The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-01
START THOSE MINES.

1t is becoming more and more eVl-
dent each day that the business inter-
ests of this country will not much
longer submit to the outrage on the
rights of every class Of American So
ciety which is involved in the present
situation in the anthracite coal mining
industry. Steps have already been
taken which are bound to produce re-
lief in the immediate future. How ef-
fective or timely that relief will be the
event remains to show.
1t Is not possible at this time to esti-
mate the cost in money or discomfort
which is inevitable in consequence of
the trouble. 1t probably will never be
possible to estimate such cost save In
very general way. 1t is certain that
great money loss will ensue, and, in
deed, that such loss has already en-
sued to business men and household
ers alike. Whether actual suffering
will result through the scarcity or the
costliness Of the peoples fuel supply
the progress toward a settlement made
The anthracite coal mining and car
rying concerns have assumed a grave
responsibility before the country by the
attitude which they have taken. They
stand on the main proposition that no
coal will be mined unless the miners
now on strike consent to return to
work at the original terms of employ
ment. There has been some attempt
made to convince the public that the
| mines will be operated whether the
| miners now on strike return or do not.
| But there has been no attempt how
ever, that the country knows Of to car
ry such purpose into effect.
No such position can be tolerated.
| The public has some property in those
mines, as we'll as have those who oper-
ate them. If they cannot be operated
through the men who are on strike
they must be operated by others. Why
| have not the coal concerns operated
those mines through new corps of en-
ployes at any time during the past five
months, or, at any rate, within the past
few weeks? How false 1t Is to offer
the public the assurance that such a
course will be pursued, when not a
single step in that direction has been
yet taken. ~et
The coal carriers and mine owners
have the military forces of the state Of
Pennsylvania at their disposal. Why
do they not start their mines? They
have protection enough to enable them
to do so. Are they to be understood
as still standing on their original prop
osition that not a pound of coal will be
mined until the strikers accept their
terms? Are they to be understood as
determined to stand on that position
throughout the coming winter season?
And, If they are not, why do they not
get to work and provide the people
with their fuel?
This is no mere partisan attitude
which T h e Glo b e takes. The bust
ness interests of certain cities are now
considering the advisability Of appeal
ing to the courts to compel the coal
operators and carriers to discharge
their public duty. Other interests are
determined to bring the pressure of
business sentiment of the country to
bear on the coal operators. Such move
ments are no more than in their in
ception just now. But they embody in
themselves the possibilities of serious
trouble for the corporations who con-
troll the coal supply. Unless speedy
heed is given to them, T he G. b e
sees very clearly that means will be
found to mine that coal and to dis
tribute it to the consumers of the
country.
When. if ever, that stage Is reached
very different understanding Of the
relative rights of the commonwealth
and the coal operators in the coal de-
posits will be found prevailing than
that which President Baer has been
giving expression to of late.