The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-09-29
FRlE IDS IN dull I |
MASS MEETING Held N COAL
MINERS nEfI.AEF. $3. s5ss

- -
fully OF tue Trying situation In
1 Pennsylvnnia---A Small Fund liz
IT, Raised. Isl
The meeting held at the Armory We'd
nesday for the purpose of expressing
sympathy with the, striking coal miners
in Pennsylvania, was not very well at
tended, probably not over 400 people be-:
ing present. Short speeches were made
by Bishop James McGolrick, Rev. A.
W. Ryan, Alfred McCallum. state fac
tory Inspector and Attorney A. E. Nc
Manus, and all We're sympathetic
though conservatives tone. Following
the addresses resolution was unani-
mously adopted to the effect that the
pledged itself \ to assist the miners
financially and otherwise in their strug-
gle for better conditions. A collection
of $S1.76 was taken up to be sent to the
scene Of theftrouble. .-.
The parade was dispensed with, the
city band alone marching down Su-
periOr street to the Armory. The
speeches were interspersed with excel:
lent selections by the state K. of p.
band of West Duluth.
A. w. Jones, president of the Trades
assembly, was chairman of the meet
ing and introduced Alfred McCallum as
the first speaker. Mr.. McCallum's re-
marks were largely a description of the
condition of the miners and the wrongs
of which they complained. 49,
Bishop McGolrick made a very in
teresting, though brief address. He be-
gan by dsploring the small attendance
and interest in a cause that appealed
so much to humanity, and remarked on
the absence of business men by say
ing in effect that as a general princi
pie there is in the minds of employers
a feeling that employees should be kept
from asserting themselves.
The bishop referred to the mercenery
spirit of capitalists, who have no care
for the welfare Of their employees after
they have secured their labor, and be-
lieve they owe no other duty to their
men than pay them their wages. There
are many philanthropists, said the
bishop, rich men who give gifts of tele-
scopes and libraries, but forget the
working men who have earned the
money for" them, and which they ex-
pend with SO much munificence
us it lawful to striker interrogated
the speaker, 1T generally means ter
rible loss to the poor men, loss to
capital and to the public but I be-
lieve that is it absolutely right and
lawful for men to strike-that is re-
fuse to work. Strikes for
higher wages, shorter hours Or against
conditions that are; running men
physically and mentally are right, and
always will be, on those principles. Yet
men say not, and assert there is no
reason for strikes, that they are in
spired by &demag ogues for political
reasons. - The bishop said that he had
been tin II he 4 Penns Mia mil ming re-
lsssiiplls as
their condi ions. Y said he believed
in the justice of the strikers cause and
that they should be helped out by every
God fearing man. Bishop McGolrick
said his personal solution of questions
of similar character was the establish
ment by the government of courts of
arbitration. composed Of men in whom
both classes have trust
God grant that the, strike may not
be a failure said the bishop in con-
clusion. :.
DR.. A. w. Ryan said that it was the
old question of human selfishness and
the emancipation OF the man who does
the work. The doctor said that he did
not understand how in a question which
vitality affected SO large a proportion
of the public, there should be such re-
sistance to arbitration. He did not
see how any man could object to
arbitra ton if he has a just cause, yet
| the companies in this trouble stood
absolutely mute, without one word OF
excuse or justification. "Our people
are Ions suffering,' said Mr.. Ryan, and
| they do not like strikes, and the evils
| that often accompany them, but this
coal strike, I believe should be looked
! on as one by ITSELF I'VE are in a free
country, he continued, 'but not one of
| license, and tyranny should deserve the
antagonism of every American heart"
| The speaker said the people should
stand by suffering humanity and their
hearts should go out freely and gener-
ously to these men,.
Attorney McManus said that although
he knew but little of the causes Of the
strike, he knew that 100000 men would
not lay down their tools with winter
coming on unless they had good rea-
son. He said that the strike was not a
political question. That both parties
had denounced trusts and We're re-
iterating that sentiment. Mr. McManus
made an able plea for the wives and
children in the miners homes who
would suffer most, and said that
whether the miners were right or
wrong suffering innocence appealed to
humanity and it should be the duty OF
every one to alleviate the distress OF
these helpless ones with all their power
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