New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-16

since the latter organization formed, but there
have been two suspensions Of mining, which in
Guided practically all of the biuminOus fields,
first occurred in 1891, when 100000 men throughout
the country idle. and after long controversy
a compromise effected and the returned to
work. The second Suspension occurred in 1881 and
AT that time 10000 men were idle. The compromise
following this period Of idleness gave the miners
an advance in wages of about u per cent. Both Of
these suspensions followed the failure of the miners
and mine adopt scale and both were
confined 10 the bituminous coal fields. OF course
the suspension proved ruinous TO the miners and
costly TO the mine owners. and both sides have
since invoked compromising spirit at the Joint
scale conferences and there is difference OF
opinion TO the wisdom Of the employers and en-
poyes discussing the question OF wages together
and fixing annual scale for the bituminous
mines
RAISING A STRIKE FUND
Until within the last year there has been no
effort the part of the mine workers organiza-
ton to raise large fund but steps were taken to
this end recently. and there is now about 100000
in the National treasury, and contributions are
coming in at the rate Of Is cents a member each
week This assessment was fixed by the meeting
of the miners in this city in January, and unless
the fund is drawn upon by reason Of a strike II
will shortly reach proportions that have never
been exceeded by the fund of any other labor
organization. In addition TO this, there is an
aggregate fund in the several treasures Of the
State organizations of about $3.50 600 and though
the purpose Of the State funds IS to provide for
exgencies that arise in the States which they
belong there is no doubt that they would be turned
over to the National Executive Board If their use
became necessary by reason of any great suspen-
sion OF work
The men who now compose the Executive Board
OF the mine workers ard who would be directly
in charge Of strike in the anthracite regions are
Edward Mckay and Benjamin James of Pennsvl-
vania; Frederick Dilcher Of Ohio: Henry Stephen
son. OF West Virginia; James Boston Of Illinois
William Farley, of Alabama; George Purcell OF
Indiana. and Joseph Pendleton of Arkansas John
Mitchell, of Illinois. is president T. L. Lewis Of
Ohio. is vice president. and w. B. Wilson of Indi-
ana secretary Of the organiza ton. While the local
members of the Board are in charge Of any trouble
that may in their districts the president ex
ercises directing power. and virtually conducts
the strike.
John Mitchell, president Of the United Mine Work
of America. IS In his thirtieth year and is the
youngest man ever TO reach such position as hs
now occupies. His mother died when he wse two
years old, and four years later his father wa 9
killed in accident in the mines and the cbiId
was left 10 the care OF friends He entered The
mines when thirteen years old and from thst time
made his own living. He connected himself with
the Knights of Labor when sixteen wears old while
working in Illinois, and has been member of tba +
organization ever since. He has worked in a Num-