Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-10-27
LEADER
IS H0N0REO
Miners Present Him With
a Badge and Watch.
National President in His
Reply Looks Forward to
Harmony Between Capital
and Labor.

President John Mitchell was presented
yesterday by the Polish, Lithuanian and
Slavish people Of the coal region with
gold badge valued at $3.50 and a watch
worth sloO The badge is copy of the
Emancipation badge presented to Presi-
dent Lincoln by the freed slaves after
the Civil war. 1t bears the insignia of
the mine workers, a miners pick and
shovel, crossed above a mine lamp, and
on the reverse side the Inscription.
Both badge and watch were inscribed as
follows: Presented to John Mitchell,
president the United Mine Workers of
America. from the Polish, Lithuanian
and Slavonian people Of the anthracite
coal fields of Pennsylvania"
Paul Pulaski, vice president of Dis
trict o, oificiated as chairman and mas
ter OF ceremonies. large delegation
OF representatives of nationalities that
had contributed to the gift were pres
ent In addition to Presidents Nichols,
Duffy and Fahey and other prominent
mine workers, members of both the
English and foreign press and ministers
OF the Reformed Church, who are at
present holding convention in the city.
In his reply to the presentation ad-
dress, President Mitchell said:
II have in my life been the recipient
of many honors and have enjoyed to
large degree the confidence of those
whose interests have been committed to
my care, but beg to assure you that
treasure more than language can ex-
press this additional manifestation of
the good will and respect of your people.
"When first came to the anthracite
coal fields l found the mine workers dis
organized and separated by race pre-
judices and religious animosities. There
was no unity OF action and no effective
power of resistance, but now they are
united, they have grown to know one
another better, they recognize the
Identity of their interests and are pre-
pared to move as one man in the ad-
vancement Of their common cause.
II look forward to the time when
strikes shall be no more; when peace
and justice and right shall be secured
for those who toll; when labor and capi-
tai, each recognizing its rights and obl-
cations to society, shall work In har-
mony for the common welfare of our
country and in the general good of all
our people"
The three district presidents, before
President Mitchel's departure for
Washington, had long conference, with
him regarding the conditions. They
remained with him until o'clock, when
he started for Washington, accom- mpanied
by Messrs. Fahy and Duffy. The presi-
dent of District 7 went no further than
Philadelphia.
The matters under discussion were
the plans for presenting evidence to the
commission, and the disturbing situa-
tion at Markles, CoXe's and Pardees
works, the Panther Creek district and
at some OF the smaller collieries
throughout the Schuylkill and the Sba-
mokin regions, where the operators are
holding out, refusing to re-engage the
men unless they sign contracts agreeing
to abide by the decision of the commits
sion or not to interfere with the nom
union men working.
President Mitchell would not say what
action had been taken, IL any, but
President Duffy declared that the men
there would not return to work II they
are required to sign the agreement.
He said the miners could not under
stand why these operators maintain
their position when the big companies
insisted upon no such proposition.