The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-30
All the Galleries Were Closed and
Monster Parades Were Held at
Scranton and HazletOn.
SPEECHES BY THE LEADERS
PRACTICAL TALK TO MINERS BY
PRESIDENT JOHN MITCHELL.
All Advised by Secretary w. b. Wilson
to Remain True to the Organization
Which Benefited Them.

SCRANTON, Pa, Oct. 29.-This was John
Mitchell day. That is to say, all the United
Mine Workers of America i'm the Lacka-
wanna and Wyoming regions went out on
parade to the number of fifty thousand. Mr..
Mitchell and Alexander t. Connell. mayor
of the city, rode In the first carriage. Other
notable men in carriages, of which there
was a long line, were James Duncan, of
Washington, ID. c., first vice president of
the American Federation of Labor; the Rev.
Thomas III. Adkins, who was the labor cam
didate for mayor of Scranton, Pa. last
spring; John Oliver, chairman of Select
Council. and f. Z. Robathan, chairman of
Common Council.
1t was holiday in the two valleys. All
the mines were idle and every train brought
thrOngs TO Scranton. The locals" from
Forest City to Nanticoke were in line after
the carriages, and they were interspersed
with about fifty bands. The parade ended
on the circus grounds, where Mr.. Mitchell
and Mr.. Duncan made speeches on the topic
of labor and trades unionism. Mr.. Mitchell
referred to statements made that he was
ambitious in political way, and took occa-
sion to say that he could not be induced to
accept any political Office. His only ambi-
ton, he said was to further the trades
union movement. His speech, in the MAN,
was n practical talk to the mine workers.
encoura ging them to Loyalty maintain their
union that they might be prepared to act
collectively when the present three-year
working agreement expires and anew one
has to be made If they do not maintain
the union, he said they will suffer a reduc-
ton in wages. The goal to which the miners
should aspire, he said, was an agreement
granting the eight-hour workday and rec
Ognition of the union.
Addresses were also made by James Dun
can. first vice president of the American
Federation of Labor, T. ID. Nichols and
John II. Devine. president of the Central
Labor Union Tonight Mr.. Mitchell was
rendered a banquet at the St. Charles by
the officers of district No. l of the United
Mine Workers.
IIAZLETON, Pa, Oct 29.-The United
Mine Workers of the Lehigh Valley region,
including the men from the Panther Greek
valley celebrated Mitchell day here this
afternoon. The feature of the day was q
parade. which was the largest Hazlet0n has
yet seen on the anniversary of the success
full close of the 1900 strike. Seven thousand
men were In line, and every local union was
represented in the procession. District Pres
ident William Dettry was chief marshal.
At the conclusion of the parade the miners
assembled on the ball field on the outskirts
of town and listened to speeches by National
Secretary-treasurer William 3. Wilson, OF
Indianapolis. and President Dettry, of this
city. Mr.. Wilson said that all the improved
conditions I'm and about the mines since 1900
had been brought about through the miners
organiza ton. He advised the men to remain
true to the union and continue TO enjoy the
benefits to be derived therefrOm. President
Dettrys address was in the same vein.