The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-18


these men determined that in case OF
Il strike they would leave the city, and
yesterday morning, John Newton, one
OF their number received q letter from
Foreman Wilson. and this decided
them to go to British Columbia. They
left last night for Wilkes Barre,
whence they go to Buffalo. n. Y, then
to Hamilton, Ont, and then to An
thony, their terminal point.
MASS MEETING In
THE AFTERNOON
A conservative estimate of the num-
bcr of mine workers who attended
the mass meeting in the open field
near the Cayuga mine yesterday af-
ternoon can be placed at about 1000,
and in addition to that number there
were present many women and work
ers in other branches of trade, who
came to listen to the addresses de-
livered by Timothy D. Hayes and Ma
| tional Organizer Frederick Dilcher.
The spectacle was dramatic. The
men were seated comfortably and
quietly on the hillside. while the
speakers on a raised platform at the
base of the hill, had colliery for Il
| background. Every now and then n
train would thunder along on the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
| road, Just above.
1t is doubtful If, during all the time
| leading up to the strike, that 50 much
| interest was manifested in n mass
meeting as that displayed yesterday
! afternoon.
Mr.. Hayes preceded Little Freddie
! in addressing the crowd. He held the
/ attention of the men for some time.
| Among other things he said the men
are willing and capable of carrying
| on their own business without any in
| reference from outside influences, and
| in justice to the United Mine Workers
| and their leaders, he asked that other
| people mind their own business
I'VE are intelligent enough to tran
| sact our own business, and no one
knows our condition better than our
selves. and we should be allowed to
| peaccably settle our differences
among ourselves. If this is done. the
| strike question will be settled in a
| short time" he declared. Continuing,
| he said:
Time to Perpare.
There is an old saying, "Tn time of peace pre-.
| pare for war" and ! tell YOU my friends, if we
| had prepared for war in time of peace there
! would not have been strike declared in the
| anthracite region on Sept Il. II we had been
! organized six months ago as we are today there
| would have been no strike declared. The opera.
| tors would then have known our strength and
| conceded to MS our demands
But they did not conceive Of the possibility
of such general tie.up now prevails We
hold you men. as well as the operators respon.
sbe for this strike, because Won have not been
sufficiently organized and | am glad to know
that the people have at last realized the nrccs'
sity Of unifcation in this matter
| You men know why the conditions which now
exist do exist. viii you heed any influence to
persuade you from the course you have taken!
! The questions OF religion and politics must bc
| kept out Of this fight and | caution You never
to allow them to influence YOU Remember that,
united we stand, divided we fall.
There was a time when it was an honor for a
man to be a miner. Twenty years ago the con
ditions were much different that what they are
| today. At that time no size less than chestnut
coal was sent to the market, but now there are
several sizes smaller than that. | understand
that in Philadelphia the price Of coal has in
creased from s. to IS ton.
The operators say the cost OF production ha.
! increased. We know whether that is true or not
just as well as they do but has not the cost OF
| living increased also, and has the wages OF the
miner been increased?
The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad com
pany has been selling powder at $50 a keg iol
the last thirteen years. and have been complying
with the semi.monthly pay law ever since it was
put in force Are asking too much when W,
ask for these conditions. which rightfully anC
lawfully belong to us? No, my friends, all ",
| want is the corporations TO comply with the
law, then will get our pay every two weeks
and full weight and not have to give them 300
pounds for ton, either
Your poverty is not Of your own making ant
you must remember it is because you have beer
tmid and lacking in action aud unity know
the privilege and blessing OF two weeks pay
day, which will enable you 10 live and establish
a cash trade basis with your grocer, and do away
with the pass-book system.
Under the present system you have TO work Si'
or seven weeks before receiving your pay, whcl
calls for the necessity of a plnckme store. w
must have two weeks pay before We can elimi
nate the company store. II the company stor,
is not in existence a two weeks pay is necessary
and when the company store is abandoned it vii
mean an increase OF 10 per cent. in your wages
Docking System.
Referring to the docking system, Mr.
Hayes said that no docking boss ha'
a right under the existing contracts
to dock a car of coal unless it has
more than 800 pounds of dirt and
culm in it. and less than six inches o
topping at the breaker. II have
loaded cars with less than fifty pound!
of dirt in them and over six inches o
topping" he said, "and yet | hav,
been doCked."
He gave as the reason for the exist
cnce of this injustice that ii is he
cause the men did not know the con
ditions which they have allowed Il
exist, In conclusion, Mr.. Hayes spok
as follows:
We are al critical moment in our existence
practically in om infancy, and ii we make mis-
takes Ne must heal them up as quickly as po.
,'ble Let sentiment be moulded together an
always bear in mind that the United Mine Worn
,r>' association is just represented. The city
state and national government is ss you made il
and remember that your union will be what go
make il.
| appeal to you under the existing crisis I
conduct yourself peaccably, to stand together an
incte no quarrels Keep away from the saloon
and avoid arguments II depends on you whethe
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