The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-18

Washington, July 1.-1Special. )-The
Democratic congressional committee Is
highly pleased over the action of Presi-
dent Roosevelt in summarly retiring
THE outcome of the case sustains'
General Smith.
said Senator Carmack of Tennessee this
morning. the contention of Democratic
senators and refutes the plea made by
the supporters of the administration.
Smith was openly defended and excused
would be to destroy confidence to carry
in open hostility to our cause all forces
of society. and to crystalline public senti-
ment In opposition to our movement.
Approves Sympathetic Strikes.
Sympathetic strikes have many adj
her ents and the advocacy of such meth
eds appeals strongly to those who, being
directly involved in trouble, don't always
recognize the effect of their action upon
the public, but the past history of the
labor movement teaches lessons that
should not be forgotten today. AS far as
my knowledge goes, l do not know of one
solitary sympathetic strike Of any mag
nitude which has been successful On the
contrary the most conspicuous among the
sympathetic labor struggles have resulted
only for the branch of INDUSTRY originally
involved, but also for the divisions par
ticipating through sympathy In my
judgment the United Mine Workers
should not repeat the mistakes which, like
mile-stones, mark the path trod by the
toiling masses in their never-ceasing
struggle for better and higher civilization.
This, like all great, progressive move
ments, has met with repulses. but gather
f44pr
ward and onward again in its march to
ultimate victory Each defeat should
teach lessons of inestimable value in
framing the lines upon which present and
future battles shall be fought and won.
Should Act Wisely.
'.If this convention acts wisely; if it
legislates judiciousy, i feel confident
that public sentiment will be so concen-
trated against the arrogant and unrea-
sonabe attitude of the anthracite opera
tors that they will be forced to yield and
to make settlement with their employees
which shall insure living wages and fair
conditions of employment and establish
a basis for future adjustment of wage
questions that shall render strikes, with
their attendant, sufferings and losses,
unnecessary.
"It has been the proud boast of the
United Mine Workers of America that
during the past several years-or since
our organization became a power in the
labor world-contracts based solely upon
the honor and good faith of our union
have, under the most trying circum-
stances. been kept inviolate, and in this
supreme crisis, a failure to live up to
the high standard that has made our
union pre-eminent among organizations
of labor, would prove substantiation of
all the charges and allegations made
against us by our enemies and would
confirm beyond the possibility of re-
futation the specious argument of the
anthracite coal operators, that the
United Mine Workers of America is an
irresponsible and unsafe body with
which to deal.
II am firm in my conviction that the
strike in the anthracite fields can and
will be won without repudiating our
solemn contracts with the bituminous
operators provided the bituminous min
ers will rise to the occasion and do their
full duty by their struggling fellow
workers; and with this in mind | desire
to submit for your consideration the foi-
lowing specific recommendations:
"F'irst-That the national secretary
treasurer be authorized and directed to
Immediately appropriate fifty thousand
dollars from the funds in the national
treasury and place 1t at the disposal OF
the officers of districts l. and 8.
"Second-That all district subdistrict
and local unions be appealed to to donate
from the surplus in their treasures as
large amounts as they can afford.
"Third-That an assessment of not less
than one dollar per week be levied upon
all members Of the local unions, the
amount to be collected at the earliest
possible moment.
"Fourth-That an assessment of % per
cent be levied upon all national district
and sub-district officers whose salaries
amount to $50 per month or more.
"Fifth-That an appeal be made to all
American trade unions and to the gen.
| eral public for financial assistance.
"Sixth-That a committee be selected
| from this convention to draft an address
to the American people, setting forth in
| proper form, the policy of the miners or
| ganization and appealing to the people
| to bring all possible pressure to bear up
| on the officers and stockholders of the
anthracite coal carrying railroads to COM
| pei them to treat considerably the ap-
peals of their employees for arbitration.
VIII Insure Success.
Firm IN my conviction that the adop-
| tion of these recommendations and con-
| currence in this policy will insure sue
| cess and conserve the best interests and
| the welfare of our Organization. l sub
| NIT them to you and bespeak for them
| your earnest consideration with the sin
| cere hope that whatever policy you de-
| eide upon. the honor and integrity or our
| organization will be pre- eserved.'
| The speech was greeted with great ap-
| plause from both anthracite and bitum-
inous miners.
! President Ryan of the Illinois miners
| at once offered a motion, which was
| promptly seconded, that the recommen-
| dations be adopted. The question was just
being put when delegate arose to ask
| for information, and then began a de-
| bate which continued until adjournment.
| Delegate William Downey of Indiana
| spoke strongly in favor of the adoption of
| President Mitchelrs recommendations,
| and when he sat down was greeted with
| cheers. Patrick Gildea of Pennsylvania,
| an anthracite man. urged that the ques-
| ton of a general strike be left to the soft
| coal men entirely. 1t was for them to de-
| eide what they wished to do for the strik-
| ing anthracite miners He Inougnt the
| anthracite men should remain out of the
| discussion.
| John S. de Silva of Shamoxin, Pa,
| made a ringing speech in favor of the
| recommendations of the president. He
| said he wanted the world shown that
| when the miners of the United States
| siened contract they lived up to 1t.
I'VE do not want sympathy" he said,
"but we do want help. We are becoming
| financially weak down in the anthracite
regions, but we don't want the bitumin-
| GUS men to violate their contracts. If you
| men will live up to these recommended
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