Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-17

ers and anarchists and our organization
they denounced as 'lawless and irresponsi-
BILE" They know and did know that their
charges were untrue and without founda-
ton In fact: they know that every ofhcer
of the United Mine Workers of America
from the president down has constantly
urged upon its membership the imperative
need of respecting the law; that Every
man who commits a deed of violence is an
enemy to our cause" has been our watch
word Despite these admonitions. support
ed with all our influence. there have been
few crimes and a number of misdeme anors
chargeable to those on strike. But. Mr.
President we make the unqualified declara-
ton that the imported guardians of law and
order. the companies coal and iron police,
have committed more unprovoked murders
during this strike than can be charged to
the great army Of men who have been In
idlenesS for the past five months. we nave
repeatedly. and in language not susceptible
OF misconstructlon. condemned transgres-
sons Of the law the part of those on
strike. and we challenge the coal companies
to point to one public utterance on their
part in which they have even deprecated
acts of violence committed by their hired
guards.
manly for the coal road presidents to insult
US while we were your guests and to charge
our organization with responsibility for acts
of lawlessness during the strike. 1t would
be just logical to charge the American
army in the Philippines with being an army
OF murderers. torturers and robbers because
q few crimes were committed by SoldlefS
there. Until the millennium there will be
crimes in every community, and human
nature is the same, no better and no wo-St.
among the half million people depend ant
upon In the coal fields as 1t Is every
where in country. """~
The pretenSe of the operators that they
were unable to produce coal because intimi-
dation kept from work men who were will
ing to work has been proven false by the
fact that the protection which they Ge-
manded has decreased rather than increas-
ed the number of men mining coal. A
hundred thousand troops could not have
enabled the operators to start their mines,
for the simple reason that the men VINO
work them are members OF the Cn'-Hd
Mine Workers of America, men who were
determined to stand TO the last Tor their
right to organize, and through their organ
ization to demand better wages and I'M
proved conditions Of employment. Depr,va-
ton, Misrepresentation and troops together
were not sufficient to drive tn.m into sur
render. They stood shoulder to shoulder
to the very last.
The operators declared that they would
have nothing to do with the United Mine
Workers OF America but they have found 1t
necessary TO recognize the power of the
United Mine Workers of American through
you, Mr. President. and to seek terms of
peace which will enable them to resume
their business of mining and selling coal.
The recognition of our strength, thus forced
upon the operators by stern necessity, we
exult over. not in any narrow spirit. but
because we believe it marks a forward step
toward a new era. Upon the foundations
laid through war ready to join with
them in building for better conditions and
a long and lasting peace. The United Mine
Workers of America since its organiZa ton
in the anthracite field has constantly sought
to establish:
First Fair wages and just conditions of
labor. conditions just to both operators and
miners. We have never made demands be
yond the ability of the industry to pay on a
basis of equitable division of profits between
labor and capital
Second. Amicabe relations between en-
ployers and employees. the latter speaking
through their organization and their organ
ization aiding the companies in maintaining
discipline. adjusting all difficulties by con-
ciliatory methods. averting local strikes
and lockouts. and securing stable and sat
isfactory conditions to the industry
Our organization by the same methods
which we have proposed here has secured
just such relations and just such results
in the coal fields of the country. OrganiZa-
ton. like individual. must stand upon
what it has done and the life it has lived.
We invite scrutiny and investigation of our
record and character.
In the Soft-coal fields we have joint con-
ferences with the operators and with them
we adjust differences, sign joint agree
ments together we preserve discipline. set
tie disputes and maintain harmony and sta
bility in The trade.
We have asked the anthracite operators to
inGufre of the coal operators how well they
are pleased with their business relations
with us. whether or not we keep agreements
and render satisfactory service for wages
paid to our members. One business man
might thus learn of another what is the
character of our organization. Many soft
coal operators have publicly declared that
they would not dispense with our co-opera-
ton and would deem ii disaster if com
PEELED to get back to the chaotic conditions
which existed when their labor was morgan
lied. Upon our past record willing
to stand fall. We have time and time
again invited the anthracite operators to
adopt these business methods and to deal
bluffs persisted but they resented any
attempt upon our part to organize their en-
plnyes: they refused our overtures for ami
cable discussion and possible satisfactory
adjustment of wage differences in joint con-
ference.
They refused to have any dealings with
their employees except individuals: they
refused concessions and refused arbitra
ton; they put their backs against the wall
of prejudice and their faces ARBITRARILY
against progress; they thought themselves
stronger than the great union principle
which Is making such strides throughout
the world; that while combining their cor
porations and polling their interest in hard
and fast alliance they could deny the men
who worked for them the right to or
ganize and speak through their organiza-
ton.
When the inevitable conflict came on
they attempted to Justify themselves upon
the false plea that ours Is an irrespon-
sfble organization; when we demonstrated
our responsibility and reliability, they then
asserted that We're lawIess organiza-
ton which was dominated by violence
When society attempted to interfere to
settle the strike they declared their divine
ly appointed right to be let alone. When
representatives OF national and state gov
ernments tried to mediate. they resented
such "meddling by politicians. But thanks
TO YOU Mr.. President, and to the power
OF public opinion, they have been brought
to realization of the fact that the in
terests and welfare of the American peo-
pie can not be ignored with impunity
BY the eminent tribunal which you have
named Ne have confidence that justice will
be done our people. We are glad to have
a chance to appear before such a court en-
powered to consider and dispose Of all
questions at issue.
First among these Is the demand of the
mine workers for increased wages and a
reduction in the hours of labor; second is
the relations which ought to exist between
the employers and the organization which
the men have formed and which they au-
thorlze 10 speak for them
From this arbitration we hope and believe
VIII come complete. satisfactory and per-
manent solution Of the troubles which have
vexed the anthracite field from time i'm
memorial.
Respectfully. yours
JOHN MITCHELL.