Evening journal., 1902-08-02
MITCHRhh TALKS
TO 1000 MINERS
Tells Them That Strike Soon
Will Be Won
Further Predicts a Basis Of Ad-
ljustment Which will Prevent
Trouble in Future

Scranton, Pa, Aug. 2.-'rhe first Of |
the series OF strikers mass meetings |
planned to take place at the various
strike centers was held yesterday in
the Round Woods. There were 1000 |
strikers present from all parts OF the
city and the adjoining towns, some To-
Gals having marched four miles to the
meeting. headed by a band or drum
corps and carrying flags and banners.
National President John Mitchell and
the district presidents delivered ad-
dresses Vice President RyscaVage
spoke in Polish and Organizer Memolo
in Italian
The crowd enthusiastically cheered
all the speakers and fairly went Wild
over Mitchell. When he was intro
duced to speak, some one shouted
Hats off," and every man in the vast
assemblage barred his head and re-
NAMED uncovered until his speech was
concluded. Then the crowd surged
about the platform and shook his hands
until he sank exhausted into chair.
Mitchells speech was brief and dealt
only wibh the live issues OF the fight
He said in part:
1T has been said by some who are
not your friends that the miners Of
the Scranton region are getting tired
Of the strike and are about to return
to work. 1 want to know il you are
going to return TO work, dishonoring
your organization and dishonoring
yourselves" (Cries OF "Never, never.
mo, no." Don't you believe IT, and
the like.)
"If the strike is lost, may God Al
mighty help the men, women and chill
dren who depend for their subsistence
on the mining Of anthracite coal. II
the strike is lost you will pay the cost
of the strike. want to say that the
anthracite miners went on strike them
selves. They themselves, voted for
the strike. It was not the officers of
the United Mine Workers who called
the strike It will never enc until
you vote 1t ended.
"Brom the Offices of the coal presi-
dents in New York comes the declara-
ton that the strike will be settled only
in their ewn way Of settling It. l
would direct your attention to similar
declarations made in the 1900 strike.
The coal trust may be powerful and
strong but the American people,
whose hearts throb in sympathy with
the miners cause, are stronger than
the coal trust The American people,
Hke a Jury. have passed upon this con-
HIct
The ono among you who violates
the law is the worst enemy you have.
No one ia more pleased than the opera
tors in New York to hear of disorder
IN the coal regions. want our men
TO exercise their rights that inure to
them under the laws, but I want that
no man shall transgress the laws
''The strike will be won. Cloud and
long cheers) I have no more doubt
about It than have that am standing
here addressing You This is possibly
the last time I ever will talk to you
I want you to listen to me- want to
impress on you the importance Of win
ming this strike n you win, as you
surely will win. there will be no more
Strikes there will be a basis Of ad
justment arrived at which will pre-
vent strikes
'1f you lese the strike. the operators
will make you pay for their strike
losses by reducing your wages. And
if you lose the strike, you lose your or
ganization. trust and hope and con
stantly pray you will stand as you die
in 1900" (Cheers and cries of "Wf
willD
Before the handshaking episode be
gan, Chairman Phillips asked all whC
favored a tight - a finish to raise
their hands. Every hand went up.