The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-19
Enlarglng the Contest.

r I WAS asserted some days ago in
dispatch sent from Wilkes
l. Barre to the Chicago Record
Herald by that papers Washing
ton correspondent, Walter Wellman,
that President Mitchell of the United
Mine Workers of America was SO
strongly opposed to a sympat thetic
strike of soft coal miners under yearly
contract that if call for convention
to consider such a strike should be is
sued--and request from five districts
makes it's issuance obligatory upon him
and decision to strike voted, he
would resign his position rather than
appear before the country in the light
of a contract breaker.
The call, President Mitchell an
nounces,is now to be issued, and the
public will not have long to wait to
see if Mr.. Wellman wrote with author
ity. The call is for a convention "to
consider the advisability of inaugurat-
ing national suspension of work" In
considering this matter the convention
will naturally take into account the ex-
d
fields, of yearly contracts binding the
soft coal workers to remain at work un-
til next spring. The validity of these
contracts is unquestioned. They are
enforcible in court so far as the opera
tors are concerned and would be en-
forcible against the United Mine Work.
ers of America If that were an incor-
porated body owning property. Nor
ally the contracts are as binding upon
the union as upon the operators. The
side which should break them would
rightfully be censured by all believers
in the integrity of business agreements.
Once broken, it is doubtful If the ag-
grieved party-which in the present in
stance would be the operators-would
consent to their renewal except under
compulsion; and IA contract secured by
compulsion is void.
The argument advanced by those who
favor national suspension is that self
preservation is the highest law of ma
ture; that the life of the union is now
threatened, and that it can only be pre-
served by the stoppage of all coal min
ing and the bringing of irresistible pres
sure from all branches of productive in
dustry to bear upon the anthracite
operators to grant concessions sufficient
to put an end to the strike. But assum-
ing national suspension possible, is 1t
certain that the effect would be as thus
calculated? Pressure of tremendous
force has already been brought to bear
upon the anthracite operators, without
modifying their attitude. They an
nounce that they have chosen their po-
sition advisedly and will not deviate
from 1t. They say they are ready to
treat with their former employees when
the latter are ready to resume work and
that until that time they will do as they
have been doing for five weeks-simply
protect their property and mark time.
Unquestionably a general suspension
of fuel production would bring the an
thracite situation TO a crisis. To bring
1t about Is, however, a big undertaking.
The anthracite territory Is compact and
limited; soft coal mining extends over
large number of states and there Is
hardly any limit to the available sup
ply. The date fixed for the convention,
July II, is remote enough to insure
thorough discussion and deliberation.
Sufficient unto the day are the perplex-
tiles thereof.