Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1903-01-17
Coal Strike the Event of the
Year of the Most Far-Reach-
ing Importance-Public Sem
timent Thoroughly Aroused
Over the Controversy.

sured certainty of the early coming of
peace in the Philippines and South At
RIGA, and with the date for the establish
ment of Independent government In
Cuba already determined; the Congress
of the United States was rapidly ap.
preaching the favorable determination OF
its great problem of the construction OF
an isthmian ship canal and abroad Ger
many and England were almost reaoy
for combined action against Venezueia
in the matter of those same debt claims
which in the concluding day of the year
have been the cause for a new strain II
the Interpretation of the Monroe docerlne-
But the outcome proved, not ever,
the greatest of these matters possessed
for the people of the United states such
vital Importance another event, wnich
was far from being foreseen at the tine'
and which. when it came. gave at the
start little reason to suspect what lss
course and conclusion would De. 1tns
was the great strike in the anthracite
coal mines of Pennsylvania, which lasted
through the summer and fall
1t was not merely that this was one OF
the greatest strikes in the history of the
United States for the number of men en-
gagged. the length OF it's duration and the
obstinacy with which 1T was fought; nor
was it because of the mere fact of the
Inconvenience and loss occasioned by 1t
to the public; nor yet because in securing
its settlement the President of the United
States forced to take control of the
situatio by acting in a manner for which
there was nothing in the constitution or
customs of the land to give Justification
Beyond all these things the strike was
the most pregnant event of the year, be-
cause of the way it crystallized sentiment
American pubic-the consumers-who
were concerned in it neither employ
ers nor as 1aborers. but who were forced.
by the jeopardizing of their own inter-
own protection.
The strike began May r. and the min
did not yield inch IN their resolu-
ton until they voted to return to work
Oct q, after arbitration had been
ranged for. The number of men involved
was 147. 600. The price of hard coal in New
York, where the factories were accus-
toned to other fuel, rose from 50 to
as high as $50 ton, with often sup
plies to be had. The demand of the min
ers in part for higher wages but
still more for a regulated and fair meth
cd of weighing and recording the product
of the men. by which the union, acting
an organization, could protect it's
members interests.
The mine owners. organized in the most
thorough monopoly in the country, and
represented by the presidents of the coal
carrying railroads, seemed to welcome
the strike, and contemptuously declined
all proposals of arbitration, from what
ever source. Whether their attitude was
dictated by desire to obtain larger hold
fngs of stock in 6emoralized market or
to make possible permanent higher prices
Tor coal or from i deep antagOnisn to
organized labor. was matter only for
speculation the part of outsiders.
Through the strike there has risen as
of the greatest among the great fig
ures of Americans of the day, that of
John Mitchell. the young leader of the
Mine Workers Union. who June IT. at
Indianapolis. prevented the bituminous
coal miners from striking in sympathy
who carried on the strike with less ac-
companying violence than was ever
known in great Industrial disorganfza-
ton before. and who, despite great per-
sonal aggravation from his opponents
methods. maintained a serenity that
helped not little in the clear-sighted
progress which he made to ultimate vic
tory. With the finding of President
Roosevelt's commission of arbitration
next spring will come the end, as far
its immediate incidents are concerned
of Industrial struggle that would new
er have begun had the representatives of
capital showed themselves true
their agreements and Intelligent in
their views did the representatives of
abor.
independence of Cuba.
OF the two great events of the year in
connection with the treatment by the
United States of the islands that fell
under its influence result of the
Spanish war. the first was the Inaugural
ton OF independent government in Cuba
The Cuban independence day. when Pres
fdent Palma took control of the execu-
tive Office. was May 20. just three days
after young Alfonso attained his ma
jor:ty and became king of Spain in fact.
The popular election had been held Dec
81. lsoi ana TIE electoral college had
chosen the islands president Feb 81.
The American military governor. Cen
Leonard Wood. lowered the American
flag and left the island to it's own re-
sources.
Peace in the Philippines.
The Philippine Islands We're declared
by proclamation of the President July
4. to be in a state of peace and quiet and
worthy of the establishment of the civil
in place of military government for
which Congress had provided With this
went a proclamation of amnesty to DO
Gtical offenders and civil administration
began.
The Years Legislation.
Of national legislation during the year
there was none OF more Importance to
either the commerce the naval power
of the country than that authorizing
the construction of an isthulian canal
merits of the Panama and the Nicara-
guam routes. Congress made provision
for q SEQ, eco goo bond issue and passed
law which gave President Roosevelt
the power to decide upon the route.
OF other legislation the passage of the
national irrigation act. turning over the
revenues from the national domain for
irrigation. and the crea ton of a perrna-
nent census bureau are to be noted To
relieve the congestion of ever-accu-
muiating surplus. Congress removed the
last of the war revenue taxes and passed
the largest river and harbor bill in the
country's- hfstory-appropriating S65000--
ooo- A 1o-cent pound tax on colored
olenmargarine. so heavy as practically
to cut that industry in half. was i'm
posed
End of the Boer War.
The Boer war was brought to an end
May 81 by the signing at Pretoria by