This Week in History

October 3, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt met with miners and coalfield operators from the anthracite coal mines in Pennsylvania in an attempt to settle a then five-month strike. The nation relied on coal to fuel commerce and industry, and anthracite, known as hard coal, was essential for domestic heating. Miners were demanding wage increases, a shorter workday and union recognition. Winter was approaching, public anxiety was high.

Roosevelt was the first president to intervene in a labor dispute. He insisted both sides work to resolve their differences and urged the miners to return to work. The president of the United Miners of America agreed to negotiate, Coalfield operators reiterated their opposition to the miners demands generally, and to the union specifically, resisting dealing with the workers’ union representatives. Seeing a possible national catastrophe, Roosevelt said he would send in military forces to operate the mines. Finally, on October 23, 1902, mining resumed. The miners got a ten percent wage increase and a nine-hour workday. The union did not do well; was not recognized. Issues not addressed: child labor and hazardous working conditions.

Source(s): Library of Congress

Compiled by Bob Valen