New-York tribune., 1902-09-13
MITCHELL TALKS IN PHILADELPHIA
OPPOSED TO COMPULSORY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ISSUE WITH Mr.. HEWITT.

ISSUE WITH Mr.. HEWITT.
Philadelphia Sept. 12.-President John Mitch
ell Of the United Mine Workers Of America
came here tonight and him presented
about So by the organized work1nen OF this clS
for the benefit of the striking mine workers. 1he
presentation took place at joint mass meeting OF
the United Trades Association the Allied Building
Trades and the Central La Dor Union. held at La
bor I-yceun Hall. The money was gathered nI
these organizations through house TO house colIec
tions Jars placed on street corners and other
places and proceeds from picnics-
The miners chief arrived at the hall from
wikesbarre at 9:2o o'clock, and had enthusiastic
reception by the great crowd within the building.
After the relief money had been formally pre-
sented to him. Mr.. Mitchell made short address
He thanked the donors behalf of the great
army of men, women and children who making
a great struggle for living wages" He said the
mine workers fight fight for trade unonisrn'
without which the workmen Of the country couId
not get fair treatment from the employers. The
spokesman of the operators. he continued con-
tended they making fight for individual lib
erty and for principle. but Mr.. Mitchell claimed
the operators battling to give wages salts
factory only TO the Coal Trust. He said the strlk-
ers were just firm to-day they were four
months ago. If the strike to be lost, which
he said was not likely. it would not mean the
disintegration of organized labor, but it would be
shock which would be seriously felt.
President Mitchell said it difficult to keep the
peace among such great army Of men who are
struggling for living wages, but the miners he
thought, were keeping within the law as best they
could. The coal operators, he said, characterized
the miners union irresponsible and lawlesS
body He admitted there had been some lawess-
ness but of the six persons killed in the coal
fields since the strike started. three were muir
dered by coal and iron policemen No one deplored
laulessness more than he did. though
mitted by his own brother He characterized most
Of the special policemen criminals and thugs.
Continuing, the miners president said:
Governor Stone is contemplating an extra se5-
sion of the Pennsylvania legislature for the pur-
pose of having enacted a compulsory ARBITRATION
law The miners willing to arbtrate but they
They are willing 10 enslave the workmen OF
Pennsylvania in order to get out Of their own diff
cultv-
throughout the country to abide by the decision of
arbitration boards and also the rule for organized
workmen to stand by their contracts.
Mr. Mitchell referred to the recent public state
rnent of ex-Mayor Abram S. Hewitt of New-York
City in which the latter quoted saying Mr..
Mitchell was responsible for the anthracite strike
and that he had ordered the btuminous miners
quit work but that the latter had refused.
Mitchell denied these statements and also refuted
Mr. Hewtt's claim that he has been friend of
labor. Mr.. Hewitt. he said, is director in the
Erie Railroad and a director in very large coal
An Ttrns 9 the men as9 II the The eTmpl9y Of Mr. Hewitt in
although he never told that the public
Mr.. Mitchell pictured the young and chill
ought to be in the schools where they could re-
ceve education and become good citizens Of
their country He asked the citizens of Phila del
phia to further assist the strikers
cannot % ~n WI b 5he ,rad s,Tike alone he said but
victory will he ours This is the struggle of our
in the country to do what he can for our sue
President Mitchell left this city shortly after II
O'Clock tonight for Harrisburg where he will have
a conference with Governor Stone upon his arrival
fpa AT