Teddy Roosevelt and the Coal Mine Strikes
In 1902, a strike broke out in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. About 140,000 workers demanded 20% increase in pay, reduction of work day to 9 hours, and several other improvements. Because mine owners refused to negotiate, coal supplies dwindled. This caused factories, schools, and even hospitals to shut down, especially in the winter. Roosevelt tried to solve this problem. He summoned representatives of the striking miners and the mine owners to the White House. Roosevelt was annoyed at the arrogant personalities of the mine owners. He threatened to take control of the mines and operate them with federal troops. The owners then gave in. They agreed to a 10% pay increase and a 9 hour work day.
This cartoon represents the situation with Teddy Roosevelt and the coal mines. The main on the horse represents Teddy Roosevelt, as his hat has the label "T.R." The rock in the cartoon represents the "threatened coal strike". At the bottom is a town, with houses labeled "the consumers." Roosevelt has a lasso around the rock and is preventing it from falling on the town below it. It is just how Roosevelt prevented the coal strike from hurting consumers by stopping the strike.
This cartoon represents the situation with Teddy Roosevelt and the coal mines. The main on the horse represents Teddy Roosevelt, as his hat has the label "T.R." The rock in the cartoon represents the "threatened coal strike". At the bottom is a town, with houses labeled "the consumers." Roosevelt has a lasso around the rock and is preventing it from falling on the town below it. It is just how Roosevelt prevented the coal strike from hurting consumers by stopping the strike.
01/15/13