Evening journal., 1903-09-01
DAWN OF PEACE
SAYS JUDGE GRAY
CONTINUED from First Pass.)

do not and cannot see each other as much
as they did in former conditions. The
human relations grow fainter. Arbitration
tends to bring them together, to bridge
the chasm, to restore the human touch.
Parted With Mutual Good Will.
my experience as an arbitrator in two
disputes confirms me On this opinion. The
arbitration in the anthracite region was
conducted openly. The whole interested
public looked on and heard. and the
parties on each side, embittered by the
contest, had to pass the challenge Of pub
lie opinion. Four months of contention
in she mode sanctioned by the habit of
the English-spealSing people resulted in
an orderly and intelligent, though strenu-
Gus discussion, conducted with all the
amenities that obtain in the most civil
lied tribunals. And / believe that both
sides parted from the other with mutual
respect and good will. enhanced by ex-
perience OF their respective contentious
before a disinterested tribunal. The
same is true Of the late arbitration in
Alabama. The hearings were public
conducted with decorum and all the
amenities that belong to civilized con-
tentions, with the full understanding that
whatever differences had been exploited
on one side or the other, both would
cheerfully accept the decision and judg-
ment of their chosen arbitrators. The
open and public proceedings, where a full
opportunity was given for every conten-
tion on each side ITO be urged. had a salu-
tary educational effect on both miners
and operators.
Praises President Roosevelt.
IT do not believe in compulsory arbi-
tratlon. That would not be arbitration
at ALL
Il have no hesitation In saying that the
President of the United States was con-
fronted in October, 1902 by the existence
OF crisis more grave and threatening
than any that has occurred since the
Civil War. I mean that the closing of the
mines in the anthracite coal country
brought about by the dispute between
the miners and those who controlled the
greatest natural monopoly in this coun-
try, had brought upon more than half OF
the American people a condition of de-
privation Of one Of the necessaries of life
and the threatened continuance OF the
dispute threatened, not only the comfort
and health, but the safety and good order
Of the nation. He was without legal or
constitutional power to interfere but his
position as President of the United States
gave him an influence. a leadership as
irst citizen Of the Republic that enabled
him to appeal to the patriotism and good
sense OF the parties to the controversy.
and to place upon them the moral coer-
sion of public opinion to agree to an arbi-
trament OF the strike then existing and
threatening consequences so direful to the
whole country. He acted promptly and
courageously. and in so doing averted
the dangers to which 1 have alluded.
Averted Serious Crisis.
80 far from interfering or infringing
upon property rights. the Presidents ac-
ton tended to conserve them. The Pc
culiar situation. as regards the anthra-
cite coal interests was that they con-
trolled the greatest natural monopoly Of
product necessary to the comfort and
to the very life of large portion Of the
people. A prolonged deprivation of the
enjoyment of this necessary Of life would
have tended to precipitate an attack upon
property rights. for, after all. It Is vain
to deny that this property. so peculiar in
Its conditions, and whlA is properly
spoken of as a natural monopoly, IS af-
fected with a public interest
II do not think that any President ever
acted more wisely. courageously OF
promptly in a national crisis. Mr.. Roose-
velt deserves unstinted praise for what
he Hid"