Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-16
LABOR ISSUES APPEAL.
Asks for Help for Striking Anthracite
Miners.


The American Federation of Labor,
through it's executive council at Wash
ington, has issued an address to the
public appealing for financial and
moral aid for the striking anthracite
miners and denouncing the attitude of
the mine owners, on whom, the ap--
peal says, must rest the responsible
tiles for the hardship resulting from
the coal famine The address blames
the coal operators for both the incep-
ton of the strike and its continuance,
and adds:
mo offer to settle the strike could
be fairer than that made by the min
ers' representatives at the conference
with President Roosevelt. The oper-
ators' naughty arrogance, brutal, dom
mating spirit, blasphemous assump--
ton Of Divine wealth-partnership
shocked the civilized world and arous-
ed the honest indignation OF al lovers
Of Justice and fair dealing.
There has never been tins, either
before the strike or since it's Inaugural
ton, that the miners have not been en-
tirely willing to have the questions in
Ivolved in the miners claims investi-
gated and adjusted by any aisinterest-
ed persons.
These circumstances IL, connection
with the strike are recoIated so that
the people of our country may place,
where it properly belongs. the respon--
seibility for all the suffering which the
people may have to bear by reason of
| the impending coal famine. The cold
blasts of winter confront us, the chat
| ! Of inn
children, the shiyering of the weak,
poorly clad and under fed men and
women, the stoppage of the wheels of
industry and commerce, the health I'M
dermined and thousands driven to
untimely graves and the calamity
Threatening our social life and tram
guilty, with all the dire consequences
which may follow, are all upon the
heads of the mine operators.
"The principles, the cause for which
the miners are bearing the greatest
sacrifices and burdens, are as dear tc
the hearts of all as to the miners.
"The miners must be sustained in
their righteous and holy struggle.
"The miners must at least have
bread for themselves, their wives and
their little ones.
in behalf of the miners, in behalf
of the cause of freedom for justice and
right, the undersigned, representing
all organized wage earners of Americs
appeal to all people to contribute gen
erously, promptly and to continue the
same until the termination of thi!
. contest"
! 1t is suggested that in each city ant
| town, business, professional and public
men form relief committees to solicit
, financial and other contributions. i
, is also suggested that the hour be-
tween 10 and IL o'clock each Monda,
morning during the strike be desig-
: mated as miners hour''-the wage!
) earned during that hour by the work,
! ing people of this country to be con
| tributed to the strike fund.
Ministers of the gospel OF all demon
: nations are asked to make specia
r plea to their respective congregation
, each Sabbath morning in behalf of tn
| miners, and also to constitute them
7 selves into relief committees anon
e the pensioners.
!. The daily, weekly and labor press i
S asked to solicit subscriptions fror
J. their readers.
v Entertainments should be arrange
d and contributions from all organize
5 bodies be solicited.
The address is signed by Presider
S Gompers and all the members of tn
e executive council of the federation