 In 1902 , 140 @,@ 000 miners went on strike , wanting higher pay , shorter work hours , and better housing . They were led by John Mitchell , a fellow miner who formed the United Mine Workers ( UMW ) . The mining companies refused to meet the demands of the UMW and contacted the Federal Government for support . Before Roosevelt , the government would send in military support to forcefully end the strike , but during Roosevelt 's terms , this strategy was not used . After the companies called for assistance , Roosevelt , fearful of the effects a coal shortage would have on the economy of the time , decided to host a meeting in the White House involving representatives or delegates , of the miners and the leaders of the mining companies . Mitchell , after returning from the White House meeting , met with the miners , and drew a Consensus . The miners decided not to submit to political pressure , and continue on with the strike . Roosevelt then decided to bring in the military , but , instead of forcefully ending the strike and restoring power to the mining companies , he would use the military to run the mines in the " public interest " . The mining companies , upset that they were no longer directly making a profit , then accepted the demands of the UMW . This policy was later referred to as the " Square Deal " . 
