The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-10-07
MASS MEETINGS
WILL BE CALLED
Miners to Prove Statements Of
Operators Untrue.
MITCHELL STILL CONFIDENT
MEN ON STRIKE CAUTIONED
AGAINST ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

~
WILKESBARRE. Oct. s.-The con-
w ference between Mr.. Mitchell
and his district presidents con-
tinued until 1:l5 p. m. and at 1880
o'clock, five minutes before the. na-
tional president left for Buffalo, he
gave 10 the press the following state
ment, which was hurriedly prepared
after he returned from Philadelphia
tonight:
''Wilkesbarre. Pa. Oct. 6.-To dis
trict secretaries and all mine workers
in the anthracite fields: You have, no
doubt read in the daily papers tho
proceedings OF the conference at the
| White House last Friday In which
| your officers proposed an Immediate
| resumption Of work II the operators
would agree with you TO refer the ques-
ton at issue in the strike 10 the de-
cision Of the president OF the United
| States and a tribunal named by him.
You have noted the reply Of the aDal-
| carrying roads. in which they respond
ed TO our Overtures by denOuneing the
union. its members and officers in the
most vehement and malicious manner
possible. They also declared that a
/ large majority Of the strikers would
return 10 work If given military pro-
lection, and they demanded that the
president send United States troops to
the coal fields.
Mass Meetings Held.
an order TO demonstrate to the peo-
| pie of our country that the statements
| Of the operators are unfounded and
that the workers are law abiding cit
liens, the officers Of all local unions
should call mass meetings OF all men
on strike. union and non-union. such
meetings to be held in each mining
town at . O'Clock Wednesday after
noon. Oct s. We know the mine work.
ers are not restrained from going TO
work by fear of bodily harm. and il
this is the sentiment prevailing at the
meeting, resolutions should be adopted
emphatically declaring the statements
of the operators TO be untrue.
I'VE also advise that acts OF law
lessness by the coal and iron police
and by strikers be denounced, the
services of members Of the union tend
cred 20 the local authorities TO pre-
serve law and order.
Victory Predicted
Great care should be exercised that
those on coal strike do not permit
themselves 30 be provoked by the coal
and iron police. into the commission
OF overt acts. The operators. failing
to break the strike and deprive you Of
your well earned victory, are now at
tempting to array public sentiment
against you by making false claims
that a reign OF terror exists in the
coal fields. Be steadfast and true
while this struggle for living wages
and American conditions OF employ
ment is going on, and We have no
hesitAncy in saying that victory will
be achieved in the near future. The
heart OF the nation beats In sympathy
with you and all good citizens favor
your cause.
DO not fail to have resolutions
drafted in plain, temperate language
and telegraph them at our expense 10
i President Mitchell's headquarters I'M
mediately on the adjournment Of meet
ings.
CSigned JOHN MITCHELL.
president United Mine Workers
"T. d. NICHOLS.
president District No. l.
"THOS. DUFFY,
president District No. z.
JOHN FAHEY.
president District No. g."
Troops Not Needed.
The news of the calling out of the
entire state guard created a mild SEN
sation among those gathered at strike
headouarters. but apparently the least
] "a. uhaN
The three district presidents. There
was a crowd in the lobby Of the Hart
hotel and as soon as the miners chief
came down the stairs with his travel
ing bag in hand he was asked for an
expression on the action OF Governor
Stone. He at first declined, but mo-
ment later, as he pushed his way
through the throngs, he exclaimed: II
they call all the troops out In the Unit
ed States It won't make the men 90
to work"
President Nichols said: Nothing
has arisen 10 warrant the calling out
Of more troops, but if they are not
used for any unlawful purpose their
presence in the coal fields cannot DO
us any harm"
District President Duffy remarked
that the troops are not needed.
protested TO Governor Stone when they
were first ordered 10 the district, and
am still Of the same mind"
President Fahey said: Il do not see
the necessity for calling out more
troops unless it be for the purpose OF
boosting the operators side Of the
struggle"
The news Of the calling out Of all
the troops was received so late ihat
opinion could not be had from all the
coal officials in this vicinity.
President Mitchell, accompanied by
the district presidents. left for Buf-
falo at 1l:45 p. m. over the Lehigh
Valley railroad. There they viii meet
q committee OF the national associ-
alton Of manufacturers and viii try
TO devise some plan for bringing the
strike to an end. At Buffalo the min
, ers will be Joined by National Secre-
tary- Treasurer Wilson A large crowd
saw Mr.. Mitchell and his colleagues