2023 - M/J - 9489/11 | Q1

Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question.

Source A

A cartoon about the coal strike, published in an Ohio newspaper, 1902.
‘Arbitration’ is where an independent person makes an official judgement in a dispute.
‘Operators’ are the owners of the coal mines.

Source B

The present strike was declared by the Mine Workers’ Union on 10 May 1902. Many of our workmen who do not belong to, or are not willing to obey, that organisation are trying to work in our mines. They are content to work. Many more wish to work but are prevented by violence and intimidation towards them and their families. This is often accompanied by destruction of their property and a fear of death or bodily harm. A reign of terror has been created against those who wish to work. The coal companies believe that the wages paid to their men are fair and all that their businesses can afford. To survive, their capital has to have a reasonable return. Profits have been small and several companies have become bankrupt recently. We are prepared to accept arbitration, but the Mine Workers’ Union is not.

Statement by the operators of the coal mines, May 1902.

Source C

The miners’ leaders have destroyed any opportunity for arbitration and this means there will be no peace in the coal mines. President Roosevelt has attempted to intervene. We accept his right to create a commission to try and end the dispute, but not one which could dictate the terms of a settlement. This is not only illegal but also unconstitutional. This and his other actions, not specified by the Constitution, challenge the very principles upon which this country is based. He argues that this refusal to work by some miners creates a crisis which entitles him to act in a way which no president has done except in time of war. The Constitution guarantees our freedoms, one of which is the right of a man to work. The operators and the miners have the right to negotiate freely without interference from anyone. That is what our forefathers fought for.

From a magazine article titled ‘The Operators’ side of the Great Strike’, September 1902.

Source D

Very much the most important action I took as regards labour had nothing to do with legislation. It was my executive action which was technically illegal and not required by the Constitution. I believe that occasionally great national crises arise which call for immediate and vigorous presidential action. It is the duty of the president to act as he is the steward of the people. He is compelled to assume that he has the legal right to do whatever the real needs of the people demand, unless the Constitution or the laws expressly forbid him to do it. In the 1902 coal strike, which would have led to a national disaster in the coming winter, the big coal operators refused to negotiate or concede. They were determined to break the strike by force if needed. While they agreed to accept my Commission, they took an extreme individualistic view of their property rights, knowing that the miners’ suffering was great. They believed that I had no constitutional power to act in this matter.

From President Roosevelt’s autobiography, published in 1913.

Answer both parts of the question with reference to the sources.