The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-20


ditions of employment. but that they
believe ito be an epporune time TO
destroy the union Whether they have
made this statement or not. their &C.
lions indicate that their purpose rs to
destroy our organization.
II 1t is the purpose Of the coal OPP
orators to destroy our union, then upon
the principle that self preservation is
the first law of nature We would be
fully justified in taking drastic meas
ures TO prevent the accom- pIishment
Of their designs. We believe we have
within our reach means by which that
purpose can be thwarted- No legal
power can compel as to work if we
desire to remain idle.
We believe that our interests in the
community OF which We are a part and
our obligations to the operators with
whom we nave agreements require that
we shall not iEaugurate a general sUs-
pension OF work IN the coal trade They
may destroy our union, but they can
not make us violate our contracts
Power of Public Opinion.
The struggle in the anthracite re-
gion VIII be continued until our de-
nlands have been granted or a compe-
tent board of arbitration has declared
that We are wrong. No class of men
realize more than we do the great
power of public opinion. Its influence
is potent for good or evil, in accord
anee with the manner in which it is
used No right can be secured and
maintained without its support, and no
wrong can long exist that meets with
its concentrated opposition.
Realizing this fact, we appeal to
the people at large to bring all posi-
BILE pressure on the officers and stock
holders of the anthracite coal carry
ing railroads and other anthracite coal
interests to treat considerably the APP
peals of their employees for arbitra-
ton.
THE care of 1906 men and their
families in a protracted struggle such
as this is likely to be, win require
the expenditure of a large sum of
money in the purchase of food. Our
own resources are limited. We have
made a large assessment on those
members who are at work to assist us
in caring for those who are on strike.
I'VE need more money for that pur-
pose, and We appeal TO the trade union
and trade unionist and to every citi-
zen whose interest is involved. and to
every lover of fair play, to assist us
in raising $1,000,000 per month from
outside sources as long as the strike
may last.
1--WE believe that with this amount
of money, together with the amount
received from our own members, we
can continue the struggle until justice
has been secured for the anthracite
miners"
Decision Applauded.
The reading of the report of the com
mittee and the appeal to the public
was listened to in absolute silence, but
as the voice of Secretary Wilson
ceased, there came a tremendous
cheer from the delegates that fore
Swallowed unanimous adoption, which
followed a few minutes later.
The miners of Illinois announced that
they had appropriated $50, 900 from
their treasury for the support of the
anthracite strike. Ohio gave $4,000,
and Iowa and Illinois promised cOntri-
buttons to be made later.
President Mitchell declared that
there was approximately $1.000.00O in
the treasures of the various local
unions, and that his construction of
the clause directing the unions to con-
tribute what they could afford was
one-haIf of this money
The convention WAS adjourned by
the singing of America.
Immediately after the adjournment.
President Mitchell called the meeting
to order again to hear the belated re-
port from committee appointed early
in the week, to prepare resolutions of
coincidence upon the recent mine dis
asters in Pennsylvania and Utah.
The report censures sharply District
Mine Inspector ROberick of Pennsyl-
vania for allowing work TO be com
meneed in a mine before all the corpses
had been removed.
President Mitchell requested that the
report be held until the matter could
be investigated personally by the ofi1-
GERS of the union, and the report was
referred to them for future action.
The convention then adjourned for
the second time.