The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-09
FUND xSJ AID HdE MINERS De .lSe Plans National
 in Scope. EXPLAINED BY MIR. WHITE Secretary of the Garment
 Makers Union. Mitchell Will Consent to Receive As sistance Only After the Anthra- cite Diggers Have Expend- ed All Their Money.

wflkesbarre, Pa, July s.-A national defense fund to which all organized labor and the public in general will be asked oa foot to help the striking anthracite miners if they need assistance in their struggle for higher wages and shortsr work day.
 Harry White of New York. Secretary of the National Garment Workers, and mem Der of the Consolidation Committee of the National Civic Fedecatien. had long conference with President Mitchell today, during which the plan was ap- proved by the miners chief. and MT. White will at once begin preparations to carry out the plan.
 President Mitchell wishes, it is under stood, however, that the miners union will accept no aid until their own re- sources are exhausted.
 MT, White came here authorized by several labor organizations to place the proposition before MT. Mitchell. After the conference, Mrt Mitchell mad nothing to say about the matter beyond the brief statement that he approved the plan.
 Mir. White gave out the following state ment:
 Whites Statement.
 President Mitchell will accept the co- operation and whatever aid may be rem dered by labor organizations of the coun- try and others, but with the understand ing that it is to be used oniy when their own funds become exhausted. which will not be for some time. MT. Mitchell says that in soliciting outside support the miners at work must set the example themselves by contributing consider able portion of their earnings to sustain their fellcw members. This will be de termined upon at the Indianapolis con | vention. Ea
 "Efforts will also be made to organiz, a movement throughout the country SC that unions may be prepared to collect 1 funds when the time is propitious. Public men will also undertake an in 1 dependent movement and solicit sub- scriptions from those not connected with labor organizations. This movement will be inaugurated in New York City, and the labor organizations and sympathizers in all the principal cities of the country will be called on to appoint committees to carry on similar work.
 "All friendly newspapers will be asked to cooperate. The scheme, in brief, con- templates the concentration of the energy and resources of organized labor in be half of the miners cause. It involves the raising of a given amount of money eacf week with which provisions and other necessaries of life will be purchased. Approved by Gompers.
 The plan has the approval of President Samuel Gompers. and it will be placed before the Executive Council of the Amer. ican Federation of Labor for endorse. ment at It's sessions which opens in Sar Francisco next week.
 "Of course. it Is understood that the entire plan is contingent upon the In dianapolis convention of mine workers voting down motion for general strike as, in that event, aid which the soft coa miners will be able to render would b' cut off. as it would be out of the question to maintain the vast number of people who would be involved"
 Personally, Secretary White disapproves of the proposed general suspension order of mining, as we'll as of sympathetic strikes in general. He said:
 "I believe that should the Indiana polls convention order a general suspension oi mining. great disturbance would bt created without any way benefiting those whom it aims tC help. Besides, it would n ake necessary violation of agreements which would be so conspicuous as to dis credit the entire labor movement. Il trades unions can violate agreements whenever they find 1t convenient to do so the employees would be justified in do ing the same, conconsequently agree ments would have no binding force ant no effect. If labor organizations are tC improve their standing in the business world they must abide by the principle. involved in a nagreement.