The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-07-23
NO STRIKE IN B|TuM|NOUS FIELD.
CONTRACTS WILL STAND.
President Mitchell Asks Financial
Support only-Miners VIII Give
Ten Per Cent OF Wages.

The first days session Thursday Of
the extraordinary convention OF the
United Mine Workers of America
demonstrated that the crisis has been
passed and the possibility OF ma.
tional strike, Affecting about 100000
miners throughout the mining regions
of the country. has been eliminated.
Following n course that was not alto.
gether unexpected. Immediately after
the routine business preliminary 10
the actual work of the assembly was
dispused of, President Mitchell, In an
address representing his own convic'
tions. practically gave voice to the
keynote ~ the conventions sentl.
ment. He said In part: MY Views
are not In accord with those of some,
to declare n general strike. have,
IN all my career In labor work, de-
clared that contracts should be kept
as long as their lives last. Any al.
vantages gained In breaking contracts
result In disaster Such course
would destroy confidence and array
against our cause all classes of so
clety. As far as my knowledge goes,
| do not know of one solitary sym.
pathetic strike of any magnitude
which has been successful. On the
contrary, the most conspicuous among
the sympathetic labor struggles have
resulted In ignomlnous and crushing
defeat, not only for the branch of In
dustry originally involved. but also
for the divisions participating
through sympathy. In my judgment
the United Mine Workers should not
repeat the mistakes which. like mile
stones mark the path trod by the toll.
ing masses in their nevcrceasing
struggle for better and higher civil.
zntion. This. like all great progress
sive movements, has met with re-.
pulse. but, gathering new strength in
adversity moves forward and onward
again In its march to ultimate victory.
| am firm In my conviction that the
strike in the anthracite field can and
will be won without repudlatlng our
solemn contracts with the bltuminous
operators. provided the bltumlnous
miners will rise to the occasion and
do their full duty by their struggling
fellow.workers; and with this IN mind
] submit for your consideration tho
following specific recommendations
"An appropriation of $4,000 from the
national funds to be placed at the
disposal of Districts |, and y. All
district, sub.district and local unions
Will be appealed to to donate from
their treasury surplusses as large
amounts as possible. An assessment
Of not less than 81 week be levied
on all members of local unions, the
amount TO be collected at the earliest
possible moment and forwarded to the
national treasurer An assessment of
25 per cent he levied on all national
district and sub-district officers whose
salaries amount to $50 month or
more. That all American trade unions
and the general public be appealed to
for financial assistance to carry the
strike TO successful issue. Although
the utmost secrecy surrounded the
meeting II was learned upon high au-
thorty that the anthracite miners
finally voted to approve President
care of the national organization now
will he to see to the collection of the
defense fund. Secretary Wilson, who
is the financial head of the union. will
be in charge of this work II Is be-
lieved that all the voluntary contribu-
tions from the various districts and
sub-districts and local organizations
will be turned into his hands within
the next ten days. These contribu-
tions are estimated at about S4O0, 900.
A systematic method will be adopted
for canvassing outside subscriptions
in the large cities. The miners hope
10 raise $250,000 q week for the pub
lie contributions, as that much will be
needed to bring the sum up to $500 900.