The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-02

President John Mitchell, of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America, arrived
in the city about 2.30 o'clock yesterday
afternoon from Hazleton, and was in
terviewed at the St Charles hotel,
shortly after his arrival, by a Tribune
man. Mr.. Mitchell was accompanied
by Miss Morris. his private secretary.
He will leave this morning for Lake
I,odore, where he will this afternoon
address those attending the Central
Labor union excursion, and tomorrow
the mine workers president will be the
principal speaker at the semi-centen-
nial celebration at Carbondale. He will
remain i'm Carbondale for few days,
as he has promised to speak at meet
ings which are to be held at neighbor-
ing places, and will then return to this
city.
In the course of his conversation yes
terday, President Mitchell declared that
the conditions at present existing in
the anthracite valley are far from what
they should be. In answer TO direct
Interrogation ON the point, he said, alb
| ruptly and emphatcally:
"On the whole, / would say that the
conditions in this field are not salts
| factory. Men are being discharged
without cause, contracts are being vio-
lated, and an entirely unwarranted OPP
| position is being manifested towards
| the United Mine Workers of America.
WHAT MEN CLAIM.
That" he continued. with less
warmth than he had allowed himself
at first to manifest "is what is claimed
| by the men themselves. | believe that
| these complaints, moreover, are the re-
| suit OF the action Of local manage
| ments, not done with the knowledge or
| consent of heads of companies, who /
| do not think would endorse the moves
| of superlntendents and bosses who are
enforcing these conditions"
| President Mitchell Furthermore stated
| that there have been more complaints
| Of grievances from the men of No. l,
| or the Scranton district, than from
| either of the other divisions of the an
| thracite field. AS will be remembered
| at the recent convention in Hazletnn,
! President Mitchell and the three dis
| trict presidents, 7. u. Nichols of No.
| /, T. J. Duffy of No. Z, and John Fahy
| Of No. Q, were chosen as n committee
to confer with representatives of the
| operators and endeavor to secure an
agreement which would finally dispose
| of petty strikes and disturbances, and
secure redress for the present griev-
ances. Regarding this committee, Presi-
| DENT Mitchell yesterday said:
| Thus far we have done nothing to-
| wards attempting to secure an inter-
| view. but l do not entertain the least
| doubt that the operators will receive
| the committee which waits upon them.
| We will not go down to New York for
| at least week yet. as we intend to
first meet and arrange our data, be-
fore asking for any interview.
DISTRICT GRIEVANCES.
AT our meeting we will consider all
of the district grievances which have
been already mentioned, the card ques-
ton, the refusal 10 rcinstate firemen.
etc. 1t is not likely that our meeting
will be held in Scranton. We have
not yet decided upon its date"
When President Mitchell was asked
| what he thought Of the action of the
State Stationary Engineers Conven-
ton which was held here last Sunday
| in deciding to remain a separate body
| from the United Nine Workers of
| America, he remarked that the Sta
tionary Engineers union did not con-
sist wholly of mine engineers and he
supposed that had probably something
to do with the sentiment of the con-
| ventlon on the subject.
President Mitchell appeared lOath
to discuss any of the individual griev-
| ances of the mine workers and de-
clared that there We're none in par
ticular which had caused the appoint.
ment of the committee. but merely
the fact that they existed, as n com.
poslte whole. Regarding the card
question which has appeared upper.
most among this districts grievances
he said that the custom of makine
periodical examinations had been ir
practice here for about six months
without eny opposition until about q
month ago. when all OF the companies
suddenly protested against It.