The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-09

COAL MINERS TO
ASK ASSISTANCE
Lay Plans to Solicit Aid From
Various Labor Unions.
-
CONVENTION WILL DECIDED
GoMPERs APPROVES OF IDEA
WILL LEND HIS SUPPORT.
CONVENTION WILL DECIDED

III ILkESBARRE. Pa, July s.-A ma
w tional defense fund, to which all
orgSI1zed labor and the public
in general will be asked 10 contribute,
is the latest proposition placed on foot
to help the striking anthracite coal
miners if they need assistance in their
struggle for higher wages and short
er work day.
Henry White of New York, secretary
of the National Garment Workers. and
members OF the Cancellation committee
of the National Civic Federation, had
long conference with President
Mitchell today. during which the plan
was approved by the miners chief. and
Mr.. White viii lat once begin prepara-
tions to carry out the plan.
President Mitchell wants il under
stood that the Miners union viii ac-
cept no aid until their own resources
are exhausted. Mr.. White came here
authorized by several labor organiza-
lions to place the proposition before
President Mitchell.
After the conference President Mitch
ell had nothing TO say about the mat
ter beyond the brief statement that hs
approved the plan. Mr.. White gave
out the following statement:
President Mitchell says before So
liciting outside support the miners at
work must set the example themselves
by contributing "A considerable portion
of their earnings to sustain their fellow
members in the hard coal fields who are
fighting their common battle. This will
be determined upon at the Indianapolis
convention. Mr. Mitchell also well
coined the aid rendered by men of
means and influence outside the ranks
of organized labor.
Efforts will also be made to organize
movement throughout the country so
that the unions and others may be pre-
pared to collect funds when the time is
propitious.
To Solicit Aid in Big Cities.
Public men will also undertake an
independent movement and solicit sub
scriptions from those not connected
with labor organizations. This move
rnent will be inaugurated in New York
City. and the labor organizations and
sympathizers in all the principal cities
of the country will be called upon to
appoint committees to carry on SIM
liar work.
''All friendly newspapers win be
asked to cooperate. The scheme, in
brief, contemplates the concentration
of the energy and resources of organ
lied labor in behalf of the miners
cause. a result which has never before
been achieved 1t involves the raising
OF given amount of money each week
with which provisions and other neces-
saries of life viii be purchased The
plan has the approval of President
Gompers, and it will be placed before
the executive council of the American
Fe1~FatioH OF Labor for endorsement
at i, sessions which open at San Fran
cisco next week
Mr.. Gonpers, in his letter of ap-
provaI, said:
Il beg TO say that your action
meets with my hearty approval, and
you can say so to President Mitchell.
Anything which can do toward bring
ing about the end desired Will be cor
daily done
entire plan is contingent upon the In
dianapolis convention of mine workers
voting down a motion for q general
strike, as in that event the aid which
the soft coal miners viii be able to
render would be cut off as il would be
out of the question to try to maintain
the vast number who would be in
Volyed.
The operators are counting upon the
means of the miners soon becoming
exhausted. and when il is demonstrated
to them that the funds will be forth
coming to prolong the contest indefi-
nitely. if need be, the situation will be
changed materially"
The Lehigh Valley Coal company
succeeded today in starting its Henry
washery at Plains.
The coal thus taken from the coal
banks is not sent to market but is
used under the company's boilers.