Evening journal., 1902-07-18
SUGGESTED BIG
RELIEF FUND
Mitchell Advises Against
StOppage Of Work
WILL BIZ no SOFT COAL STRIKE
Labor Leader Spoke Against SVmpa-
ihetic Tie-up and Submitted Plan
TO Raise Funds
WILL BE- NO SOFT coal STRIKE

Indianapolis. July lS-If the voice
and influence of President Mitchell, of
the United Mine Workers, shall pre-
vail with the members Of his organi-
zation. there will be no general strike
of the organization. The chances of
such a step being taken now are very
remote In his speech in the conven.
tion yesterday afternoon, Mr. Mitchell
advised strongly against a strike, and
urged that the bituminOus miners con
tinue at work, and advocated the fol
lowing policy:
l. That the treasurer of the order
be directed to appropriate $4,000 for
the relief of the anthracite miners.
2. That the unions appropriate for
the same purpose as large a sum as
they can afford.
3. That an assessment Of 81 per
week be levied on all members of un.
IONS
4. That all officers of the national
district drawing a salary of $50
month or over contribute % per cent
OF their salaries.
8. That an appeal be made to all
trade unions and citizens generally
to aid the cause of the miners.
6. That an address TO the Ameri
can people be issued appealing to the
American people to bring such pres
sure to bear as will compel the oper
ators to submit to arbitration.
During his speech Mr.. Mitchell said:
81 regret to say that my views are not
in accord with the views expressed by
some in favor of a national suspension
of coal mining but much as I cherish
the esteem, the confidence and friend
ship Of my craftsmen. who have hem
ored me so signally. 1 cannot and Will
not forfeit my right to the esteem, con-
hdence and friendship by subordlnat-
ing my personal conviction of the right
and advocating a policy which would in
the end bring disaster and dishonor
upon the organization over whose des-
tiny it is my privilege to preside.
have. during all my life in the labor
| movement, declared that contracts mu-
tually made should during their life
be kept inviolate; and while at times
it may appear 20 the superficial OBJ
server or to those Immediately con-
cerned, that advantage could be gained
by setting agreements aside, such ad-
vantage if gained would, in the very
nature of things, be temporary. and
would ultimately result in disaster, be-
cause a disregard Of contracts strikes
at the very vitals of organized labor
The effect Of such action would be to
destroy confidence, to array in open
hostility to our cause all forces Of so
ciety, and to crystallize public senti-
ment in opposition to our movement
His recommendation if IL had been
adopted by the convention yesterday
would have settled the entire ques
ton for which the convention was
called. and an immediate adjourn
ment would have followed. A motion
to adopt the suggestions Of President
Mitchell provoked a long debate, in
which the general sentiment was
against the ordering of the strike
The men from the anthracite regions
finally made a request that they be al
lowed to hold a caucus to determine
upon an expression of opinion as tC
what they thought the convention
should do, and asked an adjournment
of the convention for this purpose
Their request was granted and the ad
! iournment taken. The men who were
3 in favor of a strike were in a decided
minority in the convention. Three
speeches were made by members OF
e the anthracite districts, asking that
the soft coal men walk out, and twice
as many were made by the anthracite
men, urging the soft coal men to con
tinue at work
The convention then adjourned until
Monday to permit the anthracite meT
I to caucus.
4 The Ohio and Illinois miners held
D caucuses last night and decided C
uphold the action of President Mitch
e ell. The action of the caucuses make:
r a general strike practically out of th'
2 question, as the anthracite men can
: not carry their point without the aiC
s of Illinois, and with that state ant
b Iowa and Ohio against them, there Il
no apparent manner in which a strik'
I can be ordered.
Il The meeting of the anthracite min
ers. held after the adjournment of thr
y y convention, resulted in nothing bu
a the conclusion that there is no way il
70 which a strike can be forced, and tina
n those members Of the anthracite dis
4 tricts who are anxious for a strik
S will be disappointed. There was
r. long debate in the caucus, and finall,
+ vote was decided upon, but when
: had been taken partially it was see
that the result would be so strong +
favor Of upholding the recommends
!. tions OF President Mitchell that tn