The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-09
IN AID OF MINERS
NATIONAL DEFENSE FUND PRO-
POSED BY WHITE.
MITCHELL APPROVES PLAN.
ALL LABOR UNIONS TO MAKE CON-
TRIBUTIONS.

Public to BE Given "a Chance to Lend
"a Hand and Prominent Men Will
Organize for Purpose, Says Secrc-
tary White-WOrking Miners Must
Set Example Ina Helping strikers,
Says MitcheII-If This Scheme he
Decided on Mt Indianapolis Con-
ventiOn There VIII Probably BE
No General strike of Miners.
Wilkesbarre, Pa. July S.-A national
defense fund to which all organized
labor and the public in general will be
asked to contribute is the latest pro-
position placed on foot to help the
striking anthracite coal miners ii they
need assistance in their struggle for
higher wages and a shorter work day.
Horny White of New York, secre-
tary of the National Garment Workers
and member of the Cancellation COM
mittee of the National Civic Fedora
ton, held a long conference with
President Mitchell to-day. during
which the plan was approved
by the miners chief, and Mr.
White will at once begin preparations
Mitchell wants it understood, however,
that the miners union will accept no
aid until their own resources are ex-
hausted. Mr. White came here au-
thorized by several labor organizations.
Mr.. White said
"Mr. Mitchell says that before So
Letting outside support the miners at
work must set the example themselves
| by contributing a considerable portion
| of their earnings to sustain their fell
| low members in the hard coal fields
who are fighting their common battle.
| This will be determined upon at the
| Indianapolis convention.
The Plan Outlined.
Efforts will also be made to origi-
| nate a movement throughout the coun-
| try that the unions and Others may
| be prepared to collect funds when the
| time is propitious
Public men will also undertake an
| independent movement and receive
| subscriptions from those not connected
| with labor organizations. This move
| ment will be inaugurated in New York
1 City and the labor organizations and
| sympathizers in all the principal cities
of the country will be called on to APP
point committees to carry on similar
| work
|
ed to-co-operate. The scheme in briel
contemplates the concentration of the
| energy and resources of organized
labor in behalf of the miners cause
a result which has never before beer
achieved.
Proposed Plan for Relief.
ut involves the raising of a given
amount of money each week with
which provisions and other necessities
of life will be purchased. The plan
has the approval of President Samuel
Gompers.
The entire plan is contingent upon
the Indianapolis convention of mine
workers voting down a motion for a
general strike, as in that event the aid
which the soft coal miners would be
able to render would be cut off, as it
would be out of the question to try
to maintain the vast number of peo-
pie who would be involved.
THE operators are counting upon
| the means of the miners soon be-
| coming exhausted, and when it is dem
| onstrated to them that the funds will
be forthcoming to prolong the contest
| indefinitely, If need be- the situation
| will be changed materially"
Personally, Secretary White disap-
| proves of the proposed general sus-
pension order of mining, as we'll as
of sympathetic strikes in general.
The Lehigh Valley Coal Company
| to-day succeeded in starting up its
| Henry washery at Plains The coal
| thus taken from the Gull banks is not
sent to market, but is used In the
comDanV's boilers