The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-31


bers Of Mine Workers Union Left
the Meeting.
In Mears hail. West Scranton, last
night a representative meeting OF the
employees Of the Delaware, Lackawan-
ma and Western mines was held for
the purpose of considering the advisa-
bility Of forming a mine workers
union of the men employed in and
about the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western mines OF this city and Its
vicinity.
After some discussion as to the ad-
visibility and necessity OF such a
union, 1t was decided to hold meetings
at the various collieries of that COM
pany on or before Aug. 10, reports Of
the opinions of the miners to be pre-
sented at a mass meeting to be held
in Mears' hall on Aug. 10.
There was big crowd of mine work.
ers assembled in the hall at 7.45 when
w. T. Williams, of the West Side,
called the meeting to order. He said
the object they had met for would be
stated later and suggested that the
first step to be taken was the election
of a chairman. He nominated T. T.
Morgan, a company hand at the Belle
vue mine, for that position.
Benjamin James, an organizer for
the United Mine Workers, was also
suggested for chairman, but was de-
clared to be Ineligible, for the reason
that he is not employed by the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western COM
pany. Daniel Coleman was then nomi-
mated and at this point Richard Rob-
erts arose and requested all those
present who were members OF the
United Mine Workers of America to
leave the hall and attend q meeting
which he said would be held in the
French Roof hall, on Washburn street.
LEFT THE HALL.
A large number of those present left
the hall but upwards of $50 remained
They were a representative body OF
men and their remarks during the
meeting showed that they are thought
full and earnest and conservative as
we'll. They were for the most part
men of families who have homes of
their own or are in the process of ac-
quiring homes to which they can read
their titles clear
After the withdrawal T. T. Morgan
| was elected chairman, and in assuming
the duties of that position he said they
had met to consider whether or not it
would be advisable for the mine en-
ployes of the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western company to form union.
Labor ought to receive a fair recon-
pense for its toll, Mr.. Morgan said,
| and labor and capital ought to be on
| friendly terms. 1t is to the advantage
of both to have such a condition of
affairs. Capital ought not to treat la
Dor harshly and labor ought to be
honest and fair In it's dealing with
capital.
Mr.. Morgan then went on to say
| that the officials of the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western company re-
fused to treat with the Mine Workers
union as such, but expressed a willing
ness to meet and discuss the griev-
ances of their own employees at any
time. To meet the officials in this
matter this union of the Delaware
Lackawanna and Western mine en-
ployes was proposed. He gave 1t as his
opinion that they knew their own
grievances better than anybody else
and were in better position to consid-
er and discuss them wisely than men
from the west, who know nothing
about the anthracite coal industry.
TO CALL MEETINGS.
After some general discussion it wa,
moved that meetings be called of the
employees of every Delaware. Lacka,
wanna and Western mine hereabout.
90 Ill.
views of the men with reference tC
forming such a union as was suggest
ed in the opening remarks of tht
chairman. The motion was adopted
and it was decided that these meet
ings be held on or before Aug 10
and that the reports from the meet
ings be received at another mass meet
ing to be held in Mears' hall on Aug
10.
T. C. Davis, of Taylor, who wen
through the strike of 1877, made ;
most interesting address in which h
referred to the necessity of organiza
ton, but deplored the strikes whicl
have brought hunger and want to tn
mine workers OF this region. He drew
most vivid picture of the misery tn
strike of ~ caused, and then askc,
his hearers most impressively, ID
you want to come to that again?" II
urged wisdom and thoughtfulness i
dealing with the propositions that nov
confront the mine workers hereabouts
w. T. Williams spoke at som
length about the objects of the meet
ing.
"If it is to our interests to have
union of Delaware, Lackawanna an
Western men by all means let us hav
it," said Mr.. Williams. I'VE ough
to know more about what We wan
and the way we want 1t than the me
from the soft coal regions who ar
now among us. A strike of generf
nature in the anthracite coal region
would be a serious matter, for