Milford chronicle., 1902-07-25


a week to aid the striking anthracite
miners. A few changes were made in
MitchelPs plan by the special commit
tee, but they relate only to the method
Of assessment. The committees report
was as follows:
First-That the national secretary
treasurer of the United Mine Workers
be authorized to appropriate $4,000
from the funds of the national treas
urer for the benefit of the districts /,
Z and 9 (anthracite districts).
Second-That all districts and sub
districts and local unions be asked to
donate whatever they can afford for
the support of the strike.
Third-That an assessment of 10 per
cent be levied on earnings Of members
where check system is used and at
other mines of 81 a man every week.
This assessment is not to be made
against members of union now on
strike, but to commence when strikes
are over.
Fourth-The assessments to be paid
direct by the local unions to Secretary.
Treasurer Wilson.
Fifth-That % per cent. be deducted
from the salaries of all national dis.
trict officers and organizers.
Sixth-That the assessment begin
from July 16.
Seventh - That all contributions
made by the national organization be
distributed to the anthracite districts
in the ratio shown by the last coal
reports
EighthAThat each local union be
requested to aid as far as possible in
securing work for men now on strike.
In this connection the good offices of
the American Federation of Labor will
he requested.
Ninth-That an address be submit.
ted to the American people.
The salient points of the address to
the American people are as follows:
The convention of the United Mine
Workers hereby states the line of ac.
ton which its members are determined
to pursue.
The coal miners Of the country re.
cognlze the marvellous industrial pro.
gress of the country during the last
decade, but our labor has produced the
foundation for most of this wealth BY
producing the coal which has made the
progress possible But when the min.
ers examine the paltry pittance they
receive as recomDense for the labors
and dangers they undergo they feel
that they are being dealt with un.
justly in payment for so much labor
and so many sacrifices.
The combinations of capital are SC
powerful that individuals are HELPLESS
and experience shows that when CAPT
tai combines labor must unite. The
grievances of the miners have forced
them to organize, not TO take from the
operators what belongs to them, but
to receive better treatment and fail
remuneration for their labor.
For five years the miners have lived
up to the letter and spirit of every
contract into which they have en-
tered, and do not intend to violate them
now.
The miners believe that the best in
terests Of the country are opposed t.
a general strike of the coal miners
and, while they feel that in the pres
ent fight their union may be destroyed
nothing can compel them to break
their agreements. The miners request
the American people to bring such
pressure to bear upon the anthracite
operators and anthracite railroads as
will compel them to submit to arbitra
/ ton.
The expenses of the miners call fol
contribution of s1,OOO,OOO per month
from sources outside the union, ant
with this amount the miners are con
fdent they can win the anthracite
strike.