Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-04-29
THEY WON'T STRIKE
TIE ACTION OF UNITED NINE WORKERS AS
ISOLATION.
Thsy Prefer an Honorable Retreat Rather Than Pre-
cipiiaie Their Fellow Workmsn Into Hopeless
Couiesi-Ths War in the Connellsyills
Region 70 Be Carried On.

| COLUMBUS, O., April 2S.-l ne NdtiOu
al Executive Board Of the United Mine
| Workers of America, concluded seS
sion Of several days this morning and
adjourned
The meeting was called to hear state
ments from the Presidents Of State
miners organizations relative 10 the pro-
posed strike on Nav /, for the enforce
ment Of the eight-hour labor day. The
reports were almost unanimous against
the movement, various reasons being
given why they coIld not enter upon a
strike at this time. The result Of the
conference was the following address to
the United Mine Workers Of Amer
ica:-
"FErLow MINERS:-From the time
that mining became an industry OF I'M
portance within the boundary OF the
United States OF America, the question
OF shortening the hours Of labor has ex-
ercised the minds OF the thinking men
OF our trade.
Circumstances brought about by the
exceptionally peculiar position OF our
Industry, both with regard 20 geograph-
zeal location and diversity of thought
and opinion entertained by the divers
classes of people seeking employment
within our trade, rendered it impossible
20 unite the miners Of the country in
one solid phalanx for any given object
of reform. But by the natural law OF
evolution. and by practice and exer-
else of manly patience, and by sup
preston of personal prejudice on the
part of the miners OF the country dur
ing the past two years, we had arrived
40 the stage In organization at our last
annual convention when every friend
of the miuerS throughout the whole
land believed that this great reform,
viz. Eight hours was within our easy
grasp and steps were taken, by reSolu-
zion and otherwise, 10 inaugurate the
system.
Since that time the world has been
startled by one the most awe-iuSpiring
strikes in the annals of our trade. The
coke workers of the Connellsyille re-
giOus for the past twelve weeks have
been the participants in battle waged
by organized capital against organized
labor. which can only be termed the
rorv precursor of the seemingly inevlt-
able strife between the two forces In
general and more comprehensive man
ner. While the meu, women and chill
dren of this region have been the VIC
Tins OF the Sherif'S writS and his depu-
ties WincheSterS, aud while they are
now threatened with the still more
cowardly and still more unScrupulouS
methods OF the daStardly PinkertonS, 1t
has been the duty OF the United Mine
Workers. 20 render 10 those people all
the financial assistance possible and
compatible with the laws of our or
gauizatiOn. Therefore. 10 is unnecessary
that We should say that the funds which
under other circumstances would have
been available FOR our purpose on the
first OF May, have been very materially
reduced. In a word, the time. atten-
tiOn and finances of our organization
have been diverted TO channel which
at the time Of our annual convention
was almost wholly unexpected.
When the late PittSburg convention
was held 10 was ordered there that II
necessary 10 review the situation pre-
yious TO the first OF May the district
presidents should bee called, together
with the National Executive Board TO
consult as 20 the proper course 10 be
adopted, and We now learn that there
has been within the competitive district
a detection on the part of the diSorgan-
~f., nd -
the cuStodianS of the interests OF the
people who have placed us in the posi-
tionS which We occupy, we positively,
though reluctantly, refuse, with
our eyes open, and full
and complete knowledge OF the
situation, TO ieOpardize those in
terests and will not be responsible for
the accompanying SufTerngS aud Sacri-
fees of strike 20 our constituents and
their families. Seeing as we do the
above mentioned situation, and know
Ing as we do that thousands OF vampires
and vultures for that is their proper
namel are waiting for the first OF May,
So that they may feed, As il were, on
the sacrifices OF the organized miners Of
the country. We appreciate fully the
bolduesS OF this step; we realize the
disappointment 20 thousands OF our
friends, but realizing that discretion IS
the better part Of valor, and that the
good general. rather than lead his
army headlong TO disaster, prefers
20 make an honorable retreat, take
the latter course, and II IL
can DE called retreat. we prefer il
rather 20 have the maledictions OF our
people after they have suffered for keep
/ ing back the truth from them, and have
determined 40 the present time to con-
tinue the fight I'm the coke region with
an our might and vigor. We have,
therefore, passed the following resolu-
tion, and submit il 10 you with all can
dor. humility and respect;
RcSolrcd, That the eight-hOur move
ment be deferred for the time being and
that the time for action be left in the
hands OF the National Executive Board
and the Presidents Of the various dis
trictS
/ j. p. Jones. W. B. Wilson, John Kane,
John White. NJ. j. Goiuge, j. Paisley,
W. &. Pearce. j. Wise, !. Nugent, >. 7.
Mcbride. W V. Webb, j. B. Rae, H..
Mclaughlin.
The Executive Board also makes an
appeal to local assemblies and local
unions for aid for the coke workers,
whose battle, they say, must be fought
10 a victory.