Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-10-14
A SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT.


The announcement that the anthra-
cite coal operators have, at last. agreed
to refer the differences between them
and their employees to a commission
70 be appointed by the President OF thI
United states. has been received with
great satisfaction throughout the coun-
try. II is perhaps little premature
10 consider the matter as In a certain
way of settlement. The miners, ana
particularly the United Mine Workers
union. have 10 be heard from, and ther
consent TO abide by the decisions thhI
may be rendered by the proposed com
,nission. has yet to be obtained MI
Mitchell, the president of that unior'
It appears has not the authority 10
decide on this question, but VIII have TO
consult with the union In convention
before an agreement as to the commits
sion can be reached
That there are two sides to this ques-
ton, In common with all other contro-
versies, IS made more than ever dis
tlnct by the statement that has come
from the operators. This ought to be
carefully read by the people who
are interested In the dispute that
has already not only caused so
much sufferlngs and deprivation
IN the coal regions Of Pennsylvania, but
excitement in almost every part OF the
land. 1t is the first definite and official
presentation Of the operators side of
the controversy, with which they have
condescended to enlIghten the general
public.
One Of the difficulties in the way Of a
settlement Of existing troubles IL the
disposition on the part Of the Mine
Workers union 10 ignore the rights OF
non-union miners, and OF many of It's
members to interfere by violence With
those rights. The operators state that
they are not discriminating against the
union mine-workers, but they Insist
that the miners union shall not dis
criminate against or refuse to work
with non-unlon men. According to the
reports that have come to the press
from the seat OF the disturbances, the
union workers have not only refused to
labor with non union men, but when
the latter have attempted to 90 to work
while the strike was in process, they
have been brutally assailed by the
strikers, so that the protection Of the
police and the sodlery has had to be
invoked to save their lives.
II is against this kind OF
procedure on the part of many
OF the unionists, that the rational peo-
pie Of the United States Of an classes
Indignantly protest. It is that which
creates a prejudice against unions IN
general. II must be put down. The
liberty of every workingman must be
secured. Employers ought not to re-
fuse to give work to members of la
Dor unions because Of their member
ship. nor should union people attempt
to prevent non-unlon workers from OBJ
tanning an honest livelihood. Every act
OF violence to prevent or suppress the
freedom OF labor, is an obstacle placed
by themselves In the way Of the labor
unions of the land. It win be seen
whether the United Mine Workers
union of Pennsylvania will agree TO
this reasonable condition, imposed by
the operators who are now willing to
arbitrate.
Another difficulty in the way OF the
desired settlement Is the requirement
that as soon as the commission is APP
pointed, "the miners will return TO
work, and cease all interference with
and persecution Of non-union men who
are working or shall hereafter work, ="
The proposition appears to us perfect
ly reasonable. il also seems the very
best thing the strikers can do. They ex-
pressed themselves as willing to submit
the differences in dispute to fair arbl-
tration. Now that this is made posi-
BILE. they ought TO return to their work
and permit all other laborers to be em-
ployed, pending the decision that shall
be rendered by the proposed c9mmis-
zion. If they refuse TO do this. they
gill appear In an unfayorable light be-
fore the people OF the country, and win
lose to a very great extent that SYM
pathy which has been felt FOR them In
their desperate struggle with combined
capital.
II must be clear 10 every unbiased
thInksr, that II employers may COM
bine for mutual advantage and to de-
tide upon rates and hours and wages
10 regulate labor, their employees have
an equal right to unite fer the purpose
~ maintaining and improving their
temporal condition, and to decide as TO
how many hours per day they VIII
work and for what remuneration. In
lie own sphere. a labor union Is to be
recognized as legal association Just
as much as Is an organization Of cap
llal
The superciliousness with which or
rsnized wealth looks down upon and
refuses 10 treat with organized labor,
IL repellant to the American mind and
creates contempt in the soul OF the
masses. There are some reasons. how
ever. for the refusal heretofore OF the
coal barons to treat with the Mine
workers union, which are now given 10
The public and which deserve calm con-
sideration. These ought TO be weighed