The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-10-23
MITCHELLSPOSI7ION
The SAske Leader Makes Statement
to the President
IS CONFIDENT OF FINAL OUTCOME.
SAYS That the Timers Convention
VIII Agree to Abide BY Award of
Commission.

of John Mitchell, president of the Uni
ted Mine Workers to President Roose-
velt's notification that he had appoint
ed a commission. was made public
Friday. 1t informs him Of the action Of
the executive board of Districts /. Z
and 9. in calling a convention and
agreeing to recommend unanimously
the resumption of work and the sub
mission of the differences between the
operators and the mine workers Of
the anthracite coal fields" to the COM
mission. The reply expresses conf
dence that the convention will agree
to the arbitration of the eminent and
impartial men" chosen by the Presi-
dent and expresses gratitude to the
President for his patriotic effects to
bring about an honorable settlement
of the strike. The reply goes at length
into the grievances Of the miners and
concludes with the expression Of the
hope and belief that from this arbi-
tration will come "a com tie. salts
factory and permanent solution of the
troubles which have veXed the aIthra-
cite field from time immemorial." The
President, in his telegram to Mr..
Mitchell, announced the appointment
of the commission and said: 1t is a
matter of vital concern to all our peo-
pie and especially to those in our
great cities who are least we'll OH
that the mining Of coal should be re-
sumed without a day Of unnecessary
delay"
Mr.. Mitehell's reply recounts the #
forts of the miners to, secure arbitra-
ton and goes into a defense OF the
union and it's demands. saving: III
our pro.fe- Of arbitration or impartial
investigation had been accepted six
months ago, instead Of now, there
need have been no strike. We have
been so eager, Mr.. President, to re-
spond to the peoples demand for coal.
that during the progress OF the strike
we have more than once offered arbi-
tration, but We have invariably been
met with the reply that we will not
permit outsiders to dictate to us n
the management Of u AFFAIRS. we
have nothing to arbitrats.'
"Now that the managers Of the coN-
panies have been compelled by you
and a thoroughly aroused public con-
science to recede from this position.
We are proud that the frmness and
the heroic endurance of our men and
women in support Of their rights and
Of a vital American principle have
won the victory.
The poor, under-paid mine workers
of these coal regions. who toll hard
from early morning until late at night
for a livelihood, nobody supported b.
organized labor in this and other lands,
have taught these corporation manag-
ers a useful lesson Of civic and social
duty. We exult over this tribute to the
dignity Of labor, because 1t is the tri-
umph of right and Of good public pol
icy.
I'VE do not, however, exult over u
opponents; we appeal to them now. as
we have from the first, to turn their
eyes to the future and to cooperate
with us in an effort to establish better
relations between employer and en-
ployee for the advantage of both.
1--WE forgive them heir arrogant re-
fusal to deal with us, and in this hour
when they are forced to acknowledge
their inability to operate their mines
without our consent and cooperation,
we hold out the right hand OF friend
ship and ask them to join with us In
securing amicable relations and whole
some conditions in this region. We for
give them sven the false accusations
which they made against us. The pre-
tense Of the operators that they were
unable to produce coal because intimi-
dalton kept from work men who were
willing to work, has been proven false
by the fact that the protection which
they demanded has decreased rather
than increased the number Of men
mining coal. The operators declared
! that they would have nothing to do
with the United Mine Workers Of
America, but they have found 1t neces-
sary to recognize the power Of the
United Nine Workers Of America.
through you, Mr.. President, and seek
terms of peace which will enable them
to resume their business Of mining and
selling coal. The recognition Of our
strength thus forced upon the opera
tors by stern necessity we exault over,
not in narrow spirit, but because we
believe It marks q forward step toward
a new era. Upon the foundations laid
through war. we are ready to join with
them In buildiag for better conditions
and a long lasting peace. The United
Mine Workers of America. since its Or
ganization in the anthracite field, has
constantly sought to establish.
First. To be just to both parties.
We have never made demands beyond
the ability Of the industry to pay on
a basis Of equitable division Of profits
between labor and capital.
Second. Amicable relations be-
tween employers and employees, the
latter speaking through their organ
.7ation and their organization aiding
the companies In maintaining dis.
cipline. adjusting all difficulties by
conciliatory methods, averting local
strike and lockouts and securing
stable and satisfactory conditions to
the industry
Our organization by the same
methods which We have proposed
here, has secured just such relations
and just such results on the coal
fields Of the country. Organization,
like an individual, must stand upon