The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-18
BRIGHT OUTLOOK
Continued from First Page.

Who work them are members OF the
United Mine Workers Of America. men
who determined 10 stand to the last for
their right TO organize and through their
organization 70 demand better wages ard
improved conditions of employment De
pTiVatiOn, misrepresentation and troops
together were not sufficient 10 drive them
into surrender They stood shoulder TO
shoulder TO the last. The operators de-
cIared they would have nothing 10 do
with the United kline Workers OF Amer
lea, but they have found il necessary
10 recognize the power Of The United
Mine Workers o. America through YOU
Mr.. President, and 10 seek terms Of
peace which viii enable them TO resume
their business OF mining and selling coal.
The recognition of our strength thus
forced upon the operators by stern neces-
sity, We exuIt 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 we are
ready to join with them in building bet
ter condition and a long and lasting
peace The United Mine Workers OF
America. since its organization in the
anthracite fields. has constantly sought
&c establish: First. fair wages and just
conditions of labor. conditions just TO
both operators and miners We never
l4AeANI OCiAld-Al<c It- t4i4 ablilAl Ok TIC
Industry to pay on q basis of equitable
division OF profits between labor and cap
ital. Second. amicable relations between
employers and employees. the latter speak
ing through their organization and their
organizing aiding the companies in MAIN
tanning discipline. adjusting all difficult
ties by eonciliatory methods. averting
local strikes and lockouts and securing
stable and satisfactory conditions TO the
industry. Our organization by the sam,
methods which we have proposed here
has secured just such relations, and just
such results in the coal fields of the
country. Organization, like an individual
must stand upon what it has done and
the life it has lived. We invite scrutiny
and investigation of our record and char
scter. In the soft coal fields we have
ICfnt conferences with the operators and
with them we adjust differences, We sign
Joint agreements, together we preserve
discipline, settle disputes and maintain
harmony and stability in the trade. We
have asked the anthracite operators to
inquire of the coal operators how well
they are pleased with their business re-
lstions with us. whether or not we keeu
agreements and render satisfactory SER
vice for wages paid to our members. One
business man might thus learn of another
what is the character of our organiZa-
ton. Many soft coal operators have pub
ncly declared that they would not dis
pense with our cooperation and would
deem IL a disaster If compelled to get
back 70 the chaotic conditions which ex
listed when their labor was unorsanized.
Upon our past record we are willing 10
stand or fall We have time and time
again invited the anthracite operators
TO adopt these bushes methods and then
deal with us on this basis. Despite re
peated rebuffs we persisted. but they
resented any attempt upon our part to
organize their employees. they refused
our overtures for amicabIe discussing and
possible satisfactory adjustment of wage
differences in joint conference They re-
fused to have any dealings with their en-
ployes except as individuals; they re-
fused concessions and refused arbitra-
ton; they put their backs against the
wall of prejudice and their faces arbi-
trarily against progress. They thought
themselves stronger than the great union
people which is making great strides
throughout the world that while combin
ing their corporations and pooling their
interests in hard and fast alliance they
could deny the men who worked for
them the right TO organize and speak
through their organization.
When the inevitable conflict came on
upon the false plea that ours is an ire
Sponsible orga nization; when we demon
strated our responsibility and reliability
they then asserted that we were a law
less organization which was dominated
by violence. When society attempted 10
interfere 10 settle the strike they de-
clared their divinely appointed right 10 be
let alone. When representatives OF
national and state governments tried to
mediate they resented such 'meddling by
politicians But thanks TO you. Mr.. Pres
i0ent. and to the power of public opinion
they have been brought 10 a realization
of the fact that the interests of welfare
OF the American people cannot be ig-
nored with impunity-
BY the eminent tribunal which you
have named we have confidence that JUS
tice will be done our people. We are glad
TO have a chance to appear before such
court empowered to consider and dispose
of all questions at issue. First among
these is the demand of the mine workers
for increased wages and a reducing Of
the hours of labor: second. is the rela-
ton which ought TO exist between the
employers and the organization which
the men have formed and which they
authorize TO speak for them.
From this arbitration we hope and be-
lieve viii come a complete. satisfactory
and permanent solution of the troubles
which have vexed the anthracite fields
from time immemorial. Respectfully
yours, JOHN MITCHELL.
Pres L. NJ. W. of a"