Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-04


almost to despair and desperation simply
because they seek to exercise their plain.
simple right and duty Of working at their
chosen avocation, or, in many cases, of
protecting and saving from destruction by
fire, flood or dynamite the properties of other
citizens, their employers, who are only en-
deavoring lawfully and peacefully to main
tain possession of, protect and operate their
properties. This duty is so Enthusiastically
plain that he who runs may read.
Power Of the State Involved.
1T is first and foremost our duty, and we
take this occasion to state it. and press 1t
upon your considera ton, and through you
upon that of the authorities of the state of
pennsylvania, to insist upon it that the ex-
lst1ng conditions of anarchy and lawless-
ness, OF riot and rapine, a condition which
has been raging with more or less violence
throughout the anthracite regions during
the past hve months, be Immediately and
permanently suppressed. That to this end
we ask that the entire authority and power
of the state of Pennsylvania, civil and mill
tary, and, If needs be, that of the United
States government as well, be exercised
forthwith
Second. We ask that the civil branch of
the United States government, taking cog
nizance of and following the decisions of
it's courts rendered in litigation growing
out of previous similar conditions, at once
institute proceedings against the Illegal or
ganization known as the United Mine
Workers Association, it's well-known off,
GERS, agents and members to enjoin and re-
strain permanently it and them from con-
tinuing this organization. and requiring
them to desist Immediately from conspir-
ing, conniving, aiding or abetting the out
lawry and intolerable conditions in the an
thracite regions, for which they and they
our counsel that such civil action will lie
on the part of the United States govern
ment, as it Is we'll known that United States
statutes are daily being openly and grossly
;.la Tod. hat of,s0 ~ fhn
courts justify fully such action being taken
at this time, and that ample remedy can
be given Immediately and effectively for
existing conditions. We feel it our duty,
Mr.. President, to at this time urge that the
protection Of the laws of the United States
be forthwith given our property and our
employees, as suggested above Can it be
expected that those who now daily fla
grant violatorS of the laws. state and ma
tional, who have no respect for the rights
of persons, property. order or good morals.
will be bound by the decision of any COM
mission or body of men which has no power
authority to compel compliance there
with. We know they will not be.
Third Then, Mr.. President, there is a
great pressing duty imposed upon us at
this time to the thousands Of true, loyal
citizens of Pennsylvania who have been
lawfully pursuing their various avocations
or professions under great difficulties, and
who with great acrifice have been abused,
villified, boycotted and in many cases al
most ruined because they had the manhood
to raise their voices against the illegal acts
and violences Of this illegal organization
and it's officers and agents No step can
be taken by us, Mr.. President which can
possibly result in placing these good citi-
zens of Pennsylvania at the further mercy
of this illegal organization, it's officers and
members Think of it, Mr.. President, ply
Sicians have been threatened and boycotted
because they saw fit to minister to the dy-
ing child of some poor worker because he
exercising his God-given right to labor
for his family and to provide for the wants
of his dying child. Members of the clergy
have been treated likewise for performing
the offices of the dead to the member of a
family of non-union worker. The condi-
tons there are simply indescribable. and it
is hard to believe that they can possibly
exist to the extent that they have any
where in this free country.
Fourth Another duty, Mr.. President
and regard it as the most supreme.
One-sixth of the membership Of this illegal
organization is composed Of young men and
boys between the ages Of fourteen and
twenty, the future citizens and lawmakers
Of the great state Of Pennsylvania. These
young men and boys during the past two
years have had their young, immature
anarchistc distorted, wicked views and er
rors concerning the rights Of citizenship
and property that any one possibly can
conceive Of; all through the teachings and
practice of the officers, organizers and
apostles of the United Mine Workers AS
ISOLATION. Mr.. President, no adjustment
of this matter can be thought of which by
any possibility can result in further
Strengthening and fixing in the minds of
this youthful element in the anthracite coal
fields the belief that the teachings Of this
organization and its officers, with their acts
and doings in support thereof, constituting
the ethics and objects Of American citizen
ship frequently referred to during the past
weeks in proclamations issued in behalf Of
this illegal organization The consequences
that may result to the coming generation
in the anthracite coal regions as the result
OF existing conditions there are fraught
with the gravest dangers to the stability
and perpetuity of this country and its In
situations
Opposition to Mine Workers Associa-
ton.
Fifth and finally, Mr.. President. As
plain citizen of these United States, looking
at the whole question broadly and with ref
erence to its possible effect on our future
welfare and prosperity, 1 think it my
bounden duty to resist and combat with
every power and faculty, both physical and
mental, the avowed and evident object and
ISOLATION, as exemplified in the anthracite
district Of Pennsylvania today and as
taught and defended by its officers and
other opponents of it's well-known and So
called purposes and principles.
Mr.. President, l am no enemy Of organ
lied labor. when so organized as to pro-
mote the real interests Of the labOrtng man
and when in accomplishing this lawful,
legitimate methods are pursued. do, how
ever, oppose the United Mine Workers As
socia ton because many of its aYowed pur-
poses are absolutely at variance with the
spirit OF our laws and institutions. because
its officers and members are not content to
be governed by the same laws and like ad-
ministration thereof as other citizens of this
country. AS witness Of this, see the condi-
lions today in Pennsylvania with the Mine
Workers Association In full control of the
large body of Its members, violating every
principle of our government and our laws
pertaining to the rights Of persons and prop
erty.
THE same condition exists today in Ten
nessee or Alabama, where the members of
this organization have but recently gone on
strike. This same condition existed in
Kentucky for about two years, where this
organization was m control. and where its
members practiced the same unlawful meth
DDS as are being followed in Pennsylvania
today. Mr.. President. we firmly believe
that any adjustment of this matter as has
been suggested here today Will only result
in perpetuating conditions that are utterly
abhorrsnt to any good American citizen
and most intolerable and damaging to the
interests which / represent. We cannot,
therefore, concur therein"
Statement nv Mr. Wilcox