Theodore Roosevelt and the Coal Mines
Background: On October 3, 1902 President Theodore Roosevelt met with miners and coal field operators in an attempt to settle the anthracite coal strike in Pennsylvania. Winter was drawing nearer and the country feared what would happen because its people relied on coal to power commerce and industry. As president, Roosevelt intervened and became the first to represent millions in a labor dispute. he threatened to send military forces to operate the Pennsylvania mines. The United Mine Workers of America president John Mitchell agreed to negotiate; however, operators resisted dealing with the workers' union representatives. On October 23, 1902, the miners returned to work after both sides agreed to settle the strike based on the recommendations of a commission appointed by the president. Ultimately, the miners won a ten percent increase in pay with a concomitant reduction in the number of hours worked each day. The commission failed to recommend union recognition, however, or to address the problems of child labor and hazardous working conditions. Still, for the first time the federal government acted to settle, rather than break, a strike.
Picture: President Roosevelt can be seen riding on his horse and preventing the threatened coal strike from harming the consumers on the bottom. The threatened coal strike is portrayed as a giant boulder because if the coal strike had happened, it would totally destroy the industry and the people. The country would lack electricity, transportation, and food because coal was the powerhouse for everything at the time. What is gasoline and electricity to use now, was coal to the people back then. Roosevelt's determined efforts should be noted as well, because trying to stop the strike was a risky move. One mistake and it could have been the end of his presidential career.
Picture: President Roosevelt can be seen riding on his horse and preventing the threatened coal strike from harming the consumers on the bottom. The threatened coal strike is portrayed as a giant boulder because if the coal strike had happened, it would totally destroy the industry and the people. The country would lack electricity, transportation, and food because coal was the powerhouse for everything at the time. What is gasoline and electricity to use now, was coal to the people back then. Roosevelt's determined efforts should be noted as well, because trying to stop the strike was a risky move. One mistake and it could have been the end of his presidential career.