The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-20

rocks that arc In sight. That decision
goes right to the vitals Of what the United
Mine Workers and the operators are at
issue. and that is the full recognition OF
the union.
-For that. and for that over and above
everything else. the union is and has been
contending since the strike OF 1900 was
inaugurated. The miners may boast as
much as they like about the virtual recog-
milton of the union by the operators sub
hitting to the presentation of the two sides
of the controversy to the strike commission
created by the President, Their leaders
are no more satisfied with that than they
were with the increase in wages, notice
of which was posted at the mines through
political pressure in the last Presidential
campaign.
-They will be satisfied with nothing
short Of complete and unqualified reoog-
milton of their union. No arbitration
boards which do not include that will ever
satisfy them. They regard the present
status as a mere makeshift to tide over
things until they can get ready for the big
struggle which is yet to come and in which
that will be the central and pivotal issue.
Probably il the leaders among the mine
workers could have things az they wish
that struggle would be deferred until the
termination in 1905 Of the strike commits
sion compact. Personally do not believe
they will be able to control the situation
that long.
Petty strikes have been going on all
over the region, and the union leaders have
had to strain their influence to the utmost
to suppress them. Over the discharge
Of men by a mine superintendent or over
some other Of the many points Of contention
there is liable to be break at any moment
which the union cannot control.
THAT is what I mean when say that
we are living over volcano. The ginmill
keepers and the demagogue politicians
are constantly on the alert to take ad
vantage of such an event and egg on the
men to strike and. after the strike has
come, to violence.
$50 far as the business mon in the coal
country are concerned they are utterly
cowed. and am among them. The union
dominates everybody and everything. To
| tell you the truth, the situation here is
61LikHy uClls dAu " GAL udtCo lAoIi lUtV'
Il have had labor leaders come here to
me in my Office and tell me they didn
want this and wouldn't have that, men
who had no more authority over me or my
business than I have over the Bank of
England. They have not only told me
I must do this and that, but they have
threat ened that II l did not do 1t they would
boycott me and gut my establishment and
throw it into the street.
$50 far as discipline among the men
working in the mines is concerned there
is none, except among miners who know
the wrong of things as they now are, and
do not approve of it. OF course, the open
insolence to those in authority is largely
confined to boys and young fellows who
are naturally unruly. But, except as
their union leaders tell them the men do
pretty much as they please.
| very likely men connected with the
mining companies would deny this. Very
likely they would tell you that ladies could
60 as visitors to the mines. the way they
once did. without running the risk o! hear
ing insulting remarks directed to them.
Yet 1t Is within my own personal experience
that a mine superintendent has advised
against letting lady visit the mine under
his charge for that very reason.
1The entire morale Of the miners has
visibly and strikingly deteriorated. and the
change for the worse in that particular,
and in various other particulars, dates from
the strike Of 1900.
.Now, the state Of affairs that exists in
the coal regions to-day cannot continue.
It must come to an end some time, and
many here, and among them. feel that
that time is not far distant.
Il don't know what the coal companies
are doing to get ready for the crash, but
business men up this way are getting ready
for 1t to the best Of their ability. And
the miners, too. are getting ready for it.
Some Of them, instead Of paying back
store bills incurred in last years strike,
are only making part and small payments,
while they are putting away their money
to meet tho struggle which all here feel
Is In the air and inevitable