Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-13
ISSUES AN APPEAL.
FEDERATION OF LABOR soLICITs
AID FOR STRIKERS.
Conditions in Anthracite Region Set
Forth in an Address to
the Public.

AT Iihc CoifCiuSlOn or saturday y SeSSaon VI
the executive council of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor that body gave out an
appeal to the public and organized labor.
asking for financial and moral support In
behalf Of the striking miners and denounc-
ing the attitude Of the mine operators, on
whom the council declares should rest all
the responsibilities for the hardships that
the American people are now suffering and
Will continue to suffer should the great
struggle continue. The address Is as fol-
lows:
ITO the Public and Organized Labor:
The strike Of the miners is now in its
twenty-third week. That the strike oc-
Cured was entirely the fault of the presi-
dents of the coal companies; that the strike
mas continued to this day is entirely due to
coal companies have for the people of our
country and the untold sufferings which all
may endure.
No offer to settle the strike could be
1alrer than that made by the miners repre-
sentatives at the conference with Presi-
dent Roosevelt. The operators naughty ar
rogance. brutal. dominating spirit, blasphe-
nous assumption of divine wealth-proprie-
torship, shocked the civilized world and
aroused the honest Indignation Of all lovers
of Justice and fair dealing.
what more could the miners do. and
MAINTAIN their self-respect and not forfeit
Willingness to submit all matters in dis
pute to commission appointed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt, and when that was refused,
70 leave the entire controversy to Mr.. j.
Pferpont Morgan, one Of the men largely
interested with the operators?
Willing to Arbitrate.
There has never been time, either be-
fore the strike or since it's inauguration,
that the miners have not been entirely will
n how
miners claims investigated and adjusted
py any disinterested persons.
nese circumstances in connection with
the strike are recounted SO that the people
ly belongs. the responsibility for all the
suHerlng which the people may have to bear
by reason of the impending coal famine.
Inc cold blasts Of winter confront us, the
chatterlng teeth of young and innocent chill
dren; the shivering of the weak. poorly clad
and underfed men and women: the stoppage
OF the wheels of industry and commerce;
the health undermined and the thousands
driven to untimely graves; the calamity
threatening our entire social life and tran
quliEty with all the dire consequence which
may follow, are all upon the heads of the
mine operators.
THE principles the cause for which the
miners are bearing the greatest sacrifices
and burdens, are as dear to the hearts of
all as to the miners
The miners must be sustained in their
The miners must at least have bread for
themselves, their wives and their little
ones.
Contributions Solicited.
In behalf of the miners, in behalf Of the
cause of freedom, for justice and right the
undersigned, representing the organized
wage earners of America appeal to all peo-
PIE 10 contribute generously, promptly, and
to continue the same until the termination
OF this contest. And to that end 1t is sue-
gested that:
Il In each city and town business pro-
1eSslonal and public men form relief COM
mittees to solicit financial and other contri-
buttons.
g. The hour between 10 and IL o'clock of
each Monday morning during the contin-
ers' hour, and the wages earned during
that hour by the working people Of our
country be contributed to the strike.
%. Ministers Of the gospel, Of all denomi-
spective congrega tons each Sa bbath morn
Ing In behalf Of the miners. their wives and
children. and that they constitute them
selves into relief committees among their
II The daily, weekly and labor press So
licit contributions from their readers
70. Entertainments be arranged, and con-
tributions from unions and other organized
bodies be solicited.
Citizens and Wage Farmers.
FelloW-citizens, Fellow-Wage Farmers:
Come to the aid Of the miners In their he
roc contest, and administer a well-merited
rebuke to the mine operators in their AFRO
CANT, oppressive and unjusti1able attitude
toward the miners-the operators who would
trample under foot and crush the hearts
and spirit of the men whom they employ
with equally callous indifference as they
outrage the dignity. the manhood and the
interests Of every man, woman and child
in our land.
Send all contributions to W. B. Wilson
Secretary United Mine Workers of Amer
lea, Stevenson building, Indianapolis, Ind.
Respectfully and fraternally,
Samuel Gompers, president: James Dun
can, first vice president: John Mitchell, sec
ond vice president: James O'Connell, third
vice president; Max Morris, fourth vice
president; Thos l. Kidd, fifth vice presi-
dent: D. A. Hayes, sixth vice president;
John B. Lennon. treasurer; Frank Morri-
son, secretary: executive council, American
Federation of Labor"