In the spring of 1902 there was a coal strike. The United Mine Workers called amongst a strike in the eastern Pennsylvanian coal fields. These miners that worked in the eastern Pennsylvanian mine fields demanded higher payments, safer mining conditions, and recognition of the union.
The strike is still going on from the spring of 1902, to the fall of 1902. Because these workers haven't been mining their coal and so on, a lot of business's and schools were forced to close because of the lack of coal to heat of their organizations.
Meanwhile, the leader of the mining operators, George F. Baer, wrote to an associate that the miners had mistakenly put their trust on the union and not on Christian men. Of course as you would expect, this was very insulting for the miners and did not help resolve anything whatsoever to this strike, instead it was reported in almost every single newspaper around the US.
As president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt had of course noticed this conflict. So Theodore Roosevelt decided to summon 2 representatives, 1 for each side; the miners and the owners of the company. He invited them to the White House where the 3 gentlemen would discuss this issue. In the end Theodore Roosevelt decided that this matter would be decided in court. The miners agreed seeing that they really believed for what they stood for, while the owners declined.
After this incident where the owners declined that they would settle this matter in court, Theodore Roosevelt threatened the owners of the mining fields in eastern Pennsylvania that if they would not settle this in court, Theodore Roosevelt would send federal soldiers to take control of the mines.
After Theodore Roosevelt said this, he decided to turn to J.P Morgan and securing his services, told him to go as a, “go-between”, with the mine operators.
Thanks to Theodore Roosevelt's active participation, a settlement was reached and the strike ended in March 1903. The settlement was that the miners would receive a higher payment. Unfortunately though, they were still not recognized by the union.
In the end, Theodore Roosevelt described his actions as a, “square deal”, for both sides. He was truly a hero.
