The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-29
OPPOSED TO JOHN BURNS
Colonel Rend Objects to the Labor
Leaders, Methods.
SOME SENSATIONAL REMARKS
The Joint Conference of Operators and
Miners at Pittsburg Characterized by
Lively Speeches - MIR. McBride's
Gloomy View of the Situation.
By the United Press.


Plttsburg, Pa, Dec. 2S.-The opening
session of the joint conference of the
operators and miners of the Pittsburg
railroad coal district was marked by
several sensational utterances in which
John Burns, NJ. p the great commoner
of England came in for stirring re-
buke, delivered in stentorian tones by
Colonel w. p. Rend the well known
coal operator, of Chicago, and owner of
several mines in the Pittsburg district.
The other feature was plain but forci-
bile statement of the situation in Pitts
burg mining circles as presented by
John Mcbride, president of the United
Mine workers, and president-elect of
the American Federation of Labor, in
which he openly avowed that the con-
ditions today were worse than prior to
the general strike.
Mr.. Chapman, of the Standard Coal
company was chosen to preside. Chair
man Chapman suggested that John
Burns, who was yet in the lobby, should
be invited to a seat in the convention
When motion to this effect was made
Colonel Rend arose and said:
Mr.. Chairman, object to the cour-
teses of this convention being extended
to Mr.. Burns, who is here for the dou-
BILE purpose of discussing labor matters
and also slandering and villifying
American Institutions Mr.. Burns is a
stranger in America; it is therefore be-
fitting that he shall observe the decen-
oies and proprieties of the position he
nppnnilC rhnGa npnnriatiac ha 70
stantly violated by his malignant at
tacks upon our institutions. l would
advise that Mr. Burns return to the
country from which he came and criti-
else the customs, manners and institu-
tions of his own land, which he will
find infinitely more deserving of his
criticism and abuse than anything he
can find here. | know it is the custom
for "blarsted Britishers' to indulge in
improprieties similar to those against
which l protest in the case of Mr.
Burns. 1t is about time for American
manhood to resent the offensive con-
duct of these men. | have no objection
whatever to listening to the views Of
Mr.. Burns upon labor matters, or So
GEOLOGY. My protest is simply directed
against a glaring abuse that has be-
come in this country intolerable."
Chairman Chapman Confused.
AS Colonel Rend resumed his seat
there was an unbroken silence. Mr..
Burns who stood and listened
all the time moved just a lit
tie from studied position he
had assumed at the beginning.
Chairman Chapman, just a trife con-
fused, arose and put the motion to seat
Mr.. Burns. 1t was carried, there being
but one dissenting voice. Colonel Rend
had voted No" Not having a voice
in the convention Mr.. Burns had to
remain silent.
Colonel Rend again secured posses
sion of the floor and for half an hour
addressed the meeting, telling the story
of the dispute between miners and
operators and the causes leading to the
differences. Then followed President
John Mcbride with his address.
The committee of operators and
miners was appointed and the conven-
tion adjourned at noon.