Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1902 — DEMANDS SEIZURE OF MINES. [ARTICLE]

DEMANDS SEIZURE OF MINES.

Detroit Convention Passes Drastlo Series of Resolutions. As a further indication of the stress of popular feeling on the strike question the Detroit conference has its significance end may have its influence. The object of the conference V'ns to find means oi ‘getting coal.” Melt of the various tecommendations mude look to remedies which will prevent the recurrence of a similar situation later on. The most radical plans offered, proposing that t&e government place the operation of the mine* under a receivership or assert the right of eminent domain, would themselves involve delay and probably a special session of Congress. The approval of these plans, however, conveys a hint as to the depth of popular feeling and the extent to which the public is ready to go If goaded to extreme action by the Indefinite continuance of the coal famine. The convention adopted a strong resolution calling for the seizure of the coal mines in Pennsylvania and their operation by the State in the interests of the public. The resolutions follow: “Resolved. That we respectfully petition the Goverttbr of Pennsylvania, unless the strike is speedily settled, to call for a special session of the Pennsylvania Legislature and recommend t& it the passage of a law providing for the condemnation by the State at a fair and just compensation of all the coal-carrying railroads in Pennsylvania, and of sufficient of the anthracite coal lands to enable the State to operate the anthracite coal mines so as to supply the demands of the American public, and pending the ascertainment of their value to take immediate possession of such coal mines by receivers to be appointed by the court pursuant to statute, who shall at once take possession of said mines and railroads and operate the same. “And be it further resolved. That we respectfully request the President of the United States to call a special session of the House of Representatives and recommend to it the appointment of a committee to investigate the cause and origin of the present disastrous strike and to place the blame therefor upon the responsible parties, with full power to call for all books, papers, deeds, charters, pay rolls, stock books, and other documents and testimony tending to throw light upon the present management and ownership of the coal-carrying roads and anthracite coal mines of Pennsylvania for use in litigation and other public purpose that the State of Pennsylvania or federal government may hereafter institute.” Another section of the resolutions asserts: “The government that possesses the right of eminent domain can and> should exercise that right in behalf of the people when by such exercise great publla wrong can be righted and great public suffering averted.”