New-York tribune., 1902-07-10
SAYS STRIKERS WILL WIN.
MITCHELL CHARACTERIZES REPORT OF
COLLAPSE AS SILLY-LEGISLATION
MINERS WILL SEEK.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

Wikesbarre, Penn. July Sat the convention Of
the United Mine Workers OF the First District at
Nanticoke to-day President Mitchell made his first
address to the strikers since the strike began He
was received on the platform with cheering. and
his speech was repeatedly applauded- lie devoted
much Of IL attack the Citizens Alliance.
saying that while its alleged purpose is for the
maintenance Of law and order. il really is cloak
under which so-caled citizens Joined forces with
The coal operators in damnable effort TO crush
the miners.
He asked why the alliance did not proceed against
the Coal Trust when il threatened to close the
mines Of individual operators year ago upon
their granting the eigh; hour demand to the fire
men. and he also asked if the alliance was endeav-
OTing prevent the illegal efforts of the corpora
tons the defeat of every candidate for the
legislature who advocated favored labor meas
ufes at the session
He declared that statements ennanating from the
operators about the breaking up of the strike were
groundless. and said they had organized press
bureau to publish matter for injurng and discour-
aging the strikers He ended by stating:
Permit me to warn you. and through you the
mine workers OF the anthracite region, tnat no at
tentiOn whatever should te paid the silly reports
thai being sent out that the strike is about 10
sam nTirio nanti W from eXacIW the same
source, have Deen made through the columns of
ihe press each day durIng the iast month. and yet
remain .e ale Is until Gi' ihis a ltrike t is is Won
In all experience in the labor movement /
have netel participated IN strike IN ~llch I IeIi
confident OF success. If our membership Will
SlsnO, know Ihtg WILL We SMALL III the iol uIS-
The right OF the coal miners 10 receive for honest
wage TO enable them TO i've maintain and edu-
cate their families and ENJOY of the pleas
uTes OF our civilization.
The delegates, who represent some seventy-fve
thousand members. ended their convention this
afternoon, after declaring in strong resolutions
their intention 10 encourage from their ranks
10 become candidates for the Legislature and aid
all who are pledged to their support. The resolu-
declared the ions control
The legislature. The miners believe they OBJ
tain more by legislation than they by lighting
for IL, as they noN, by strikes. AS they con
uol directly 5000 votes in Luzerne and Lack
awanna counties and -00O00 throughout the
entire anthracite region, they can. If an organized
effort is made. elect all their candidates from the
region. The laws that the miners will strive 10
have passed, President Mitchell says,
An eight hour working day act
An establishing OF coal mined and
paid for at 22+o pounds, and not at an increased
number OF pounds. as at present is the condition
A company liability law, which shall make the
corporations responsible for damages in the event
Of men being injured or about the mines
An act proyolng for the election of mine in
An act providing that coal and iron policemen
shall be men OF average moral standing.
Sheriff Schadt of Lackawanna County announced
to-day that he had been threatened with arrest by
Burgess John J Mangan, of Oyphant. if he goes
into that borough and aroqses any more excite ,
strike sympathizers the Sheriff and his deputies
have been called upon TO suppress violence and
prevent attacks upon the mine workers and the
company property, owing 10 the failure of the
oca authorities disperse the crowds. The Sheriff
Nhen asked what he was going TO do about Man
gan's threat laughed, and said he would not lose
any sleep il.
Yesterday Henry White, who offered TO President
Mitchell me aid the American Federation of
Labor in contributing a strike fund the striking
miners stated that the offer was contingent upon
the union declaring a national strike at the
indianapolis convention. Mr.. Mitchell did not see
this until this morning. and he was much annoyed
That statement he said. lis the personal opinion
of Mr. White, and does come from the Fedora
non. nor authorized by il. In his conference
with me yesterday Mr.. White made mention of
IL nor in any manner ntimated it his view
Mr.. Mitchell will, II is expected, suggest the per
capita tax 10 levied in the he asks for the
aid of the Federation and what this might be he
could say to-day.