Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-09
OPEN-AIR MEETINGS
CENTRAL LABOR UNION TO AID
COAL STRIKERS.
Great Enthusiasm Last Night at First
Meeting-Sympathy for the
Miners Unanimous.

The first OF the series of open-air meet
ings conducted under the auspices Of the
local Central Labor Union to secure aid for
the anthracite coal strikers was held last
evening at the corner Of 7th street and Mar
ket space before an immense assemblage Of
people representing the entire United States.
Judging from the expressed sentiments OF
those present, the citizens Of every state in
the Union are in sympathy with the strug-
Cling miners. The gathering at various
times became very boisterous in their ap-
prevail Of the miners cause, and on every
hand the good will for the strikers was
heard The meeting lasted several hours,
and at no time did the assemblage appear
to lose interest. Each speaker was the re-
cipient Of an ovation.
Mr.. N. C. Sprague of the Central Labor
Union called the meeting to order. and in
troduced Mr.. Dennis A. Hayes, one of the
vice presidents Of the American Federation
of Labor and president OF the International
Bottle Blowers Union. as the first speaker
of the occasion. During his remarks Mr..
Hayes made mention Of the Grand Army
procession, and said that the miners In the
anthracite coal region are fighting for as
firm a principle as near and dear to them.
as did the men who wore the Union blue In
the war of the rebellion. He said the only
difference between the veterans and the
miners was that the former fought for the
for their rights.
THE veterans" he said, "are the sur
vivors of a conflict brought about by the
contention of a portion Of our states and
people attempting to uphold the principle
that they held a property right in an
other human being. The mine owners or
Pennsylvania believe that they hold prop
erty right not in men, but in property
which was brought together with the labor
Of men. There may be some relation be-
tween slavery and poverty, and believe
that the poverty Of the miners, to which
the exactions OF their employers reduced
them, was almost slavery. According to
the statement made to the President OF
the United States, the men of the anthra-
cite coal regions are striking for the same
reason that sent the men into the field In
1851
Baer's Language Criticised.
The speaker declared that the language
of President Baer of the Reading railroad
to President Theodore Roosevelt was not
only an insult to the chief executive him
self. but to the entire American people.
Mr. Hayes assured his auditors that the
miners had not broken any laws or created
any disorder. In conclusion he appealed
for help to carry on the campaign against
the mine operators, and he hoped the peo-
pie of Washington and visitors to the city
would respond to the appeal to the fullest
possible extent Of their means.
mr.. Baer has snubbed the President OF
the United States and committed blasphemy
in declaring that he was in partnership
with the Almighty in holding the mines,
declared Mr.. Thomas 1. Kidd, also one OF
the vice presidents Of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor and president of the Anal
gamated Woodworkers' National Associa-
ton, who spoke next. Continuing. Mr.
Kidd said: President Baer is said to have
declared that the mines were intrusted to
him by God and he would administer the
trust as he saw At. IT this be SO. the trus-
teeship is being carried on in "a very loose
manner and the trustee should be dis