Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-01-08
Coal Strike the Event Of the
Year of the Most Far.Reach-
ing importance Public Sen
timent Thoroughly Aroused
Over the Controversy.
~~~~~

The year of 1902 opened with the as
sured certainty of the early coming OF
peace in the Philippines and South At
RIGA. and with the date for the establish
ment of an 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 ready
for combined action against Venezuela
in the matter of those same debt claims
which in the concluding day OF the year
have been the cause for a new strain III
the Interpretation of the Monroe doctrine.
But as the outcome proved, not even
the greatest OF these matters possessed
for the people of the United States such
vital Importance as another event, when
was far from being foreseen at the tlrne'
and which, when 1t came, gave at the
start little reason to suspect what lts
course and conclusion would be. This
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 or
the greatest strikes in the history OF the
United States for the number Of men en-
gagged, the length of its duration and the
obstinacy with which it was fought; nor
was 1t because of the mere fact of the
to the public; nor yet because in securing
its settlement the President of the United
States was forced to take control or the
situation by acting in n 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
on the part Of that great body of the
American pubic-the consumers-who
were concerned In it neither employ
ers nor as laborers. but who were forced,
by the jeopardizing of their own inter
ests as consumers, to intervene for their
own protection.
1t was the approach Of winter, with
coal-yards empty and the mines I'M
worked, that caused the public to lay
aside all old prejudices on one side or
the other, penetrate directly to the heart
of the problem as to which of the OPP
ponents was the one responsible for the
lack of settlement and then bring pres
sure to bear that could not be disregard
ed. Dating from the year 1902 It Is safe to
say that not even the most significant
strike will be contested without a more
real recognition of the rights of the long
suffering third party, the consumer, than
has ever been accorded before. The wide
spread sentiment that manifested itself
for government ownership of the coal
mines and the still wider demand for the
strfctest government regulation of them,
In default of ownership, are other things
to be numbered among the permanent
results of the strike.
The strike began May Il, and the min
ers did not yield an inch in their resolu-
ton until they voted to return to work
Oct q, after arbitration had been ar
ranged for. The number of men involved
was 147.0o0 The price of hard coal in New
York, where the factories were accus-
toned to no other fuel, rose from So to
as high as 500 a ton, with often no sup
plies to be had. The demand Of the min
ers was 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
as an organization, could protect its
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 a desire to obtain larger hold
ings of stock in a demoralized market or
to make possible permanent higher prices
for coal, or from deep antagonism to
organized labor, was a matter only for
speculation on the part of outsiders.
Through the strike there has risen as
one 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 &C
companying violence than was ever
known in so great industrial disorganiza-
ton before, and who, despite great per-
sonal aggravation from his opponents
helped not a little in the clear-sighted
progress which he made to ultimate VIC
tory. With the finding of President
Roosevelts commission of arbitration
next spring will come the end as far
as it's immediate incidents are concerned
of an industrial struggle that would new
err have begun had the representatives of
capital showed themselves as true to
their agreements and as intelligent in
their views as did the representatives Of
labor.
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 it's influence as a result of the
Spanish war. the first was the Inaugural
ton of independent government in Cuba.
The Cuban independence day, when Pres
ident Palma took control of the execu-
tive office, was May 20, just three days
after young Alfonso attained his ma
Jority and became king Of Spain in fact.
The popular election had been held Dec.
81, 1901, and the electoral college had
chosen the islands president Feb. "a.
The American military governor. Gen.
Leonard Wood, lowered the American
flag and left the island to its own re-
sources.
Peace in the Philippines.
The Philippine Islands were 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, fol-
which Congress had provided. With this
went a proclamation of amnesty to po-
liticai offenders and civil administration
began.
Through Gov. Taft the first American
envoy ever sent to Rome, arrangements
were made with the pope. not formally
but practically. by which the friars
lands in the Philippines shall be trans
ferred to the United States, to be resolC
to the Filipinos themselves. The Philip
pine islands were given Is per cen
reduction on the Dingley tariff rates a
the last session of Congress- and tn,
present session is considering the furthe
reduction of this so that the reduction
will be I5 per cent-that is, that only 2
pcr cent of the schedule duties need b.
paid.
The Years Legislation.
or national legislation during the yea
there was none OF more Importance 4
either the commerce or the naval powe
OF the country than that authorizing
tbe construction of an isthmian canal
After much discussion of the relativ
merits OF the Panama and the Nicara
ruan routes. Congress made provision
for 4 s2oo. 900 bond issue and passe
: law which gave President Roosevelt
,he mower 10 decide upoa the route.
or other legislation the Massage Of tn