The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-09-30
1 vl1ORr fOR Tlt 5TR|hfp5
President Titchell Makes This Claim
But the Miners May Not Accept.
Everything Quiet In the Coal
Region -CoIlieries Closed.

Hazelton' Pa, Sept. 29.-That
President Mitchell was waiting
for information from New York
cannot be denied today, as he
intimated several times that
something might develop before
night. In the forenoon he had
two lengthy conversations over
the long distance telephone, and
between 4 and 5 o'clock this even
ing he was at the wire for more
than half an hour. To whom he
talked he declined to tell, but he
said:
'This has been the greatest
industrial contest between labor
and capital in the history of
America. The manner in which
the men have voluntarily res
ponded for the strike demonstra-
tes beyond the possibility of a
doubt that the conditions under
which they labored so long were
unbearable, and that to continue
working meant to surrender ab-
solutely all hope of maintaining
themselves and families as the
American citizens believe they
should.
"If the 10 per cent increase
mentioned in the newspapers is
correct while far from satisfac-
tory, it is the greatest victory
ever achieved by organized labor
and won under the most adverse
circumstances. l, of course,
have nothing to say as to what
action will be taken as to the ac-
ceptance or rejection of my pro
posal. This must be determined
by the whole body of anthracite
miners themselves. Our orga-
nizatlon will not make the mis-
take which has wrecked many
other organizations of assuming
the power to determine through
it's officers the happiness, the
misery, veal or woe of the 500,
900 men, women and children
dependent upon the anthracite
coal industry for livelihood.
1--WE take the position in this
contest, as we have in all others,
tha: capital is entitled to fair
compensation on honest invest
ment, but that no institution has
legitimate right to exist which
; does not afford labor sufficient
rate of wages to enable those
depending upon it to earn a fair
living.
"Under the sliding scale an
increase of 10 per cent would
practically amount to nothing,
for what the men would gain in
one day they might lose the next
If an increase of 10 per cent in
wages is offered the miners il
will probably be done by means
of posted notices and the person
al visitation of representatives
Of mine owners, and not the
United Mine Workers, because
the operators say, they will not
recognize the organization. II
the men so informed desired tC
consider the proposition they
would have a meeting of theil
local union called for the purpose
of having district presidents
These presidents would inform
the national president. AS Mr.
| Mitchell is not empowered tC
accept anything less than all the
D miners demands he could Dc
! nothing but instruct the men t.
refuse the offer. If the striker:
should still feel that they ough
to entertain the proposition they
c can ak the national presiden
through a local union meeting
and then a district convention t.
! l call a joint convention for three
districts. The request, however
would not be compulsory, th'
national president being allowed
to use his judgment.
The demands of the men wer,
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