The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-18

members of his organization, there will be no general strike of the organization. The chances of such a step being taken now are very remote. In his speech in the convention this afternoon, MT. Mitch ell advised strongly against a strike, that the bituminous miners continue at work, and that system of assessment upon the members of the order, which he outlined be carried into effect as the best means of affording aid and support to the striking anthracite men in the East
 His recomme ndaitions, if adopted by the convention this afternoon, would have settled the entire question for which the convention was called. and an immediate adjournment would have followed. A motion to adopt the suggestions of Presi- dent Mitchell provoked a long debate, in which the general sentiment was against the ordering of strike. The men from the anthracite regions finally made a re- quest that they be allowed to hold a cau- GUS to determine upon an expression of opinion, as to what they thought the con- vention should do. and asked an adjourn ment of the convention for this purpose.
 
 Journment taken.
 Anthraciters are Divided.
 The men who were in favor of strike were in a decided minority in the con- vention. Three speeches were made by members of the anthracite districts ask ing that the soft coal men walk out, and twice as many were made by anthracite men, urging the soft coal men to continue at work. The convention was called to order at 10 a. m. by President Mitchell. The reading of reports of various com mittees occupied nearly the entire morn ing session
 When the convention met in the after noon, motion was made and carried that the convention go at once into executive sessicn. John P. Reese of Iowa moved a reconsideration of the vote by which this action was taken, declaring that in view of the momentous issues depending upon the action of the convention, secret ses- sions were undesirable.
 The entire country is watching this convention" said MT. Reese. and we must take no chances of being placed be- fore the country in Q wrong light. If we so into executive session. the newspapers will get in just the same. The papers always get the proceedings of the con- vcntion when it goes into executive ses- sion, and they always will, even if they have to buy their news from some of the gentlemen who are in favor of an execu- tive session..
 Reese Carried the Day.
 The speech of MT. Reese carried the day, the vote was re-considered and it was decided that the meetings of the con vention would be open to the public
 President Mitchell then delivered his ad- dress which was as follows:
 f'CIeptIemep-Tp ODpOiDa this convention I deem it my duty to make few pre- liminary remarks. and to suggest, in a series of recommendations the policy which would. in my judgment, best pro- tect the interests of the striking anthTa- cite mine workers and preserve unim- paired the integrity of our entire organi- zation.
 Tn determining the grave and impor- tant question which now confronts yCu- namely, the advisability of inauguriting a national suspension of coal mining in defence of our struggling fellow workers in the anthracite field of Pennsylvania it Is imperative that you should weigh with the greatest possible care the mo- mentous problem with which you have to deal; neither passion nor prejudice should Influence your action in any particular.
 'I sincerely trust that your decision. whatever it may be- shall carry hope and inspiration to that great army of rlen, women and children in the anthracite fields. who are watching and praying in expectation that this assembly will devise some measure which shall prove suf- fcient to enable them to obtain living wages and humane. American conditions of employment.
 Expects a Victory.
 Personally wish to impress upon ycu A realization of the fact that their sCc- cesses will be your successes and their defeat will be your defeat; moreover, the destruction of the United Mine Workers orga nization in the anthracite fields of Pennsylvania would prove the greatest possible shock to the American trade union movement. The eyes of the entire nation are centered upon that contest, the hearts of all liberty-loving, p1triotic citizens beat in sympathy with It, and I feel sure that a great victory will be achieved if the coal miners themselves will set the example and take the lnltia- tive by doing their full duty.
 q have been so closely assOci1ted with the struggles of the anthracite mine workers, have taken such part in thelr successes and failures and have felt so keenly their joys and sorrows, that 1t grieves me more than language can eN- press to say that my views are not In
 
 some in favor of national suspension of coal mining; but much as I cherish the esteem, friendship and confidence ot my subordinates. signally I cannot and C'ill not forfeit my right to that esteem, con- fdence and friendship hy subordinating my personal conviction of the right aud advocating policy which would, in the end. bring disaster and dishonor upon the organization ever whose destiny it is my privilege to preside.
 Sacredness of Contracts.
 ''I have. during my life in the labor movement. declared that contracts mutually made should during their life: he kept inviolate; and while at times it may appear to the superficial observer, CT to those immediately concerned that ad- vantage could he gained by setting agree vnents aside, such advantage, if rain1d u,oiId in the very nature of things. he temporarv. and would ultimately result in disaster. because a disregard oG con- tracts strikes at the very vitals of or s-anized labor The effect of such action you'd bo to destroy confidence. 10 array ,n omen hostility to our cause all forces of society. and to crystalize public scnti- went in opposition tc our movam ant.
 "svmpathetic strikes have many adhe- vents and the advocacy of such methods appeals to those who. being directly in-
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