Evening journal., 1902-07-07
MITCHELL SAYS
End IN NEAR
Strike Leader Is Confident
Of Victory
COAL PRICE MAY INCREASE
RafIIa NaW CainT an MOany Iiia ar
Battle Now Going on Means Life OF
Death for Union in anthracite
Region

Wilkesbarro Pa. July 7.-Presldent
Mitchell. of the minors union. left here
yesterday for New York. He slipped
out of town so unexpectedly and so
quietly that only two or three persons
around strike headquarters knew of
his departure. Il is said he went to
the metropolis for the purpose of meet
ing leaders of other labor organiza-
tons. The purpose OF the meeting is
not definitely lnCwh here, but it is
understood to have direct bearing on
the question of labor organizations af-
fliatod with the American Federation
OF Labor assisting the miners union
/ financially. Mr.. Mitchell while in New
York may meet the officials of railroad
unions or other organizations that can
assist his people by other than finan-
cial means. The miners president. it
! is expected, will return here late to-
day. as he has an engagement for to-
morrow to address the delegates OF
| District No. 1, which opened its annual
convention at Nanticoke this morn
ing
Today opened the third month Of the
great strike. There have been many
rumors and opinions published that
certain coal companies would win in
a few days and attempt to start up
one or more collieries. The officials
OF the big companies who are willing
to talk deny all knowledge Of any at
tempt of their respective companies
to start work. They say, however,
that the number of men applying for
work is growing each week. Many OF
them are given employment, and the
names of the others are plaeehon the
4 waiting list The number of miners
among the applicants who are apply
ing for work is very small. and so long
as the miners themselves refrain from
going to the collieries no coal can be
mined.
Company officials who were seen
yesterday were of the opinion that the
b price of coal during the remainder
of this year will not 90 below the
Il present figures, but on the other hand
may go higher One superintendent
was quite emphatic in his reply, by
saying: 81 don't think the price will
/, go down under any condition during
{ this year"
IN addressing the stationary iremen
Saturday afternoon, President Mitch
ell said:
81 am we'll pleased with the showing
made by the steam men in obeying
the strike order and the frmness dis
played by them since. This is the
battle of our lives, as it means the
success or downfall of our union in
the anthracite region. OF all the
strikes Of my recollection or OF any
that I ever participated in, there
never was one that I was so confident
of winning as this one. And let me
tell you that the day is not far away
when my words will come true.
"Those fellow-workers among your
craft who refused to obey the strike
order, and those few who deserted you
since will have reason to regret their
action, as they viii suffer greatly
+ when this strike is won or lost, as
= have yet to meet the man who prefers
traitor to a good, upright, honest
r man, and those men who are now get
. ting patted on the back by the Off
cials of the coal companies will. al
4 the close of our strike, be treated with
scorn by their employers, and one
thing that I wish to impress upon you
! people. and that is, this great strike
will never be settled with my consent
!. only on condition that each and every
e man that left his place with us in oHl
T battle shall be returned to his former
? position; otherwise, there shall be nc
!, settlement that will permit discrimi
a nation for taking an active part IN
our battle"