The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-20
A FAREWELL ADDRESS
Mr. Mitchell Appears for the Iast
Time Before the Coal Strike Conn
mission.

Philadelphia, January 17-Presiden-
John Mitchell, of the miners rnion. be
fore leaving for INDIANAPOLIS to attend
the national convention of his organi.
zauon and subsequently the national
wage convention of the soft coal opera
tors and mine workers. delievered to-
day what he believed was his farewell
address to the coal strike commission
The Scranton Coal Company, whic h
also operates the collieries of the Elk
| Hi Coal and Iron company, closed its
case during the session today and was
| followed by the Delaware. Lackawan-
ha ana western railroad company. 1t
| was while the latter company was ex-
| di!'hlhs witnesses that the hour for
auJournfnent for the week arrived, and
| MI Mitchell. arose and asked to be
permitted to make a few remarks. An
| the attorneys representing the differ
ent interests before the commission
crowded around the miners leader a I,
he prefaced his remarks by stating
that it would likely be the last session
"f the investigation he would be able
to attend. He said:
Il wish to take this occasion to ex-
whom l represent for the manner in
which the investigation is being con-
ductedI | feel confident that bv the
thoroughneSS of the inquiry it will re-
suit in much good.
There has been a large part of the
time of the commission taken up by
the presentation Of evidence to show
laWlessness in the coal fields or that
iaWlessness existed to large extent
during the latter part of the strike
Ihe non-union man who was brought
mere, the fellow who was called
Scab' was brought here under the
preteXt of getting an advance in wages.
He came here paid by the companies.
hotel bills paid by them, and our men.
who went around to see them, say
money was furnished to them to enjoy
themselves while they were here. He
came here and in not one single in
stance did those who represent him at
tempt to show that he was entitled to
an increase in his earnings. The nom
LTlon man was used. betrayed, by
those who proposed to take care of his
interests before the commission. l
want to say, too. as to the matter of
laWlessness that before being president
OF a union, before being a member of
& union. l am an American, over and
above everything else. There is no
man connected with the organization
there IS no man connected with this
commission who would condemn law
lessness stronger than l would. If /
cid not do it because / was opposed to
to laWlessnesS. / would do it because
ii initiates against the success Of
strike and against the successes and
advancement of the organization. l
am sure the sympathy of the people
never will be with those who violate
the law
Several days ago. I addressed a
communication to all the anthracite
mine workers, urging them to, coop
crate with the management of the
mines, in increasing the output
Il have heard from a large number
Of our local unions and in nearly every
instance the miners tell me that the
production of coal cannot be increased
through any effort of theirs. I hat in
most cases. the companies are failing
to furnish them as many cars as they
would load"
Major Everett Warren. of Scranton,
requested Mr.. Mitchell to bring proof
warranting the assertions just made.
The companies he said, would show
that the men do not and are not will
ing to load as many cars as they can
be furnished with.
In reply to this Mr.. Mitchell said:
My information would indicate
that 1t is impossible to mine more coal.
The miners tell me the tracks are con-
gested with loaded cars OF coal at the
mines"
Mr. Mitchell concluded by saying
that there were three thousand union
men idle and that the operators could
increase the output by putting these
men at work.
During the day John R. Wilson
counsel for the Delaware. Lackawanna
and Western made a statement saying
that the miners work snort hours, that
the system Of payment is fair and
equitable and that it has been impOssi-
be to maintain discipline since thu
advance Of the union.