The age-herald., 1900-09-29
GREATEST CONTEST
Between Labor and Capital in History
 of America, Says Mitchell

Hazleton, Pa., September N.-That Pres ident 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 con- versations over the long distance telephone and between and o'clock this evening 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 responded for the strike demonstrated beyond the possi- bility of a doubt that the conditions under which they labored long were unbeara- ble, and that to continue working meant to surrender absolutely all hope of main taining themselves and families as the American citizens believe they should.
 "As the 10 per cent increase mentioned in the newspapers is correct, while far from satisfactory, it Is the greatest vic- tory 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 acceptance or rejection of any proposal; this must be determined by the whole body of anthra- cite miners themselves Our organization will not make the mistake which has wrecked many other organizations, of as-
 
 its officers the happiness or misery the veal of woe of the 5Oo,oOO men, women and children dependent upon the anthracite coal industry for livelihood.
 We take the position in this contest as we have in all others, that capital is en- titled to fair compensation on honest in- vestment, but that no institution has a le- gitimate right to exist which does not af- ford labor a 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. 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 it will probably be done by means of posted notices and the per- sonal visitation of representatives of the mine owners, and not to the United Mine Workers, because the operators say they will never recognize the organization.
 If the men so informed desire to consider the proposition, they will have meeting of their local union called for the purpose of having the officers of those bodies to notify the district presidents. These presi- dents would inform the national president As MT. Mitchell is not empowered to accept anything less than all the miners demands, he could do nothing but instruct the men to refuse the offer.
 If the strikers should feel that they still ought to entertain the proposition they can aSK the ndtlOldl pieSiutHl tiiouSh their union, then their district convention, to call a joint convention for the three dis tricts The request, however, could not be compulsory, the national president being all lowed to use his judgment
 The demands of the men were fixed by joint convention of the three districts. They cannot accept anything less than these demands without a two-thirds vote of the three districts in joint convention, which alone can settle any question con- cerning the strike.
 The labor leaders here say they feel that the union and non-union men will stand out against the reported offer of a 10 per cent increase. Quetness continues to prevail through out the whole Lehigh valley region. The l. S. Wentz & Company's colliery at Ha- zelbrook shut down today a body of 100 men having marched from Freeland to that place and induced the men working in the Westz colliery to quit.
 At Scranton
 Scranton, Pa., Sept. 8-Operators here admit that Senator Hanna is the central figure in the negotiations for a final settle ment of the strike, and while they profess