St. Paul daily globe., 1891-04-29
THEY WON'T STRIKE.
The Executive Board of United
Mine Workers So Decide.


Mine Workers So Decide.
COLUMBUS, O., April 2S.-The na-
tional executive board of the United
Mine Workers of America concluded a
session of several days this morning
and adjourned. The meeting was
called to hear statements from the pres
idents of state miners organizations
relative to the proposed strike on May
for the enforcement of the eight-hour
labor day. The reports were almost
unanimous against the movement, varl-
Gus reasons being given why they could
not enter upon strike at this time.
The result of the conference was the
following address to the United Mine
Workers OF America:
Fellow Miners: From the time that min
ing became an industry of importance with
i'll the boundary of the United States, the
question of shortening 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 indus
try, both with regard to geogra phical loca-
ton and diversity of thought and opinion
en- ertalned by the divers classes of people
seeking employment within our trade, rem
dered II impossible to unite the miners OF the
country in one solid phalanX for any given
object OF reform. But by the natural law of
evol%hon, and by practice and exercise of
manly patience, and by suppression of
personal prejudice on the part of
The miners Of the country during the
past two Year,, I'VE had arrived at the stage in
organization at our last annual convention
when every friend of the miners throughout
the whole land believed that this great re-
form, viz: eight hours, was within our easy
grasp. and steps were taken by resolution
and otherwise to insugurate the system.
Since that time the world has been startled
by one Of the most
Awe-Inspiring Strikes
in the annals of our trade The coke
workers of the Conneilsvile region for the
past twelve weeks have been the participants
in battle waged by organized capital against
organized labor. which can only be termed
the CORY precursor of the seemingly inevita-
BILE strife between the two forces in a
general ana more comprehensive man
ner While the men, women and chill
dren of this region have been the
victims of the she-iff's writs and his deputies
WincheSreTs, ard while they sTe now threst-
ened W:tsi the Still more coWardly and still
mora interruptions methods of the dastardly
PluEer;cus.it has been the dutyof ;he United
Mine Workers to render 10 those people
all the financial assistance possible and COM
patlble with the laws of our organization.
therefore II is unnecessary that we should say
that The funds which under otaer ciTcum-
st5nCes womb have been available for our
pul pose or the first of May have been very
materially reduced. Iu word, the time, at
tent!on and finances of our organization
have h4sn diverted TO a channel which, ri
tha hme OF our aEnusl convention, was
slmos wholly uEe1pec,ed. When the late
PIttsburg convention WAS held it was
ordered there that if necessary 10 review the
situation previous to the ist of May, the dis
trict residents should be called together
With the national executive board to consult
as to the proper course TO Ee adopted and
we now learn that there has been, within the
competitive district, detection on the part
of the disorganized miners of various sec
uons, and as 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 with full and complete knowledge OF
the situation, TO jeopaIdiZe those interests
and Will not be responsible or the accom-
panying sufferings and sacrifices os a strike
TO our constituents nd taeiT families. seeing
es we do the aforementioned situation and
knowing as we do that thousands of YAM
plres and vul.ures (for that is their proper
name) are waiting now for The first of May,
so that they may feed, as it were, on ths Sacri-
fees of the organized miners of the country.
We appreciate fully the boldness of this step,
we realize thc disappointment to 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 to make an honor
able retreat. we take the latter
course, and if it can be called a retreat we
prefer it rather than to have the malecictiOns
OF our people after they have suffered for
keeping back the truth from them, and have
determined at the present time TO continue
the fight i'll the coke region with all our might
and vigor. We have, therefore, passed the
following resolution, and submit it TO you
with all candor, humility and respect:
Resolved, That the eight-hour movement
be deferred for the time being. and that the
time for action be left in the hands of the ra-
tional eXecutiH e board and the presidents of
son, John Kal.e, james White, NJ. j. Goings.
j. Paisley w. C. Pearce p Wise, j. Nugent,
P. McBryde. W. c. Webb, j. B. Rae, II. Nc.
Laughlr.
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 to
a victory.