Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1902 — STORY OF THE COAL STRIKE. [ARTICLE]

STORY OF THE COAL STRIKE.

History of the Great Struggle Between Operators and Miners. Serious grumblings came from the miners of the anthracite coal region a year ago, but not until the latter part of last April did they make their formal demand for an eight-hour day, GO cents a ton and the recognition of their union. The demand was refused, and Senator Hanna and other members of the Civic Federation succeeded in bringing about a conference between the representatives of the miners and George F. Baer of tlie Reading Railroad nnd other operators. President Mitchell told his men of the appeal he had made in New York to the coal operators, but there was no sign, he said, of any recession. He received the ultimatum from the four largest coal roads May B."‘ They all rejected The offer to submit their differences to the Board of Trade. President Mitchell issued the order for a temporary strike Friday, May !>, and Monday, May 12, about 143.000 men went out. Every man and hoy oh *yed the order and not a pound of coal was mined Monday. It was then considered and has subsequently proved to be the most remarkable tie-up in the anthracite region. Senator Hanna pleaded for n sixty-day truce, hut neither side favored his scheme. The United Mine Workers held a convention at Hazleton, I’a., Wednesday, May 14, to determine whether or not the ■trike was to be made permanent. On the second day of the session the delegates voted to continue the strike to the bitter end. About 800 men voted, and the majority was 112. The mine owners met in New York May 20 and declared “war to the unife.” The miners’ executive committee decided May 21 to keep the pumps in the mines running on the old basis until June 2, and a call was signed by six district leaders for a national convention to decide as to whether the strike should be made general in all sections. President Mitchell, on June 18, railed a national convention of United Mine Workers at Indianapolis, for early in July. The operators caused to be published a long statement giving their position, and on June 22 President Miteliell replied to them, and after contradicting nearly all of their assertions, offered to submit the differences to a board of arbitration, and said bis men would stand by the result. The operators then attacked Mitchell’s assertions and posittrely declined to arbitrate. Senator Thomas C*Plntt began an effort Sept. 1 to end the strike within two weeks. A woman was shot at Edwardsville and rioting continued. One man was killed at the Maltb.v mine. Gov. Stone came to New York Sept. 8 and held a conference with Senator Platt and several Republican leaders. Mr. Morgan ■till refused to interfere, and the operators sent another ultimatum to the miners. President Roosevelt called the mine operators and the miners’ leaders into conference at Washington and urged them in the interest of the suffering public to reach an understanding. Mr. Mitchell, for the miners, offered to submit to arbitration, but the operators refused to consent to any compromise. Suits were begun in the New York mid Pennsylvania courts looking to a receivership for the coal iniues aud carrying roads and the denunciation of tire operators became more general, thefkituution rapidly approaching a crisis. The conference between Mr. Morgan, his partner, Robert It. Bacon, Secretary Root and President Roosevelt at ’lie White House Oct. 13 was not unexpected. With it came what probably brings the end of the most remarkable labor controversy in many years.