The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-20
MITCHELL ON TOP.


CONCLUDED FROM FIRST O.
tablished in a great majority of the Bit
luminous fields of the United States, where
the operators and miners mutually confer
and agree upon such terms Of employment
as may be satisfactory FOR d given period
OF time. For hve years we have annually
made contracts in this manner with many
of the bituminOgs coal operators and, not
withstanding the allegations that arc per
s~istently made that We are an irresponsible
body, We feel proud OF the fact That while
Il may have been TO our nnanclal interests
on many occasions 20 cast them aside, ana
we were under no legal obligations TO any
one. we have faithfully lived up to the let
ter and the spirit OF every contract we nave
made, nor shall we violate them now
IN THE ANTHRACITE REGION
lone hundred and fifty thousand of our
craftsmen in the anthracite region Of Penn
syIvania have sought to secure better
wages and relief from many CALLING condi-
tons under which they have been com
PEELED to labor in the past. They have tried
by every honorable means known TO civil
lized men to adjust the grievance with
their employers without resorting to a
strike. In this they have failed, because
the employers nave ssumed to be the
only parties interested in all the questions
involving the operation of the times ?
position that has not been sustained by
the conditions existing since the StOppage
of work has taken place. Some OF the
coal operators have been quoted as saying
that the question is not one of wages or
other conditions of employment, but that
they believe it to be an oPportune time 10
destroy the union. Whether they nave
made this statement or not, their actions
indicate that their purposes is to destroy
our organization. We know from expert
ence the dire results of organized capital
upon the community at large In the coal
regions when not modified by the influence
of organized labor. If it Is the purpose or
the coal operators to destroy our unlon'
then, upon the principle that self-preserVa-
ton is the first law of nature, we would be
fully justified in taking drastic measures
TO prevent the accomplishment OF their
designs. We believe we have within our
reach the means by which mat purpose
can be thwarted. No legal power can COM
pei us TO work if we desire to remain idle.
There is no more reason why we should De
required TO sell our labor at a lower price
than we are asking for IL than a member
Of the corporation should be compelled 10
sell his stock when he wants TO keep II.
We believe that our interests in the COM
munity of which we are a part and our
obligations to the operators with whom
We have agreements requires that we snail
work in the coal trade. They may destroy
our union. but they cannot make us Vlo-
late our contracts.
TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE.
THE struggle in the anthracite region
will be continued until our demands have
been granted or a competent board of arbi-
tration has declared that we are wrong.
No class of men realizes more than we do
the great power Of public opinion. Its in
fuence is potent for good or evil in accord
ance with the manner in which it is used.
No right can be secured and maintained
without it's support and no wrong can long
exist that meets with it's concentrated OPP
position. Realizing this fact, we appeal
to the people at large to bring all possible
Dressure to bear on the officers and stock
holders of the anthracite cOal-carrying
railroads TO treat considerably the appeal
to their employees for arbitration.
18th care of 10000 men and their families
in a prOtracted struggle, such as this is
likely to be, will require the expenditure
food. Our own resources are limited. We
have levied a large assessment on those
of our members who are at work TO assist
in caring for those who are on strike. We
need more money for that purpose, and we
appeal to every trades union and trades
unionist. to every citizen whose interests
are involved, and to every lover of fair
/ play TO assist Us in raising 100000 per
month from outside sources as long as the
strike may last. We believe that with this
amount of money, together with the amount
received from our own members. we can
continue the ruggl until justice is Sc
cured for the miners. Such a result would
bring permanent peace and stability to the
coal trade and rebound TO the common well
fare of the people.
"All money should be sent TO w. 3. Will
son. national secretary-treasurer, 11O3 Ste
venson Building, indianapolis, Ind