The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-07
' M1TcHELL's STATEMENT.
Urgs Unions to Meet But Stand Firm,

 and his district presidents continued un- til 11:15 D. m. and at 11:30 o'clock five minutes before the National President left for Buffalo. he gave to the press the following statement which was hurried ly prepared after he returned from Phil adelphia tonight:
 ''Wilkesbarre, October 6. ITO District Secretaries and all Mine
 Workers in the Anthracite Field:
 You have no doubt read in the daily papers the proceedings of the conference at the White House last Friday in which your officers proposed an immediate re- sumption of work if the operators would agree with us to refer the questions at issue in the strike to the decision of the President of the United States. and a tribunal named by him You have noted the reply of the presidents of the coal carrying roads. in which they responded to our overtures by denouncing your union, its members and officers in the most vehement and malicious manner possible. They also declared that a large majority of the strikers would return to work if given military protection and they demaded that the President send United States troops to the coal fields. Tn order to demonstrate to the people of our country that the statements of the operaors are unfounded and that the mine workers are law-abiding citizens, the officers of all locals should eau mass meetings of all men on strike, union and on-union, such meeting to be held In each mining town at o'clock Wednes- day afternoon October 8. We know that the mine workers are nd1 restrained from going to work by fear of bodily harm; and if this Is the sentiment prevailing at the meetings, resolutions should be adopt | ed emphatically declaring the statements of the operators to be untrue. We also advise that acts of lawless- ness by the coal and iron police and by i strikers be denounced and the services of 1 members of the union rendered the local authorities to preserve law and order. Great care should be exercised that those on strike do not permit themselves to be provoked by the coal and iron po- lice into the commission of overt acts. The operators, falling to break the strike and deprive you of your well-earned vic tory are now attempting to array public sentiment against you by making false claims that a reign of terror exists in the coal fields. Be steadfast and true while this struggle for living wages and American conditions of employment is go- ing on and we have no hesitancy in say ing that victory will be achieved in the not distant future. The heart of the na- tion beats in sympathy with you and all good citizens favor your cause.
 Do not fail to have resolutions drafted in plain, temperate language. telegraph them at our expense to President Mitch elrs headquarters immediately on the adjournment of meetings.
 John Mitchell, President United Mine Workers of
 America"
 T. D. Nichols, President District 1; Thomas Duffy, President District z; John Fahy, President District 9.
 The news of the calling out of the entire State Guard caused a mild sensation among those gathered at strike head quarters, but apparently the least per turbed were President Mitchell and the three district presidents
 There was a crowd in the lobby of the Hart Hotel and as soon as the miners chiefs came down the stairs with his travelling bag in hand, he was asked for an expression on the action of Governor Stone He at first declined, but a mo- ment later, as he pushed his way through the thong, he exclaimed:
 'If they call all the troops out in the United States, 1t won't make the men go to work"
 President Nichols said:
 Nothing has arisen to warrant the calling out of more troops, but if they are not used for any unlawful purpose their presence in the coal fields cannot do us any harm"
 District President Duffy remarked that "the troops are not needed. l protested to Governor Stone when they were first ordered into my district, and am still of the same mind"
 President Fahy said:
 q do not see the necessity for calling out more troops unless it be that of blostering up the operators side of the struggle"
 The news of the call for all of the troops was received so late that no opinions could be had from any of the officials or the coal companies living in this vicinity
 President MitcheA accompanied by the three district presidents left for Bufralo at 1: :35 D. m There they will meet committee of the National Association of Manufacturers which wish to devise some plan for bringing the great struggle 10 an end.