f. Baer,
president of the Reading railroad:
You distinctly say that you do not
| invite a discussion of your respective
claims and positions But we assume
that staDmen. of what Is going on
in the coal regions will not be irreveiaN.
| We represent the owners OF coal mines
in Pennsylvania. There are from fifteen
to twenty thousand men at work mining
ri
saulted, injured and mal-treated by the
United Mine Workers. They can only
work under the protection Of armed
guards Thousands of other workmen
are deferred from working by the in
tmidation. violence and crimes inaug-
urated by the United Mine Workes, over
whom John Mitchell, whom you invited
to meet you. is chief.
| | need not picture the daily crimes
| committed by the members OF this or
| ganzation. The domestic tranquility
which every minute declares Is the CHIEF
| object of government does not exist in
| the coal regions. There is a terrible reign
| of lawlessness and crime there. only the
lives and property of the members of the
| secret oath bound order which declared
that the locals should have full power
to suspend operations at colieries' until
the nom union men Joined their order. arc
safe Every effort is made to prevent thu
ellis men dynamite bridges and tracks,
mob trainmen and by all manner OF
violence try to prevent its shipment TO
| relieve the public.
The constitution Of Pennsylvania guar
antees protection to life and property.
In express terms II declares the right
of acquiring possessiong and defending
property "to be in alenable." When riot
and anarchy. too great to be appeascd
by civil power occur, the governor of
| Pennsylvania is bound to call out the
State troops to suppress it. He must
fearlessly use the whole power of the
State to protect life and property and
to establish peace-not an armed truce,
but the peace of the law which protects
every man at work and going to anu
from work. He has sent troops to the
coal regions Gradually the power of tn,
law is asserting itself Unless encouraged
by false hopes order will soon be re-
stored and the men can mine coal II
meet the public wants. If the power O.
PENNSYLVANIA is insufficient TO re-estab-
ish the reign of law the constitution of
the United States requires the Presi-
dent when required by the Legislature
and governor ito suppress domestic vio-
lonce." You see there is a lawful way
to secure coal for the public.
The duty of the hour Is not to waste
time negotiating with the fomenters OF
this anarchy and insolent defiance OF
law, but to do as was done in the Wal
of the Rebellion, restore the majesty OF
law. the only guardian of a free people
and to re-establish order and peace al
any cost.
The government is a contemplate fab.
ure If 1t can only protect the lives and
property, and secure the comfort of the
people by compromising with the viola
tors of the law and the instigators OF
violence and crime.
Just now 1t Is more important to teach
ignorant men. dwelling among us. mis-
led as tools by citizens of other States
that al whatever cost and inconvenience
to the public, Pennsylvania will use tho
whole power OF government to protect
not only the man who wants to work
but his wife and children while he il
at work. and to punish every man who
by instieation or by overt acts attempt.
to deprive any man OF his liberty I,
, work.
Under these conditions, we decline I,
accept Mr. Mitchclrs considerate offer u
let our men work on terms he names
He has no right to come from Illinois t.
dictate terms. on the acceptance O
which anarchy and crime shall cease il
Pennsylvania. He must stop his people
from killing, manning and abusing Penn
sylvania citizens and from destroying
property. lie must stop it because it II
unlawful and not because of any bar
gain with us.
We will add to our offer "to continue
the wages existing at the time of tn
strike and to take up at each collier.
and adjust any grievance" this furthe