Coal mine strike ends

After 23 weeks on strike, 147,000 coal miners in the anthracite region returned to work.

The strike began May 12, 1902, over the unwillingness of coal mine owners to negotiate with the United Mine Workers union — led by John Mitchell — about wage increases and shorter hours.

Through the efforts of Mitchell, President Theodore Roosevelt, banker J.P. Morgan, Secretary of War Elihu Root and Labor Commissioner Carroll Wright, an agreement was reached with the mine owners to form a commission that would hear evidence from both groups.

Roosevelt met with the members of the commission to start the process. The commission members were scheduled to arrive in Scranton the following day.

Throughout the city, all the mines were up and running once again, except for the Oxford Colliery in West Scranton, operated by the People's Coal Co. When the returning workers arrived there, only 20 men and 10 boys were reinstated. A spokesman for the company said some might be allowed back the next day but most would never work at the Oxford again.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.