The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-18
PRESIDENT MITCHELL'S ADVICE
He Is Opposed to sympathetic Strikes
and Violation of Contracts.


and Violation of Contracts.
Indianapolis, July 1S.-The convention
OF the United Mine Workers yesterday de-
cided to hold open meetings. President
Mitchell in his address said:
I have, during all my life in the labor move
ment declared that contracts mutually made
should during their life be kept inviolate;
and, while at times it may appear to the su-
perfcial observer to those Immediately
concerned that advantage could be gained by
setting agreements aside, such advantage, II
gained, would, in the very nature of things,
be temporary, and would ultimately result in
disaster, because a disregard Of contracts
strikes at the very vitals of organized labor.
The effect OF such action would be to destroy
confidence, TO array in open hostility to our
cause all forces Of society, and to crystalline
public sentiment in opposition to our move
ment.
Sympathetic strikes have many adherents,
and the efficacy OF such methods appeals
strongly to- those who, being directly in
volVed in trouble, do not always recognize
the effect of thsr action upon the public
mind; but the past history Of the labor move,
ment teaches lessons that should not be for
gotten to-day. AS far my knowledge goes,
/ do not know of one solitary sympathetic
strike. OF any ma gnitude which has been sue
cessful; on the contrary, the most consptcu
Gus among the .synlpathetic labor struggles
have resulted in ignominious and crushing
defeat, not only for the branch OF industry
originally involved, but also for the division
participating through sympathy. In my judg-.
ment the United Mine Workers should not re-
peat the mistakes which-like milestones-
mark the path trod by the toiling masses in
their never-ceasing struggle for better and
higher civilization.
If this convention acts wisely If it legis-
lates judiciously, l feel confident that public
sentiment will be SO concentrated against the
thraoite coal operators that they will be forced
to yield and to make a settlement with their
employees which shall insure living wages
and fair conditions of employment, and estab
1ish a basis for future adjustment OF wage
questions that shall render strikes, with their
attendant slfferings and losses, unnecessary.
l am firm in my conviction that the strike
in the anthracite fields can and will be won
without repudiating solemn contracts with
the b1tunlinous operators, provided the titu-
minous miners will rise to the occasion and
do their full duty by their struggling fellow
workers. t..
. The speech was greeted with great ap
.plause from both anthracite and BIZ
luminous miners.
~~' President Ryan of the Illinois miners,
offered motion, which was promptly
seconded, that the recommendations be
adopted. The question was just being
put when a delegate rose to ask for in
IOIndLlOu, anu Iueue UeSdu Lie uSUdtS
which continued until adjournment.
Several Of the anthracite men spoke Of
o desire to hold a caucus to enable them
to act as a unit in presenting their de-
mands to the convention. Mr.. Ryan OF
Illinois, offered to withdraw his motion
that the recommendation of the presi-
dent be adopted, until the anthracite men
could hold caucus, and President Mitch
ell said that if the anthracite men
wished the hall for the purpose of hold
ing a separate session they could have it.
Action of the Caucuses.
The Iowa miners held a caucus in the
evening and decided to uphold the action
Of President Mitchell.
The. action of the caucuses last night
made a general strike practically out OF
the question, as the anthracite men can
not carry their point without the aid OF
Illinois, and with that state and Iowa and
Ohio against them, there is no apparent
manner in which strike can be ordered.