The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-20
MINERS MEET To FINISH IT.


now passed into history. Imprinted in
delibIy upon the hearts of our people
are the memories of SufferingS and
hardships which have been and are be-
ing endured. For five long months the
eyes of the nation have been centered
upon your actions and it is a pleasure
to say that the great heart of the
American people throbbed in sympathy
with you. 1t is. Of course. a source of
deem regret that the millions of under
paid workmen of our great cities should
be the most acute sufferers by reason of
this contest between ourselves and our
employers. But strange as it may ap-
pear hundreds upon hundreds of those
who suffered from lack of fuel sent
words of commendation and encourage
ment to us and in many instances de-
clared that they would endure any pri-
walton in order that the miners and
their families might secure a sufficient
wage to enable them to enjoy a little
happiness and sunshine instead of the
gloom and sadness which has been their
lot for many years.
"The debt of gratitude we owe fellow
workers in this and other lands. the
public and a friendly press who have
supported and sustained us during this
memorable strike. can never be ade-
quately repaid.
For our opponents we entertain no
feeling of malice While they have
motives and sought the victory by
methods which we should scorn to use.
yet on this day when we have secured
an advance of redress, on this day when
the realiZatiO of our hopes and ambi-
tiOns seem near, when the prospect of a
brighter and happier future seems as
sured, we should hold cut to them the
hand of friendship and ask them to join
us in providing for such business rela-
tions as shall for all time establish
fTl in 1a field
The day is past when great organi-
cations of capital can maintain the false
position when their employees shall be
denied the right to organize into COM
pact bodies and speak through the or
ganizations of which they are mem
bers. We recognize the right of capital
to consolidate, to federate and to speak
and act through its organization. but in
according these rights and privileges to
capital we demand and shall assert the
same privilege for those who toll. Be
tween the combination of capital on the
one hand and the organization of labor
on the other should be and need be no
irrecOnciliahle conflict; each is a factor
in the economic development of our civ
ilization, and the application in business
judgment and plain common sense by
each would enable them to work in
harmony. While the interests of labor
ard capital are not by any means iden-
tical they are, nevertheless, reciprocal;
each is dependent upon the other and
under our form of government one can
not prosper without the other. Abraham
Lincoln truly said that Capital is the
fruit of labor and could not exist if la
Dor had not first existed; labor there
fore, deserves the first consideration ,
That this fund of mental principle will
be recognized, By the tribunal selected
by the president of the United States ]
have no reason to doubt.
The grave question which you have
been called upon to consider today de-
mands and must receive your most
careful thought. Personally, 1 should
have preferred an adjustment of the
difficulties existing in the anthracite
field by conference with the anthracite
mine owners and without the interVen-
tion Of agencies not directly involved,
but recognize the fact that relations
between ourselves and the opera tors
have become so strained as to render
! direct negotiation at this time impOssi-
/ BILE If the consequences of this strike
| affected only the interests Of the opera
tors and mine workers, there would be
| less reason for the intervention of a
third party; but the fact that a coal
famine was upon the people of eastern
and seaboard states and threa tened to
become national calamity. justifies the
action of the chief executive of our ma
| tlon in his earnest effort to bring about
an early resumption of mining.
The proposition submitted for your
! consideration may have Objectionable fea-
| lures and in its detail may not meet with
the unanimous approval of our pc ople, bat
! 1t is iTnmeasurably better as now presen--
| ed than when originally offered by the
| representatives. of the coal corporations.
] am firm in my convictions that the
prompt acceptance of this proposal will se-
cure to the anthracite mine workers and
| those dependent upon them in a greater
! measure of justice than they could attain
/ by continuing the conflict L believe that the
/ prompt acceptance of this proposition will
secure to the mine workers n greater ae-
gree of Justice than they have enjoyed in
The people of our country await with
! anxious expectarce the result nf your &C
! tlon today; the eyes of the nation are GEN.
! tered upon you and friends and foes alike
| demand the submission of issues involved
/ IN this strike TO the tribunal nominated by
/ the president of the United States. Tha1
! there are ,HscorCant elements in this con
veption: that there are dissatisfied ones At
home, / am fully aware; but, gentlemen
with all tie earnestness of which l am
| possessed, | III &C that you give your ap-
/ proval to the action of your executive Of
| 1ccls who have recommended accep eptance
| Of the proposition that the strike be de-
! clared off and all men are then to return
to worl. in the positions and working
places occupied by them prior TO the in
auguration of the strike ana that all ques-
tons at issue be submitted for adjust
mcnt to the tribunal selected by the pres
! ident of the United States"
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Wilkesbarre, Oct. 20.-The convention
was called to order at 2:10 D. m.
Mitchell and Wilson were elected per-
manent chairman and secretary respec-
1 lively.
President Mitchell reached the thea
ter at 2:S0 short after his election as
president. He was greeted with great
cheers
President Mitchell began his opening
speech a 2:4O D. m.
UP TO THE MINERS.
During the recess an expression on ths
outlook was sought from Mr.. Mitchell
He shook his head and said:
Il have nothing to say at this time
The outlook. in fact the whole situa tioI
IS N the hands OF the delegates. They
ordered the strike and they must de
eide what course to pursue"
While President Mitchell is extremelN
non-committal in all that he says. ti1er'
is not the slightest doubt in the mind.
IF Of f-f1- I,