The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-28
The New York Illness Discovery.

Amusement, II not instruction, was az
forded to a limited extent Yesterday by
the severity with which the Neu York
Times condemned the Hon. THEODORE
ROOSEVELT for exceeding his consti-
tutional duties and interfering in the
coal strike last autumn.
Our often amusing neighbor has now
discovered that this interference is one
of the things which have led many peo-
pie to regard Mr.. ROOSEVELT az an I'M
safe man in the White House. 1t is one
of the sources Of what the Times de-
scribes as the widespread and not di-
minishing distrust and fear Of him among
the business men Of the country, particu-
larly those business men who are charged
with the management Of its larger in
terests' We quote part of our neigh
Dor rebuke. administered with gravity
denoting a full consciousness OF the
weight Of its words:
Two things conspicuous in our recent industrial
history have led them TO look upon him a. an unsafe
man. Ono Is his interference in the anthracite
strike. Tho report Of the Commission makes II
strike attended by a good deal Of lswlcssness. and
there Is TO believe that II nearing It's end
when the President, in . most unusual and senss-
tionAl manner. took tho matter In hand
He was criticised then, and he has been crn-
cised ever since. Nhappens that the whole country
is one vast turmoil Of labor disturbance. We have
never had many strikes and threats Of strikes, so
many walkouts and lockouts. nor such vast num-
Der of demands many of them anoge thcr unreason-
able. made upon employers by the employed. and
made. too. with an arrogance exceedingly trying.
even 70 patient men.
whether II be true or not that the Presidents
interference In the anthracite strike has ged
this outbreak II fact that be isln large measure
held responsible for II. 1t Il largely believed that
labor has taken It's cue from the President
Mr.. ROOSEVELT was criticised then,
but, unfortunately for the impression
which our neighbours present rebuke
will make upon his mind and conscience,
he was not then criticised by the New
York Times. On the contrary, in Octo-
Der last be was implored in it's most SOL
emn fashion to interfere in the anthracite
strike, and when he did interfere he was
applauded in the most elaborate periods
which the Times was able to construct
for tho occasion.
For example, on October 2, under the
caption The Presidents Good Offices, y
the Times commended the proposed in
reference in this language:
"Tbeinvitatlon OF President ROOSEVELT to Messrs.
BAHR. TRuxspALH. THOMAS. FOWLER and MITCHELL
coal supply. which has become matter of vital
Germ 10 tho whole nation. Is dscreetly wordcd. and
tbe. gentlemen named cannot very well decline Il.
Tho subject for consideration Is one con
ceInins which the President Is warranted In asking
for the views OF any one having knowledge Of the
facts. Those invited 10 the White House
should 20 10 all frankness and good will and render
the President the best help they can in discussing
how IN intolerable condition may be remedied,"
The next day and on the following days
the Times repeated its expressions OF
approval and joy over the Presidents
Interference. When the first conference
under Presidential auspices proved fruit
less, 1t urged Mr.. ROOSEVELT to further
interference:
President ROOSEVELT having failed 70 pUtolr
the object OF his conference. the SITUATE Is vs'h'y
more grave and threatening than beftfc 30 ms
now take further action to meet the Ie sii,y
he has assumed
That was on October 5. On October Q
the Times repeated its demand for inter-
ference by President ROOSEVELT, and
again on October 4. On October it ap-
pealed especially to JOHN MITCHELL
pointing out TO him the very great advan-
tages of joining in an attempt to carry
out the plan of the President And on
October II, when the unconstitutional
Commission had been established by Mr.
ROOSEVELT. and the miners executive
officers had accepted the same, the Times