The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-18

mined TO stand to the last for their right 10
demand better wages and improved condi-
tons of employment. Deprivation. misrep-
ressntation and troops; together were not
stood shoulder TO shoulder to the last.
THE operators declared that they would
have nothing to do with the United Mine
Workers OF America, but they have found
IL necessary TO recognize the power of the
United Mine Workers of America through
you, Mr.. President, and to seek terms of
peace which will enable them TO resume
their business of mining and selling coal.
The recognition Of our strength thus forced
upon the operators by stern necessity we
exult over, not in any narrow spirit. but be-
cause we believe IL marks forward step
toward a new era. Upon the foundations
laid through war we are ready TO join
with them in building for better conditions;
and long and lasting peace. The United
Mine Workers of America, since its or
ganization in the anthracite field, has con-
stantly sought to establish:
"First-Fair wages and just conditions
of labor. conditions to both operators and
miners. We have never made demands be-
yond the ability of the industry TO pay on
a basis of equitable division of profits be-
tween labor and capital
"Second-Amicable relations between en-
ployers and employees. the latter speaking
through their organization, aiding the COM
panes in maintaining discipline, adjust
ing all difficulties by conciliatory methods,
averting local strikes and lock-outs, and
securing stable and satisfactory conditions
to the industry.
SCRUTINY INVITED.
"Our organization, by the same methods
which we have proposed here has secured
just such relations and just such results
In the coal fields of the country. Organiza-
ton, like an individual. must stand upon
what 1t has done and the life 1t has lived.
We invite scrutiny. and investigation of
our record and character. In the soft-coal
fields we have joint conferences with the
operators, and with them we adjust differ
ences, we sign joint agreements, together
| we preserve discipline. settle disputes and
maintain harmony and stability in the
| trade. We have asked the anthracite op-
| orators to inquire of the coal operators
| how well they are pleased with their bust
ness relations with us. whether or not we
keep agreements and render satisfactory
| service for wages paid to our members.
| One business man might thus learn of an
| other what is the character of our organ
| ization. Many soft-coal operators have
| publicly declared that they would not dis
pense with our cooperation, and would
deem Ii disaster If compelled to get back
| when their labor was unorganized. Upon
our past record we are willing to stand or
fall.
I'VE have. time and time again. invited
business methods and to deal with us on
this basis. Despite repeated rebuffs we
persisted. but they resented any attempt
upon our part to organize their employees;
| they refused our overtures for amicable
| discussion and possible satisfactory adj
| 1ustment of wage differences In joint con-
| ferences. They refused to have any deal
ings with their employees. except as in
| diylduals; they refused concessions and re-
| fused arbitration; they put their backs
against the wall of prejudice and their faces
arbitrarily against progress; they believed
themselves stronger than the great union
principle which is making such strides
| throughout the world; that while COM
bining their corporations and pooling their
| interests in hard and fast alliance, they
| could deny the men who worked for them
me right to organize and speak through
| their organization. When the inevitable
conflict came on they attempted to justify
| themselves upon the false plea that ours
! is an irresponsible organization; when We
demonstrated our responsibility and relia-
| bility they then asserted that we were a
| lawless organization which was dominate
| by violence. When society attempted to
| interfere to settle the strike they declared
their divinely appointed right to be let
| alone. When representatives of national
and state governments tried to mediate
ehy sa ans s1sh to msddpE By p
and the power of public opinion, they
have been brought OF a realization of the
tact maj the interests or welfare or the
American people cannot be ignored with
impunity.
by the eminent tribunal which you have
named we have confidence that justice will
be done our people. We are glad to have
| chance to appear before such a court
empowered to consider and dispose of all
| questions at issue. First among these is
the demand of the mine workers for in
| creased wages and reduction in the hours
or labor; second is the relation which
| ought to exist between the employers and
| the organization which the men have
formed, and which they authorize to speak
for them. From this arbitration we hope
| and believe will come complete, salts
factory and permanent solution of the
troubles which have vexed the anthracite
field from time immemorial
| JOHN MITCHELL"