Strikes and lockouts--Miners

Mining executive John Campbell Greenway sends President Roosevelt the correspondence between citizens of Bovey and Coleraine and Minnesota Governor John Albert Johnson during the recent strike of the Western Federation of Miners. Greenway believes these cities are the first to condemn the federation as “a criminal organization committed to anarchy,” to which Johnson failed to respond.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-19

On the occasion of his inauguration, the New York Times re-examines President Roosevelt’s record of the past three years, and asks, can the nation expect an even bolder Roosevelt in the years to come? Roosevelt’s policies and actions of the past three years are subjected to a critical analysis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-03-04

The Portland mine has had to close, after the military arrested many of the workers. Those arrested are union members who have refused to take working cards in the mine owners’ association.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-20

Damocles, frightened, wearing a crown labeled “Industry,” stands beneath a large sword labeled “Coal Strikes” hanging by a single thread.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Perhaps the most important detail of Keppler’s cartoon is the “S” at the end of the word Strikes. In the public’s mind, and even history’s larger assumption, the Anthracite Coal Strike was settled in the fall of 1902. Mining production had resumed and the crisis of heating homes was averted. However, contentious negotiations were still ongoing between owners, miners, and arbitrators. Random incidents of strife still occurred (there had been violent coalfield deaths during the strike), and issues similar to the Pennsylvania Anthracite mines roiled elsewhere in the United States, especially in Colorado. Keppler’s cartoon was a reminder that labor strife continued and that industry, not only homes, was a potential victim.

John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America, grasps an angry bull labeled “Coal Operators’ Combine” by the horns. The cartoonist is suggesting that the bull might get the better of him.

comments and context

Comments and Context

John Mitchell, a second-generation Irish immigrant, joined the fledgling United Mine Workers (UMW) in 1890 and by 1898 had risen to its presidency. He was in the forefront of the anthracite coal workers’ strike in Pennsylvania fields in 1902. The strike had national implications with winter approaching. The owners of the mines, largely consolidated under J. P. Morgan, stood firm again the miners’ demands for higher wages, a work week shorter than six days, and recognition of the UMW. Cartoonist Keppler’s perception was that of the public at large, and of history. President Theodore Roosevelt intervened in an unprecedented manner, acting as and appointing mediators. In the end, and largely due to Roosevelt’s intervention and resourcefulness, a general compromise was reached before winter; a 10 percent wage hike, a five-day work week, but not, for the time being, exclusive recognition of the UMW union.  

The union organizer (known in the day as a “walking delegate”) for the Pennsylvania coal miners does a song and dance on a stage for the benefit of striking coal miners. Lurking in the shadows is a man labeled “Manager Jones.” Caption: The walking delegate in his latest popular song, — “No matter what happens, I’m always on top.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Mary “Mother” Jones and her husband George had been active in labor organizing and radical politics when, in 1900, they became active in the coal fields of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She was employed for a time by the United Mine Workers, who were leaders two years subsequent to this cartoon, in the crippling strikes where President Theodore Roosevelt broke precedent and intervened, mediating between mine owners and workers. A feature of the nascent labor movement since the 1880s was the “Walking Delegate,” either a union organizer or union representative — frequently portrayed by opponents (and many cartoonists) as a corrupt, selfish, and arrogant provocateur who bilked laborers as much as fighting corporate forces. 

During the recent unrest in Goldfield, Nevada, President Roosevelt dispatched federal troops to maintain order at the request of Governor Sparks. Now that Sparks has summoned the state legislature, the troops will stay for three weeks. However, three federal officials have found after investigation that Sparks’s original action of calling for federal troops was not warranted, as it is the responsibility of Nevada to maintain the order. Troops in Nevada would have been capable of maintaining order.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-04

President Roosevelt received the letter from Governor Sparks of Nevada which makes it clear Sparks did not convene the legislature, as he believed troops were necessary for dealing with an ongoing labor conflict in Goldfield but did not think the legislature would request them from the federal government. The use of the troops under these circumstances would be against the Constitution, and the state does not appear to have made an effort to solve the issue. Roosevelt will remove the troops from Goldfield immediately unless Sparks convenes the legislature within five days of receipt of the telegram.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-12-28

President Roosevelt appreciates the work that Ervin Wardman is doing and thinks his editorial on Colorado Governor James Hamilton Peabody was fine. Roosevelt insists that the World has done him a favor in publishing extracts from his speeches.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-25

President Roosevelt directs Attorney General Moody to send a representative from the Department of Justice to Colorado to investigate the labor unrest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-25

If President Roosevelt had the power, he would intervene in the labor disputes in Colorado and “with an iron hand put down lawlessness by the Federation of Miners on one hand, or by this Citizens Alliance on the other.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-24

President Roosevelt writes that Governor James Hamilton Peabody has “sanctioned the criminal usurpation of state sovereignty by an irresponsible mob” and asks Attorney General Moody what the best course of action is. Roosevelt asks Moody to write to Secretary of the Navy Morton about the situation with C. H. Davis.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-24

President Roosevelt asks Commissioner of Labor Wright to have his agent provide a full account of the latest “mob action” in his report about the Colorado labor unrest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-22

President Roosevelt will have George B. Cortelyou help “young Garrett” however he can. The situation in Colorado is unfortunate as lawlessness has answered lawlessness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-22

President Roosevelt wonders if it is possible to investigate the matter detailed in the enclosed editorial from the Chicago Tribune. Roosevelt is uneasy about the anthracite coal strike.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-10

President Roosevelt encloses copies of his presidential speeches and addresses. He reminds Daniel Edgar Sickles how he has handled previous instances of labor unrest.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-17

President Roosevelt was very interested in Walter Wellman’s article about Colorado. Roosevelt has asked Commissioner of Labor Carroll D. Wright to investigate what is happening and would be grateful for any suggestions that Wellman has about how best to proceed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-08

Itasca County Attorney Thwing notifies Governor Johnson that a group of 200 “irresponsible strikers” pose a threat to the peace and suggests that Johnson send troops to relieve the sheriff and his deputies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Minnesota Governor Johnson sends the text of a telegram to Itasca County Sheriff Hoolihan. The telegram, from Acting President of the Western Federation of Miners Mahoney, describes several arrests made without charges and threats of violence made by sheriff’s deputies against the striking miners. Johnson requests a statement from Hoolihan about the conditions on the ground.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30

Sheriff Hoolihan informs Minnesota Governor Johnson that all arrests made have been made legally and are authorized by the county attorney who is on site.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-07-30