The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-20
established in a great majority of the bituminous fields of the United States
 Have Kept Contracts.

nave AepB OonLTdCtS.
 For five years we have annually made contracts in this manner with many Of the bituminous coal operators and not withstanding the allegations that are per sistentiy made that we are dn irrespon- sible body. we feel proud of the fact that while 1t may have been to our financial interests on. many occasions to cast them aside, and we are under no legal obliga- tions to any one, we have faithfully lived up to the letter and spirit of every contract we have made. nor shall we violate them now.
 "One hundred and fifty thousand of cur craftsmen in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania have sought to secure bet ter wages and relief from many galling conditions under which they have been compelled to labor in the past. They have tried by every honorable means known to civilized men to adjust the grievances with their employers without resorting to a strike. In this they rave failed because the employers have ss- stunned to be the only parties intsreated in all the questions involving .he opera ton of the mines, a position that las not been sustained by the conditions c+istIng since a stoppage of work has taken place
 Some of the coal operators have been quoted as saying that the question is not one OI WdScS UT OthtCt ploynent, but that they believe it to be an opportune time to destroy the union
 of it is the purpose of the coal opera tors to destroy our union. then upon the principle that self-preservation IS the first law of nature, we would be irily justified in taking drastic meaS1res to prevent the accomplishment of thcir de- signs No legal power can compel us to work If we desire to remain idle.
 we believe that our interests in the community of which we are part and our obligations to the operators with whom we have agreements, require that we shall not inaugurate a general sus- pension of work in the coal trade. They may destroy our union, but they cannot make us violate our contracts.
 "The struggle in the anthracite region will be continued until our demands have been granted or a competent board of ar bitration has declared that we are wrong.
 Appeal to the People.
 Realizing the great power of public opinion. we appeal to the people at large to bring all possible pressure to bear on the officers and stockholders of the an thracites scoal-carrying railroads and other anthracite coal interests to treat con siderately the appeals of their employees for arbitration.
 The care of 1500Oo men and their fam lilies in a protracted struggle. such as this is likely to be, will require the ex- penditure of a large sum of money in the purchase of food. Our own resources are limited We have levied large assess ment on those of our members who are at work to assist us in caring for those who are on strike.
 We need more money for that purpose and we appeal to every trade union and trade unIonist. to every citizen whose in- terests are involved, and to every lover of fair play, to assist us in raising one million dollars per month from outside sources as long as the strike may last I've believe that with this amount Of money together with the amount received | from our own members. we can continue the struggle until justice has been se- tcured for the anthracite miners" Some Amendments offered to the report of the committee were voted down anc the debate was closed. The report wat then adopted By a rising vote. every dele l gate being on his feet. | The miners of Illinois announced that they appropriated $5Q,Ooo from their treas l ury for the support of the anthracite strike. Ohio gave $10.00O and Iowa and | Indiana promised contributions to be | made later.
 Pfesident Mitchell declared that there was appfoXiHndtely 'oHe hlllIiVIi "oi"AS i' | the treasuries of the various local unions and that his construction of the clause directing the unions to contribute "whai they could afford" was one-half of this money.
 The convention was then adjourned by the singing of America" ...... Immediately after the adjournment President Mitchell called the meeting again and a report upon the recent mine disasters in Pennsylvania and Utah was read, censuring sharply District Mine In spector Rederick of Pennsylvania for l following work to be commenced In 8
 mine before all tke corpses had been re moved"'
 The ranert was referred to the officers l of the union for future action, after ar | investigation.
 l The convention then adjourned.