New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-19
Mr.. cLErELAyD AVID TEE coal srRIKE

1t is matter Of common knowledge that the
business interests which have been so osten-
tatiously dissatisfied with President Roosevelt
at one time had, and perhaps still have, hopes
Of securing Mr.. Cleveland as a candidate TO op-
pose him. The fnanciers and their organs
who have been bitterest in denouncing the Presi-
dent for his Interference IN the coal strike
| and representing him on that account as the
patron Of agitators and lawbreakers have open
" talked Of Mr.. Cleveland as the conservative
business protecting, Constitution regarding,
safe" man who should be nominated against
! Mr.. Roosevelt His dispatch OF United States
troops TO the scene OF the Chicago railroad
! strike has been dwelt on admiringly in contrast
/ with President RoOsevelts encouragement Of
anarchy" IN using his influence 20 compose
/ dispute which brought suffering 10 innocent
thousands when be had no legal authority IN
/ the premises as the violation OF no federal law
/ was involved. Il makes no difference that
there IS no parallel between the relations OF one
President to the railroad strike and the others
relations TO the coal strike. 1t happens that the
! praisewortly action Of President Cleveland IN
the one case exactly suited the fnanciers con-
cerned, while the equally praiseworthy action
| Of President Roosevelt IN the other case did not
suit them at all Hence these tears.
Rather than yield anything to the strikers, the
! operators were willing on the edge OF winter 10
! risk freezing a nation TO death, and they are
angry at n President who brought TO bear upon
/ them public opinion and compelled them 70 con-
slider the innocent third parties. The workmen
may have been unreasonable; they may have
been disorderly; the Governor OF Pennsylvania
may have failed 70 give proper protection to the
companies, but the upshot Of the dispute was
shortage OF coal and no matter who was stead
fast for the right or who stubborn in the wrong,
public necessity demanded some break OF the
deadlock The President had no power He
simply made a request. And that request was
recognized by the companies, even though they
disliked Il. as so reasonable. so much in line
with public necessity, 50 much IN harmony
with public opinion, that IL had to be needed.
Otherwise they would have refused. But they
have looked with longing eyes toward Mr..
Cleveland ever since.
What now must be their disappointment?
Mr.. Francis z. Leupp. IN his sketch Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt. Just published, tells about the
coal strike arbitration, OF which he had lnowl-
edge at first hand. lie shows that TO this
reckless" "lawless 'anarchistic" act OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt the safe, conservative Mr.. Cleve-
land was an accessory before the fact Presi-
dent Roosevelt wanted Mr.. Cleveland to be one
OF the arbitrators, and he was prevented from
being one only because the operators. whose
friends now look upon him as their peculiar
champion. would not submit their case 10 his
Judgment Mr.. Leupp who himself suggested
the arbitration plan 10 the President, and knows
what he is talking about, relates this incident:
When Il came 70 selecting the military engi-
neer the President exerted himself TO the utmost
10 induce the withdrawal OF this demand and the
substitution OF the single name OF Grover C1evs-