The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-01
HINGES on RECOGNITION.
Position of Union Miners on Strike
Settlement.

New York, Oct. IA special to the
Tribune from Wilkesbarre, Pa, says:
1--WE want recognition or nothing,
| said Henry Thomas of the press COM
nittee of the United Mine Workers
council here, when asked if the men of
this region would accept a settlement
which did not include a recognition OF
the union. His views were Endorsed by
several other leaders, and they roundly
denounced the stories that President
Mitchell would not resent the operators
ignoring the union if an official offer of
settlement was made. They represent
48 900 striking miners of the Wyoming
district, and they say that the 2S,OOO IN
the Lackawanna district feel as they
do. They do not believe the strike VIII
be settled as soon as anticipated, be-
cause the men of the upper coal field
are not willing to accept any ten per
cent increase. The tie-up in this field IS
complete with the exception of the west
end NINE and the strikers feel that II
the operators are as eager to settle the
strike as they seem to be, the union can
get more than ten per cent.
The miners ask what the union IS Tor
if its officers are not to represent them
and work for them. If they do not OBJ
tain recognition their power IS gone Tor
they can never be sure that the actions
of all the men will be for the good or the
organization and they declare that with
out organization the companies can 90
strikers place no faith in the promises
Of the operators, each to receive his own
men when there are any grievances, TOT,
although the men might be allowed to
discuss their complaints, the operators
would not, unless they desired, grant
anything Then the miners would be
helpless; whereas, by an organization
they could enforce their demands, as
they are doing now. The men say it
would be the worst policy to allow the
union to be ignored, and they do not
intend to permit it.
report that the strike is to be declared
off at the big mass meetig to be held
here on Tuesday and say there Is no
truth in it. They declare that President
Mitchell has no power to settle the
strike alone, and that the question must
come up before a convention OF dele
gates, who will pass upon the proposals
No call has been issued for any such
convention, and if one is called 1t Will
take two or three days to get the dele
gates together.
Whatever the feeling OF the lower re-
gion men may be the men of this dis
trict are unanimously in favor Of hold
liz out for recognition of the union and
a greater increase than 10sper cent. The
strike is only two weeks old, they have
not got over the novelty of it, nor nave
they been called upon to give aid to any
of the members The strike fund Is
large and they can remain on strike,
they say all the winter without expert
encing any great difficulty.
The individual operators will get the
worst end of the deal if the strike
should be declared Off and the men ac-
cept a 10 per cent increase, because they
cannot afford it so we'll as the big COM
panies which are closely affiliated with
the coal carrying roads. These big com
panies can reduce their price of hauling,
which would cause them to lose little,
and they could also increase the price
of coal while the individual operator
would have to be satisfied with what he
could get, which might not be even an
increase in his selling price to the big
operators and railroad companies.
The demonstration on Tuesday VIII be
the largest ever held in this city. TWEEN
ty thousand miners are expected in the
line Of march, and the whole district will
be represented. President Mitchell will
be here with his staff of speakers
Mother" Jones is expected and Father
Ducey has been invited. The parade will
be in six divisions. and will be followed
by addresses at West Side park The
town will be decorated, and several
bands viii be IN line