Gilpin observer., 1903-01-08
Coal Strike the Event Of the
Year Of the Most Far-Reach-
ms Importance Public SEN
timent Thoroughly Aroused
Over the Controversy.
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Tho year of 1902 opened with tho as
surod certainty of the early coming Of
peace IN the Philippines and South AZ
rica, 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 Venezueia
in the matter of those same debt claims
which in the concluding day Of the year
nave 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
Tor the people of the United States sucn
vital Importance as another event. wnich
was far from being foreseen at the time.
ana which, when II came. gave at the
start little reason to suspect what its
course and conclusion would be. This
was the great strike in the anthracite
coal mines of Pennsylvania, which lasted
through the summer and fall.
It 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 its 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 was forced to take control of the
situation by acting In a manner for which
there was nothing in the constitution or
customs of the land to give justihcation.
Beyond all these things the strike was
the most pregnant event of the year. be-
cause of the way II crystallized sentiment
on the part of that great body of the
American public-the consumers-who
were concerned in 1t neither as employ
ers NOR as laborers. but who were forced.
by the teopardizing of their own inter
ests as consumers. to intervene for their
own protection.
The strike began May u. and the min
ers did not yield an inch in their resolu-
ton until they voted to return to work
Oct n, after arbitration had been ar
ranged for. The number of men involved
was 17,ooo. The price Of hard coal in New
York. where the factories were accus-
toned to no other fuel rose from $3 to
n high az $50 a ton. with often no sup
plies to be had. The demand of the min
efs was in part for higher wages, but
stiii more for a regulated and fair meth
Cd of Weighing and recording the product
of the men. by which the union. acting
a. 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
an proposals of arbitration. from what
ever source. Whether their attitude was
Dictated by desire to obtain larger hold
,tngS Of stock In a demoralized market or
to make possible permanent higher prices
for coal. or from deep antagonism to
organised labor. was matter only for
speculation on the part of outsiders.
Through the strike there has risen as
one Of the greatest among the great flg-
ures Of Americans of the day, that of
john Mitchell, the young leader of the
Agane Workers' Union. who June H. at
Indianapolis. prevented the bituminous
coaa miners from striking in sympathy.
WAo carried on the strike with less ac-
oomUanying violence than was ever
known in SO great Industrial disorganixa-
uon before. and who. despite great per-
souaa aggravation from his opponents
methods. maintained a serenity that
hsape1 not a little in the clear-sighted
lpr0gress which he made to ultimate vic.
btory. With the finding OF President
f1kOosevefts commission of arbitration
next spring will come the end as far
- Id Immediate incidents are concerned,
! of an Industrial struggle that would new
- have begun had the representatives OF
copdtal showed themselves as true to
their agreements and as intelligent in
. thsfr views as did the representatives Of
labpT.
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 inaugura-
tion Of independent government In Cuba.
The Cuban independence day. when Pres
iAent Palma took control OF the execu-
tvo once. was May co. just three days
aftAy young Alfonso attained his ma
Jos1ty ana became king Of Spain in fact.
Tie popular election had been held Dec.
q, 1891. and the electoral college had
OlS0DpR fha iQland'a nreaidant
Ths American military governor. Gen.
Lsonard Wood. lowered the. American
nag and left the island to its own re-
Soogcee.
Peace In the Philippines.
The Philippine Islands were declared
By proclamation Of the President July
4 - be in state of pence and quiet and
worthy OF the establishment OF tho civil
In place of military government. for
Wh7ch Congress had provided. With this
went proclamation Of amnesty to po-
iitical offenders and civil administration
began.
The Years Legislation.
OF national legislation during the year
there was none Of more Importance to
either the commerce or the naval power
qf the country thnn that authorizing
tlye construction OF an isthmian canal.
Aver much discussion Of the relative
merits of the Panama and the Nicara-
VsIan routes. Congress made provision
for . s20o.0oo.ooo bond issue and passed
q 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
the use of a comprehensive scheme Of
irrigation. and the creation of perma-
nent census bureau are to be noted. To
relieve the congestion OF an ever-accu-
mulating surplus, Congress removed the
last Of the war revenue taxes and passed
the largest river and harbor bill in tho
country's history-appropriati S65.o0o.-
900. A l0-cent pound tax on colored
oieomarRarine. so heavy as practically
to cut that industry in half. vas i'm
posed.
End Of the oosr War.
The Boer war was brought to an end