The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-02


 Scranton, Pa. August 1.-The first of the strikers mass meetings planned to take place at the various strike centers, was held today in the Round. Woods. There were 1000 strikers present from all parts of the city and the adjoining towns. National President John Mitchell, Dis trict President T. D. Nichol, District Vice-President Adam R. Ryscavage, Dis trict Secretary John Dempsey, Organ izer Mortini Memolo and Sub-District President T. s. Phillips delivered ad- dresses.
 The crowd enthusiastically cheered all the speakers and fairly went wild over Mitchell. When he was introduced to speak some one shouted That's off, and although the suns rays beamed down so intensely that many were carried from the crowd exhausted, every man in the vast assemblage barred his head and re- mained uncovered until his speech was concluded. Then the crowd surged about the platform and shook his Hands until he himself was almost exhausted.
 Mir Mitchelrs speech was brief and dealt only with the live issues of the fight. He said in part:
 Tt has been said by some who are not your friends that the miners of the Scran- ton region are getting tired of the strike and are about to return to work. I come to find out if this is so. I want to know if you are going to work, dis honoring your organization and dishonor- ing your selves"
 Strike Will Continue.
 Cries of never, never" ''no, no,'' ''don't you believe it," and the like.
 "If the strike is lost may God Almighty help the men, women and children who depend for their subsistence on the min ing of anthracite coal. If the strike is lost you will pay the cost of the strike. "I want 70 say that the anthracite miners went on strike themselves. It will never end until you vote 1t ended.
 From the officers of the coal people in New York comes the declaration that the strike will be settled only in their way of settling 1t. I would direct your attention to similar declarations in the 1900 strike. The coal trust may be pow erful and strong, but the American peo- pie whose hearts throb in sympathy than the coal trust. Ninety per cent of the people have agreed that the miners are right and the operators wrong.
 q understand there is some dissatis- faction and misunderstanding about the distribution of the relief fund. The op orators have sent men among you to urge you to be dissatisfied. Through the newspapers they have told you that you were dissatisfied. We have sent cir cular to all the locals which will ex- plain in detail the plans for distributing relief. We have enough to see to it that no miner will starve during the continu- ance of the strike. Loud cheers).
 q want to appeal to men with means to refrain from applying for relief. Let the fund be used by those who are in absolute need of help. Do your share of the work. If we are to win we must all help.
 vioIators of Law Condemned.
 sThe one among you who violates the law is the worst enemy you have. No one is more pleased than the operators in New York to hear of disorder in the coal regions. I want our men to exercise their rights that inure to them under the laws, but I want that no man shall transgress the laws.
 .sThe strike will be won loud and pro- Ionged cheers). I have no more doubt about 1t than have that l am standing here addressing you.
 ssThe operators are trying to make it appear that the strike is beginning to break up. fail to see any signs of weak ening here. Slaughter and applause)
 If you win, which you surely will, there will be no more strikes; there will be a basis of adjustment arrived at which will prevent strikes.
 "If you lose the operators will make you pay for their strike losses by reduo- ing your wages. And If you lose the strike you lose your organization
 Before the handshaking episode had begun, Chairman Phillips asked all who favored a fight to finish to raise their hands. Every hand went up.
 EVERYTHING IS. QUIET;
 EXPLAINS THE ORDER.
 Harrisburg, Pa. August 1.-Governor Stone's general order placing troops on today by Adjutant General Stewart. Or ders also were issued today by Major General Miller formally placing General 7obin in command of the troops.
 The governors advices from the strike region Is that everything is quiet and that there are no signs of further trou- ple The governors statement follows:
 ''Unlawful assemblages of persons have eongregated in some sections of the com monwealth and by acts of violence and disregard of law have taken human life and placed life and property in jeopardy. The civil authorities are unable to pre- serve the public peace. protect life and commonwealth their rights and privileges under the constitution and laws. Law
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