The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-10-18

handed has decreased rather than increased
Tie humber o. men Turning coal; A blnd, q
70 GG S.r n %os ssvs ess sp
reason that the men who. work them are
members OF the United, Mine W9rkers Of
America. men who were deter mined 70 stand
70 the last for their rights to organize ~ d
through their xaDization 20 demand better
msse' % fSq Misrepresentation "d
them into surrender They stood shoulder
The operators declared that they would
have nothing TO do with the United Mine
WORKER OF America. but they have iPund
United Mine Workers of America through
you. Mr., President. and 70 seek term. OF
their business oil mining and selling coal
The recognition OF our strength thus forced
upon tn operators by stern necessity we
because W. believe II marks forward step
toward new era. Upon the foundations
them In building for better condit ions and
long and lasting peace o,,. -, .,.r,o.
since its Organization in the anthracite field
has constantly sought TO establish:
Fir.t-Fsir wages and lust end. Of labor.
We We never made de nands beyond the
saatsbie division Of profits between labor
second Amicsble relations between en-
ployers and EMPLOYEES. the latter speaking
gani,htion aiding the companies IN main-
taining discipline. adiusting all difficulties
by ooncilisto,ry nethodsd sa avertins locsi
and satisfactory csnd itions to the industry.
our organization. b" the same methods
Nhc y" sG,G pIopossea here c6 has
the coal fields of the country. An . ganI/"-
tion. like ar individual must stand upon
Ne invt ".' s %p ' and INV rstion 'e Of
our record and Character. In the soft -coIl
fields We have Joint confcrsnces with the
operat ors nDd with them We nd llst din erences,
We sign joint agreements: together We pre-
serve discipline. settla disputes and main
'a haTs anp ne m me
to inquire Of I've soft coal operators how we'll
they arc leased With their cuisines; re-
lstionS with u-, whether or not We keep
agreements and render satisfactory ser
VICE for wages paid TO our members one
business man might thus learn OF another
" al is the "Naracicr OF our organization.
Many. soft coal operators have publicly
declared that they would not dispense with
our cooperation and would deem IL dis
aster il compelled to get back TO the chaotic
conditions which existed when their abor
was unorganized.
stand or fall We have. time and time again.
invited TIE anthracite operators 70 adopt
OH THE basis. Despite repeated rebuns We
persisted but they resented any attempt
upon our part to organlze their employers:
discussion and possible satisfactory ADJUST
inent OF wage difference. in Joint conference.
They refused TO have any deal ines with their
employees except as individuals. they refused
concessions and refused arbitration: they
put their backs against the wall OF prejudice
and theiriiaces arbitrarily agains, progress:
t"ey thought Themselves stronger than the
great union principle which j. making such
strides throughout the world; that. while
combining their corporations and pooln g
their IT., crest III hard -and-fast alliance. they
could deny tho men who worked for them
Tie. rig I to orcanize and speak through
their organization.
when the Inevitable conflict came or. they
attempted 70 justify themselves upon the
raniza,ion. When We aemonstpated our
responsibility and reliability they then as
serted serted ,ha, We were lawisss oIgsnizavtlon
society attenpled 70 interfere to settle the
strike they declared their divinely appointed
right to be let alone When representatives
Of 9atonsl and STATE tried 70 20
politicians" But. thanks to you, Mr.. Presi-
dent. and TO the power Of public opinion,
they have been brought to realization OF
American people cannot be ignored with I'M
punity
BY the eminent tribunal which you have
he done our people. We are s.sd to have
4 chance to appear before such court EN-
powered to consider and dispose of all Ques.
tons at issue. First among these is the
demand OF the mine workers for Increased
wages and reduction in the hours OF labor.
second. is the relations which ought TO exist
between the employers and the organi zat ion
which the men have formed and which they
authorize to speak for them,
From this arbitration We hope aud believe
will com" o complete satisfactory and per-
veYed the anthracite field from time i'm
John MITCHELL.
President United Mine Workers Of America.