Evening journal., 1902-07-21
MINERS MAKE
PUBLIC APPEAL
Adopt President MitCheIiS
Plan to Raise Money
De Million Dollars Will Be Raised BY
Assessment and Otherwise 10
Garry on Strike

indianapolis. Ind, July 21.-The ma
tional convention Of the United Mine !
Workers of America adjourned Satur-
day afternoon after unanimously adopt |
ing the plan offered by President |
Mitchell for raising a fund of 100000 |
a week to aid the striking anthracite |
miners. A few changes were made in |
Mitchelrs plan by the special commit
tee, but they relate only to the method |
of assessment. The committees report |
was as follows:
First-That the national secretary !
treasurer of the United Mine Workers
be authorized to appropriate $4,000
from the funds of the national treas
urer for the benefit of the districts l,
and (anthracite districts).
Second-That all districts and sub
districts and local unions be asked to
donate whatever they can afford for
the support of the strike.
Third-That an assessment of 10 per
cent. be levied on earnings of members
where check system is used and at
other mines Of 81 a man every week
This assessment is not to be made
against members of union now on
strike, but to commence when strikes
are over.
Fourth-The assessments to be paid
direct by the local unions to Secretary
Treasurer Wilson.
Fifth-That 25 per cent. be deducted
from the salaries of all national dis.
trict officers and organizers.
Cfxfh-Thaf fha accacqnanf bppin
from July 16.
made by the national organization be
distributed to the anthracite districts
in the ratio shown by the last coal
reports.
Eighth-That each local union be
requested to aid as far as possible in
securing work for men now on strike.
In this connection the good offices Of
the American Federation of Labor will
he requested.
Ninth-That an address be submit
ted to the American people.
The salient points of the address to
the American people are as follows:
The convention of the United Mine
Workers hereby states the line of ac-
tion which it's members are determined
to pursue.
The coal miners of the country re
cognize the marvellous industrial pro
gress of the country during the last
decade. but our labor has produced the
foundation for most of this wealth by
producing the coal which has made the
progress possible. But when the min
ers examine the paltry pittanee they
receive as recompense for the laborE
and dangers they undergo they fee
that they are being dealt with un
justly in payment for so much labor
and so many sacrifices.
The combinations of capital are Sc
powerful that individuals are helpless
and experience shows that when capi
tai combines labor must unite. Tn,
grievances of the miners have forced
them to organize, not to take from tn,
operators what belongs to them. bu
to receive better treatment and fai
remuneration for their labor.
For five years the miners have live,
up TO the letter and spirit of ever,
contract into which they have en-
tered. and do not intend to violate then
now.
The miners believe that the best in
terests Of the country are opposed t
a general strike of the coal miners
and. while they feel that in the pres
ent fight their union may be destroyed
nothing can compel them to brea
their agreements. The miners reques
the American people to bring sue
pressure to bear upon the anthracit
operators and anthracite railroads a
will compel them to submit to arbitr;
tion.
The expenses of the miners call fC
a contribution of S1.O00.O0O per mont
from sources outside the union, an
with this amount the miners are col
fident they can win the anthracit
strike
President Mitchell was in a mos
excellent humor after adjournment. Il
said that results were far beyond h
most sanguine expectations; that h
brother miners not only publicly bl
privately, fully met and indorsed q
Of his recommendations made in h
opening address and assured him
earnest support in views and polici'
that he had expressed outside of u
convention hall. He said he would 7
turn to the anthracite field as soon
possible with all the power and su
port necessary to carry on the strike