The Washington times., 1902-10-21

their feet several men who favored
standing by President Mitchell. They
declared that he had led them success
was best for them. 1t was for the honor
of the union they declared, that the men
should vote for returning to work, and il
a few did not get work they SHOULD be
willing to sacrifice themselves for the
| good of the cause.
Up jumped delegate from local in
the Schuylkill region.
There are four of Us delegates here,
he cried, "and not one of us has taken
a cent of relief since the strike COM
all we ask of the convention is that our
members be assured they will get work.
There are number of scabs in the
mine where We come from. Do you sup
pose that We are going back TO work
alongside them. No, gentlemen; we are
not. If you can't get them out of the
mines, give our local chance.
A Threat to Kill.
"If we have got to go back with those
men, God help us. / tell you now, we
will never go back until we clear these
people out. Just give us chance;
tell us to go ahead We did it in 1901.
and We can do it now. Give us the
power, because, II you don't, We will
kill every one of them
President Mitchell frowned at this
threat, but the words were cut
cool-headed delegate arose
I'VE are suspicious lot he said.
I'VE think the operators are going to
do whole lot against us, and We are
not inquiring into the conditions sug
gest that our president give us further
information concerning their intentions
as far as he knows them
Mr.. Mitchell's Announcement.
Mr.. Mitchell arose, and then came the
cold, clearly stated, and emphasized fact
that some of them might not get work.
He said:
Gentlemen of the convention: desire
10 inform you that the president of your
organization has done all he could TO
learn the attitude of the companies to-
ward the men who are now on strike.
AS you know. the companies refuse
direct negotiations with us. Through
Intermediates we have received as
surances that the companies are going
to meet the issues fairly. that they are
not disposed TO blacklist the men; that
they do not propose to be vindictive:
that as far as possible men are to be
returned to their old places.
1T may take some time before that
can be brought about. and it may be
that some few men will not be restored
to their former positions at all. When
you vote on this proposition you must
do it with as full knowledge of the situ-
alton as | can give you.
Now. let me emphasize this point.
The poorest boy that worked in a
breaker is as dear TO us as the man who
ran the best engine; that while we shall
try with all the power we have to get
every man that struck back TO his old
job, we will make special efforts for
none and show especial favors TO none.
We want the engineers. and the firemen.
and the pumpmen.. and the inspectors.
and the bosses to go back. but we don't
want them TO 90 back one bit more than
we want the little breaker boys to go
back.
No Sympathetic Strike.
There was no single class of work
men who went out ON sympathetic
strike. Every man who struck struck
for wages; he struck for exactly the |
same things the miners and the mine
laborers struck for. AS far as 1t is
within the power of the union we shall
afford protection 10 every man. union
or non-union. who came out on strike
with us.
But gentlemen. it may be true that |
tome will be sacrificed. and. much as We |