THE SELFISHNESS OF THE CONFLICT.
[The great Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 was one of the most bitterly-contested controversies between capital and labor that this country has ever experienced. The commission appointed by President Roosevelt, at the request of both parties to the controversy, to arbitrate the questions at issue, was composed of men of ability, who aimed to render a fair and impartial award. From the view-point of this commission, there was marked selfishness displayed by both parties to the controversy. Here is one pointed expression from their reports:—] "One matter has pressed itself upon the attention of the commission, and that is the apparent lack of a sense of responsibility to the public at large manifested by both operators and mine workers, in allowing the controversy between them to go to such an extent as to entail upon millions of their fellow-citizens the cruel suffering of a fuel famine. "In the opinion of the commission, the questions involved in this controversy were not of such importance as to justify forcing upon the public, consequences so fraught with danger to the peace and good order, as well as to the well-being and comfort, of society. If neither party could have made concessions to avoid a result so serious, an arbitration would have prevented the extremity which was reached. Undoubtedly the proposition that the men who own the property and carry on the business must control it is generally true, and its maintenance is necessary to the political and economical welfare of society; but it is also true that, where a business is of such magnitude, and its physical conditions are such as to constitute a natural monopoly, it is affected with a public interest that can not be ignored by those who control it." —At Chicago, on September 29, an association was formed for the purpose of protecting employers and independent workers from strikes and strikers. This new organization is composed of some of the largest manufacturing concerns in Chicago. The "open shop" is the foundation of the new organization, which purposes to oppose strikes, boycotts, and other labor troubles in the courts. On October 24, more than one hundred and fifty associations in various parts of the United States forwarded to Chicago credentials of their delegates, who have been assigned to join in the formation of the National Federation of Employers. The object of this federation is to place the employers of the country in a position to combat the demands of labor organizations.