The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-12
TWO OPEN STATEMENTS
MIR. MITCHELL SPEAKS OF THE IN
DIANAPoLIs CONVENTION.
Head OF the Citizens Alliance Replies
TO Structures in NItcheIl's Speech
some Important Requests.

WILKEsBARRE Pa. July 1l.-For the
first time since the mine workers decided
to hold a special national convention Pres
Ident Mitchell to-day consented TO say
something for publication about the gather
ing He said IL was utterly impossible TO
forecast the action of the convention. From
his remarks IL il almost certain the con-
vention will do one of only two things
either decide on general suspension or
provide a defense fund for the anthracite
strikers.
IL feel certain. he said that in the
event OF 1t being inadvisable TO insugurate
a national strike provisions will he made 10
contribute ample funds to carry the strike
on to certain victory. The sympathy OF the
entire labor world is with the anthracite
miners and from all parts OF our country
we are receiving assurances OF financial
and moral support. These assurances are
not confined to wage earners alone Many
men and women have offered financial as
sistance 10 the strikers. and | feel conf
dent that the strike will prove success.
regardless of whether national strike
takes place The declaration of the rail-
road presidents that there is nothing TO
arbitrate, and their persistent refusal To
treat considerably with US for a solution
of the trouble, is repugnant TO the Amer
lean people sense of right. and this action
is eliminating in many offers Of sympathy
and assistance from the general public.
j. Ridgway Wright, OF this city. the lead
er OF the Citizens Alliance. which was re-
Gently organized in this vicinity, to-day
sent an open letter to President Mitchell,
I'm which he calls the latter's attention 10
alleged intimidations boycotting and other
annoyances practiced on all persons who
are working In the mines. lie pays triD-
ute 10 organized labor generally for the
good IL has done. and reminds Mr. MitcheiI
that every man has light To work or
remain idle as he sees mt. In concluding
his communication. Leader Wright says:
I'VE. therefore. appeal TO you 10 declare.
THAT the highways are free 10 all who
desire 70 work, notwithstanding "A strike IL
in progress.
THAT boycotts against any business or
professional man on the ground OF service
rendered To nonunion workers con-
demned by the union.
THAT hanging in efigy, the digging OF
mock graves and every other form OF vio-
lence, threat and libel are condemned by
the union.
That strikers who participate in any OF
the offenses thus itemized will be held re-
spOnsible 10 the union for all disturbances,
unlawful boycotts. in which either they
themselves or their wives and children par
ticipate
Referring TO your speech al Nanticoke,
we call your attention. TO the error on
which IL is based. The Citizens Alliance
/ Is not an adjunct 10 or organized by OPP
| orators. Its membership OF more than
| $500 is In sympathy with unorgsnized Ia
| Dor. but over and above il and above all
ganized society. We are not the proper
! subjects OF criticism because We took no
! part In trying TO suppress evils which are
said to have occurred long before the al
lance was formed. nor are we the subject
| OF criticism because we saw need for an
/ alliance among citizens 10 repress boy
colts which you say occurred. but were
] limited TO operators and miners I'm their
struggle with one another.
I But when the boycott raises it's head
against the private right OF Deutrals. and
| when lawlessness destroys property.
| threatens arson and murder and takes the
| form of actual rioting. IL il the right and
| the duty of neutrals and citizens generally
| to organize in self-defense and for the
| maintenance of public order and are
| justified i'm inviting cooperation from
/ both sides in the existing strike"
For the first time in Ave weeks the
| pumps Of the Stanton mine of the Lehigh
! and Wilkesbarre Coal Company were put
| in operation to-day and the work Of pump
! ing the water out OF the mine begun. Ever
| since the strike began this coliery has
! been a target for the strikers and their
| sympathizers. The boy Mccain was shot
/ there and several attempts were made 10
burn outbuildings within the Enclosure.