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During the late summer, the coal miners in Pennsylvania went on a strike for 8 hour work days and a 20% increase of wages. Their strike which started in October and went on past May, raising the price of coal. As winter was approaching, Many people were scared of a cold winter since coal was a main heat source.
For months, the coal miners went on strike, refusing to go back to work until their demands were met. Finally, in order to avert a national catastrophe, Teddy Roosevelt intervened by threatening to use military power. On October 23, 1902, the miners returned to work after both sides had reached an agreement. Ultimately, the laborers won 10% increase in pay and a concomitant reduction in the number of hours worked each day.
In this political cartoon, the President is seen as a hero for absolving the differences between the coal miners and their employers. The laborers are seen in the crowd. This shows that even though Teddy Roosevelt never fully was immersed into this dispute, but because of his urging for action, he was seen as the hero that brought the people back their coal.