The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-06
NO GENERAL COAL STRIKE
Declaration Of the Miners in Conyen-
ton at Indianapolis.
CALL FOR 100000 A MONTH

Plans Msds For Generous Assessmsuts OF
the Workers to Keep Up the Anthrs-
cite War - An Address Issued 70 the
American People Asking Them 70
Compel Arbitration.
Indianapolis. Ind-The special COM
mittae of the miners convention re-
ported its Recommendation as follows:
FIrst-That the National Secretary
Treasurer Of the United Mine Workers
be authorized to appropriate $4,000
from the funds Of the National treas.
ury for the benefit Of the districts. 1.
Z and 8 (these are the anthracite dis
tricts).
Second-That all districts and sub
districts and local unions be asked to
donate whatever they can afford for
the support Of the strike.
Third-That an assessment OF ten
Der cent. be levied on the earnings Of
the unions. 8. 8, II. 13. 10. % and 25.
and that an assessment OF one per
cent. per week be made Of the mem
bers Of districts 2. s. II. IA, Is. 16. 20
and 21
Fourth-The assessments to be paid
direct by the local unions to Secretary
Treasurer Wilson.
Fifth-That twenty-five per cent. be
deducted from the salaries Of all Ma
uonal district officials and organizers.
Sixth-That the assessments begin
from July 18.
Seventh-That all contributions made
by the National organization be distrib.
uted pro rata to the anthracite districts
In the ratio shown by the last coal re-
ports.
E!ghth-That each local union be re-
quested to aid as far as possible in Sc
curing work for men now on strike. In
this connection the good offices Of the
American Federation Of Labor will be
requested
Ninth-That an address be submitted
to the American people.
The salient points Of this address, AZ
read by Secretary Wilson. are as fol.
lows: 'The convention Of the United
Mine Workers hereby state the line Of
action which it's members are deter
mined to pursue. The coal miners OF
the country recognize the marvellous
industrial progress Of the country dur.
Ing the last decade. but our labor has
produced the foundation for most OF
this wealth by producing the coal
which has made the progress possible.
But when the miners examine the pal
Try pittance they receive as recon-
pense for the labors and dangers they
undergo they feel they are being dealt
with unjustly in payment for 10 much
labor and so many sacrifices.
THE combinations Of capital are 90
powerful that individuals are helpless
and the experience shows that when
capital combines labor must unite. The
grievances of the miners have forced
them to organize. not 70 take from the
operators what belongs to them. but to
receive better treatment and fair re-
muneration for their labor.
For five years the miners have lived
up to the letter and spirit Of every con.
tract into which they have entered. and
do not intend to violate them now.
The miners believe that the best
interests Of the country are opposed to
q general strike Of the coal miners, and
while they feel that In the present fight
their union may be destroyed, nothing
can compel them to break their agree
ments. The miners reques: the Amerl.
can people to bring such pressure to
bear upon the anthracite operators and
anthracite railroads as will compel
them to submit to arbitration. The ex-
penses Of the miners call for contri-
button Of $1,000 per month from
sources outside the union. and with
this amount the miners are confident
they can win the anthracite strike"
President Russell. Of the Illinois min.
ers. announced that the unions Of that
State would contribute $4,000 In cash
for the anthracite strike. Ohio con.
tributed $4,000. and Iowa and Illinois
promised substantial contributions
later.
President Mitchell made a short
speech. declaring that there was in the
treasures Of the local unions through.
out the country approximately $1,000.
600. and that his opinion Of what the
unions could afford to contribute to the
cause Of the anthracite strike was one
half Of this money. After the transac-
tion Of some routine business the con.
vention adjourned by the singing Of
"America."