Anthracite Coal Strike (Pennsylvania : 1902)

Louis B. Livingston examines why President Theodore Roosevelt chose retired general John McAllister Schofield to command the troops needed to seize coal mines during the anthracite coal strike of 1902. Livingston chronicles Schofield’s military service, and he details his command of troops during five labor disputes during the late nineteenth century. Livingston contends that Roosevelt was drawn to Schofield’s exemplary record, his support of Army reforms, and the restraint he showed during previous strikes. Livingston suggests that Roosevelt’s threat to seize the mines moved the parties, the mine owners and the United Mine Workers, to accept arbitration. Livingston also explores other aspects of the strike negotiations such as Roosevelt’s poor relationship with General Nelson Appleton Miles and the degree to which Roosevelt kept his plans to seize the mines if necessary a secret. 

Four illustrations and a photograph supplement the text.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

President Roosevelt describes his negotiations with the representatives of the owners of the coal mines and with John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers during the 1902 coal strike. Roosevelt informs Winthrop Murray Crane that the stubborn position of the owners was threatening to unleash violence, and he describes how the make up of the commission designed to negotiate a settlement was finally agreed upon by both parties. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1902-10-22

The article outlines the previously unknown ways that ex-President Grover Cleveland aided President Roosevelt in mediating the Anthracite Coal Strike. In response to accusations that Roosevelt exceeded his powers as president, the writer of the article discloses that Cleveland wrote to Roosevelt in support of his actions and offered to chair the commission that would mediate an end to the strike. Cleveland ultimately was not chosen because the coal mine operators objected.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-15

The writer of the article criticizes certain covert attacks made by President Roosevelt’s opponents on his actions in antitrust prosecutions, in particular Roosevelt’s unilateral actions to end the anthracite coal strike and the successful suit against the Northern Securities Company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-10

President Roosevelt acknowledges Senator Lodge’s letter and comments on his progress in finding a solution to the Anthracite Coal Strike. Many parties want Roosevelt to take drastic action on one side or the other, sending in troops, bringing legal action, or seizing property, all of which is impossible. He continues to seek a solution without taking steps that would cause violent repercussions.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-10-07

President Roosevelt describes to Senator Lodge the difficulties he has had in negotiating the composition of the commission to examine the Anthracite Coal Strike. The mine operators did not want a representative of labor included. Roosevelt discovered the importance of labeling and perception, however, in that they would protest his appointment of Bishop John Lancaster Spalding as “eminent sociologist” and the addition of a representative of labor, yet they would happily accept the representative of labor being labeled an “eminent sociologist” and the addition of Bishop Spalding.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-10-17

George B. Cortelyou updates Senator Lodge on the situation regarding the Anthracite Coal Strike. On October 6, Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor, went to Philadelphia with a message from President Roosevelt for John Mitchell. If Mitchell will direct the miners to return to work in the mines, Roosevelt will appoint a commission to investigate all issues between the mine operators and miners, and will try to obtain a settlement in accordance with the findings of the commission. There has not been a reply to this proposal yet.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-10-07

President Roosevelt tells Senator Lodge that after a second operation his leg seems to be recovering after his recent carriage accident. Roosevelt then reports on the situation with the Anthracite Coal Strike and his discussions with various parties. He plans to invite the mine operators to come speak with him in three or four days, requesting a good faith effort to come to an agreement with the miners. He will also meet with representatives from the coal miners at some point.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-09-30

President Roosevelt writes to Senator Lodge regarding the Anthracite Coal Strike, noting that at present he has not been able to find any methods that would allow the national government to influence the strike. Roosevelt compares the tariff and the strike by saying that in either case, if people are not able to get the goods they need, they will blame the government. Roosevelt explains in the postscript that he is done making tours for the year, and will not make more speeches until after the election.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-09-27

President Roosevelt is relieved that the coal strike is settled and reports that the bone was hurt by the accident, but his leg is healing.

Collection

Massachusetts Historical Society

Creation Date

1902-10-28

President Roosevelt has emerged from the Anthracite Coal Strike with the confidence of the people and the respect of businessmen. He can clearly get things done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Grover Cleveland is writing an article about Alton B. Parker for McClure Magazine, and President Roosevelt would like Charles J. Bonaparte to write the corresponding article about himself. Roosevelt encloses a letter that Cleveland sent him regarding the Anthracite Coal Strike.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-17

Third draft of a letter with handwritten edits. President Roosevelt formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination. He then reviews several campaign issues and the achievements of his administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-15

Speech given by President Roosevelt in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in dialogue with “The President of the Senate” and “The Speaker of the Lower House of the Pennsylvania Legislature.” Roosevelt thanks the officials for their greeting and discusses how the economic success of Pennsylvania rests with wage workers and the Anthracite Strike Commission. Speech contains numerous handwritten edits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-01

Film celebrating Theodore Roosevelt’s achievements as President of the United States. It was produced by the Roosevelt Memorial Association with Caroline Gentry, Director of Films, and Mae V. Manning, Film Editor. Contains a collection of still images and video footage following Theodore Roosevelt from his assumption of the presidency after the assassination of President McKinley through his 1905 inauguration. Includes sections on fighting the trusts, the anthracite coal strike of 1902, Roosevelt’s conservation efforts, the creation of the Roosevelt Dam, the handling of the Russo-Japanese War, and the creation of the Panama canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound

Creation Date

Unknown

President Roosevelt thanks Anna Roosevelt Cowles for sending a recent photo of her son, William Sheffield Cowles Jr. Edith Roosevelt is going back to Sagamore Hill shortly to look after the children and prepare for the permanent move to the White House. Roosevelt will miss her, especially while he continues to recover from his leg injury, but he has more pressing matters that require his attention, such as the coal strike.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1902-10-13

President Roosevelt describes his recent experience with the coal strike. He shares his opinions about how the political machines and the corporate interests operate in a different world from the majority of people in the country. Roosevelt chose to interfere in the strike to protect the masses, and he hopes it will be over soon.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1902-10-16

In his speech, Theodore Roosevelt discusses his record with labor and the Adamson Law. Roosevelt makes a comparison of his own handling of the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike with President Woodrow Wilson’s more recent dealings with labor. The speech also mentions major leaders in labor affairs, including Samuel Gompers and Mexican President Venustiano Carranza.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1916-10-14

The Anthracite Coal Strike is ongoing because the executive fears the voting power of labor and the arbitration laws in Pennsylvania are weak.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-06

Text of Rev. Minot J. Savage’s speech, “The Ethics of the Coal Strike.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-06