United States. Anthracite Coal Strike Commission

Speech delivered by William H. Taft

Secretary of War Taft discusses the “misuse and abuse” that has led to the concentration of capital “in the hands of the comparatively few,” and the demand of the public for legislation to restrain, regulate, and supervise “the exercise of the mighty means of good and evil which organized capital has proven to be.” Taft stresses, however, it is important to keep in mind that wealth used as capital for the production of goods and services is essential to the life and comfort of the people, and without it, the country would not have prospered. Taft provides a history of government involvement in regulating “organized capital” through legislation and discusses present efforts to expand the rights of laborers.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-29

Letter from Daniel Edgar Sickles to Theodore Roosevelt

Daniel Edgar Sickles encloses a letter he wrote to General Wilson about the coal strike. Sickles believes that President Roosevelt may find this letter useful if he plans to address workers’ rights and wages in his speech accepting the nomination.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-08-16

Interesting contribution to history

A private letter from Henry Loomis Nelson to George Brinton McClellan Harvey, appearing in Harper’s Weekly, recounts the misunderstanding between former president Grover Cleveland and President Roosevelt regarding Cleveland’s involvement with the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08

Address of President Roosevelt at Sioux Falls, South Dakota April 6, 1903, The wage-worker and the tiller of the soil

President Roosevelt speaks about “The wage-worker and the tiller of the soil” to a crowd in Sioux Falls. He speaks about the modern problems of farmers, stock growers, and soil tillers as well as problems between “employer and employed.” He links the well-being of the state with the well-being of farmers, and also of the needs of those classes in light of industrial changes.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-06

Memorandum from Carroll D. Wright to Theodore Roosevelt

Commissioner of Labor Wright summarizes the events of the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-19

Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson to Theodore Roosevelt

Jams Sullivan Clarkson has been trying to protect President Roosevelt’s time by dissuading David M. Parry from meeting with him regarding the controversy in the Post Office and by encouraging Roosevelt to decline an invitation to a banquet of international insurance men. Clarkson remarks that the financial panic seems to have passed, the Democrats wish to nominate Judge Gray, the death of Judge Long was a serious matter, and that General Batcheller is in the country and can give Roosevelt valuable information about diplomatic and commercial matters in Egypt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-29

Pretty story, but untrue

Though President Roosevelt has been accused of withholding Grover Cleveland’s name as chairman of the Coal Strike Arbitration Board, that is a libelous accusation not supported by the facts. In fact, Roosevelt greatly desired Cleveland’s involvement, for he believed that the cooperation of the current President and an ex-President would have a weighty impact on the citizenry, especially since the two leaders would be “separated in political faith but united in one effort for the common welfare.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-24

Letter from Elihu Root to Theodore Roosevelt

After reading an article from the Evening Post, Secretary of War Root details how the article is misinformed regarding his involvement in appointing a commission for arbitration between the coal operators and the miners. Root met and discussed options with J. Pierpont Morgan and together they drafted an agreement for arbitration. Appointing specific men eventually resulted in agreements between both sides, with the exception of an appointment for Grover Cleveland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-06-29

Judge Gray; a recent task of his

Biographical information on George Gray which highlights his recent work on the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05

Letter from George Gray to Theodore Roosevelt

On behalf of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission, Chairman Gray expresses appreciation at President Roosevelt’s invitation to dinner after the completion of their work. However, due to the nature of their work, Gray does not expect them to be finished for fifteen to twenty days.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-02-27

Statement from the managers of the anthracite coal fields

The managers of the anthracite coal fields claim the strike led by the United Mine Workers of America is violent in nature and refuse to enter into arbitration with the union. The managers are willing to follow the decisions of a Presidential commission should one be appointed but insist that the miners return to work during the commission’s investigation. The owners argue that they have small profits and that the non-union miners have the right to work in spite of opposition by the union. The owners claim they want to start back before winter and they recommend the type of men on the commission. Two copies.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-01

Memorandum requested by Mr. Cortelyou

This memorandum requested by George B. Cortelyou discusses the qualification of Charles Ridgely to sit on the arbitration commission over the coal strike. Ridgely was the owner of Consolidated Coal Company and had a good relationship with miners. They now ask him for advice, even though he no longer has any connections to the company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Letter from Albert Shaw to John Mitchell

Albert Shaw encourages John Mitchell to accept President Roosevelt’s proposal, saying it would be in the best interests of the United Mine Workers and the general public.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902

Letter from T. B. Connery to Theodore Roosevelt

T. B. Connery suggests that President Roosevelt request that John L. Spalding be appointed by the Pope to the see of Chicago. Roosevelt previously appointed Spalding to the Coal Strike Commission. Connery believes that Pope Leo XIII would grant the request, as he did when American politicians recommended Dr. Burke as Bishop of Albany.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-28

Letter from John M. Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt

John M. Wilson is serving with the Anthracite Coal Commission and has been conducting interviews with witnesses for the miners. They have already heard over 80 and had considered ending the repetition, but decided against it. Wilson thanks President Roosevelt for his courtesy in writing him regarding a recent occurrence at the Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-11

Letter from James Jeffrey Roche to Theodore Roosevelt

James Jeffrey Roche congratulates President Roosevelt on the settlement of the Anthracite Coal Strike and his selection of Edward A. Moseley for the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-11-03

Memorandum of a telephone conversation with Senator Quay and his secretary, Mr. Wright

George B. Cortelyou summarizes a telephone conversation with Senator Quay regarding the appointment of a commission to help end the Anthracite Coal Strike. Quay is still working out his differences with the Civil Service Commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-14

Telegram from Edgar E. Clark to George B. Cortelyou

Edgar E. Clark will attend the meeting of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission scheduled for next Friday.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-21

Telegram from John Mitchell and W. B. Wilson to Theodore Roosevelt

The striking coal miners agree to submit their issues to the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission and will return to work on Thursday, October 23. They have named John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America, as their representative to the commission. Three copies of the telegram.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-21

Letter from John M. Wilson to George B. Cortelyou

John M. Wilson will be present at the meeting of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission on October 24.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-21