Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-03
THE STRIKING MINERS
REVIEWED BY MITCHELL.
MARCH THROUGH STREETS
OF WILKESBARRE.
UNIQUE BANNERS IN LINE.
FLOATS REPRESENTING THE COAL
BARONS AND THE COAL
MINERS.
The Former Represented as Busy
Drinking Champagne and the Lat
ter Eating Bread With Water to
Wash 1t DOvn-President Mitchell
Greatly Pleased-N0 Sign of q
Break in the strikers Ranks.

WILKESBARRE, Pa, October g.
The parade and mass meeting of the
striking miners held in this city to-
day was the greatest labor demonstra-
ton ever held in Northeastern Penn
sylvania. The weather was favorable
for large turnout, the sun shining
brightly all day. 1t was more like a
day in June than in October.
Early in the morning the steam and
electric roads began hauling people
into the city and many thousands
came by foot from the nearby towns.
The buildings along the route of parade
were decorated with flags and bunt-
ing and the city presented holiday
appearance.
President Mitchell and party arrived
from Hazleton shortly after / o'clock
and were met at the depot by large
and enthusiastic crowd. The visitors
were given cheer and were then
driven to their hotel.
The parade headed by President
Mitchell and the officers Of the national
executive board. started little after 2
o'clock and it required an hour and
twenty minutes to pass given point.
1t is estimated that there were fully
$4,000 men and boys in line. The boys
constitute the working force in the
breakers They were only small part
of the procession. The great bulk Of
rule they were all we'll dressed and
some of them might be taken for body
of we'll fed farmers. They did not
march with military precision. but were
dense mass Of humanity. They walk
ed six, five and four abreast. The mu-
sic was furnished by about forty bands
of music and drum corps.
There were many baners of various
designs carried by the men.
Among the most unique were these:
I'VE want our dinner pals filled
with substantial food, not coal barons
taffy."
1--WE are fighting a cause that is just
and right
Stand by President Mitchell and
the Union"
Our union must be recognized"
1--WE will no longer be slaves"
''2240 pounds for ton"
I'VE want two weeks pay"
The breaker boys carried banners
which read:
I'VE need schooling, but must
work"
Save us from the whims of the
sheriff and deputies"
Down with oppression; we will
stand by Mitchell"
The parade passed over the principal
streets and thousands lined the side
walks. Here and there an enthusiastic
admirer of President Mitchell would
break through the lines and insist on
shaking hands with him. One of the
features of the big procession was a
brass band from Nanticoke, the mem
bers of which were dressed in overalls.
They played excellent music. The
Pittston locals had a float with four
men representing coal barons. They
were dressed accordingly and were busy
bringing champagne. Directly follow
ing was float with dust begrimed min
ers dining on bread and water A
stretcher was carried containing a
dummy, representing miner who had
just lost his life in the mines while in
the discharge OF his duty.
When President Mitchell reviewed
the great army of marchers on the river
common, he seemed to be very proud
man. He was generously appiauded by
the marchers. Bushes was at stand
still in the city all afternoon.
1t was after 4 o'clock when the last
of the marchers swept past President
Mitchell. Then he and his colleagues
were driven to West Side Park, where
the big mass meeting was held. For
several hours a crowu had been gath
ering there, and 1t was estimated that
nearly 10000 persons were massed in
front of the stand when the labor pres
ident began to speak. The reception
he received from the vast crowd was
most enthusiastic one.
President Mitchell in his speech.
congratulated the strikers on having
already received a proffer of ten per
cent. increase in wages He said their
cause had been recognized everywhere
as a righteous one and the time was
not far distant when they would re-
ceive proper compensation for their
labor. He advised them to stand to-
gether firmly. He said the strike shall
not be ended by him, and could only
be closed when convention of miners
representing every union and every
Continued On Third Page.