The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-14
NO CHANGE In THE
STRIKE SITUATION

or any other land. We know the great power
Of the public press In molding public sentiment.
With an abiding faith in the justice of our
cause and a consciousness Of the knowledge that
whoever else may vlliiy and abuse US, the Great
Jehovah knows and understands the reotitude OF
our purpose. We appeal to the American people
and to the American press as the greatest
aTbitsrs on earth to assist us and sustain us in
our hour Of trial.
On behalf Of the national executive board
United Mine Workers Of America, we are
Sincerely yours.
John Mitchell. President
w. q. Wilson, Secretary.Treasurer
Busy at Headquarters.
Today was a busy one at headquar-
ters. All day long kilograms were
being received and sent out and to-
night. President Mitchell has enough
messages to fill two pigeon-holes in his
desk. What these messages contained
was not given out.
Secretary-Treasurer Wilson and his
force of clerks were kept busy answer
ing the heavy mail that comes in
touching upon strike matters, and
throughout all of the offices there was
an air of subdued excitement. FIRE.
quently the two chief executive off,
GERS of the organization were closeted
together in consultation upon some
phase of the situation brought up by
the news from lieutenants in the field.
There is practically no means of ar
irving at an estimate of the resources
of the miners available for the main
tenance of the people to be called out
by the strike. President Mitchell and
Secretary-Treasurer Wilson. the latter
the official head of the finance depart
ment of the organization, have firmly
declined to give out any figures on this
point. "It would be a simple matter for
the operators If they knew what
amount of money we command to wait
until 1t was exhausted" said Mr.. Will
son. Moreover, it would be folly on
our part to make public at this time
any information upon which an esti-
mate of our financial strength could
be based.
Strength of the Organization.
AT the close of last year there were
93134 bona-fide members in the Mine
Workers organization. At the con-
vention in January it was decided Ia
levy upon each of these members an
assessment of twenty cents per month
tional executive board for use as a de.
fense fund. Part of this money has
been used in small strikes, but the
bulk of 1t Is probably available at this
time. Since January of the present
year there has been a very material
increase in the membership, which, Oi
course, carries with it an increase from
the defense fund. Aside from the
money in the hands of the executive
board, local unions in a number OF
states have accumulated large sunsi oi
money in their treasures which, while
not at the command of the executive
officers of the organization, will prob.
ably be placed in the strike fund. Con.
trlbutlons from other trades unions
can be counted on, and from these
facts it can be seen the miners are
prepared for a long fight"
Tomorrow will be spent in prepara.
tions for such emergencies as may
arise during the strike. Saturday night
President Mitchell will go to Hazleton
and from there to different points IN
the field for the purpose of holding
mass meetings.