The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-17
that many Of them would be prevented
if they reached the owners of the mines
as they do the miners
THEIR Principles AND CONTRACTS

z
The national convention Of United Mine
Workers Of America us in session at In
dianapolis to-day, to determine whether
there shall be sympathetic Strike Of
the bituminous coal miners to help the
striking anthracite miners Of Pennsyl-
vania to victory over the operators. There
is apparently a decided lack of agree
ment as to 1.-The propriety of taking such
serious step as a general strike, based
upon sympathy with segment of the
U. Nj. w. Of A. A general strike Of
coal miners and suspension of produce
ton means catastrophe for both miners
and the public who have not had any
thing whatever to do with the disturbance
of the business relations of the anthra-
cite miners and their employers and have
no more to gain by sympathetic btu
minous miners strike than the latter
themselves. ~-&. y
There is one important matter which
some Of the bituminous miners must
be thinking about to-day, and have no
doubt been thinking about on their way
to the convention. 1t is this: Last
February there was joint convention
of bituminous coal miners and coal oper-
ators at Indianapolis where, after de-
claring the Importance OF settling labor
difficulties by peaceful, reasonable and
wise methods instead of by force, intimi-
dation and imposing hardships on the
masses, the convention made it's profess
sion of faith as follows:
Resolved, That the coal miners and coal
mine operators in joint convention assembled,
hereby declare: 80,
F1rst-That this joint movement is founded
and that it is to rest upon correct business
IDEAS, competitive equality. and upon we'll
recognized principles of justice.
Second-That. recognizing the contract re-
latons existing between employer and en-
ploye, We believe strikes and lockouts, dis
putes and friction, can be generally avoided
by meeting in joint convention and by enter
Ing into trade agreements for specific periods
of time
Third-That We recognize the, sacredness
and binding nature of contracts and agree
ments thus entered into, and are pledged in
honor to keep inviolate such contracts and
! agreements made by and between a voluntary
organization, having no standing in court,
on the one hand, aud a merely collective body
! of business men doing business individually or
in corporate capacity, on the other. each of
the latter class having visible and tangible
| assets subject to execution.
Fourth-That We deprecate, discourage and
condemn any departure whatever from the
letter or spirit of such trade agreements or
| con tracts, unless such departure be deemed
by all parties in interest for the welfare of the
coal mining industry and for the public good
as we'll, and such departure Is first definitely.
specifically and mutually agresd upon by all
parties in interest.
14- 11v,4 "a q
been entered into, we consider ourselves sew
orally and collectively bound in honor ito
carry them out in good faith in letter and
spirit and are so pledged to use our In
auence and authority to enforce these con-
tracts and agreements, the more so since they
rest in the main upon mutual confidence as
their basis
These most commendable sentiments
emanated from the United Mine Work
ers Of America. They recognize the sa-
credness Of contracts made by them with
the operators in good faith. The contracts
bind them generally in the central coal
producing states and fidelity to them mas
worked to large advantage of miners ana
employers. Their observance has begot-
ten mutual confidence and the respect
Of the public and exaltation of the prln-
ciple of organized labor. The latter can
only gain the confidence of the public
if it shows itself faithful and conscien-
tious as to it's engagements.
In order to effect a general strike and
suspend coal production sacred contracts
will he broken which run for year
There are many delegates at the conven-
ton to-day, who believe in standing 10y
labor contracts with operators. Some
of them estimate that fully half the con-
vention will oppose general strike: The
| U. M. w. of A. is a very powerful body
1t is the strongest labor combination in
this country, and according to the meas
ure Of it's faithfulness to solemn obliga"
lions, will it receive the respect and
| oonhdonca NJ the DllbliC,