The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-04-18
MITCHELL LIKES
STRIKE DECISION
WRITES IN COLLIER's WEEKLY
OF SCOPE OF DECISION OF
STRIKE COMMISSION.
VIOLENCE is CONDEMNED.
Operators and Miners Might Have Got
Together on Same Basis-Pteads
for Future Harmony in
Mining.

John Mitchell, the wonderful leader
of the anthracite coal miners, strongly
praises the Presidents strike commits
sion for its most fair decision in
lengthy article in Golfers Weekly.
Il feel,' he says, "a great degree Of
satisfaction in the fact that our posi-
ton has been sustained. The award
of the commission has increased wages,
shortened hours, and effected a general
improvement in the conditions of en-
ployment True, we did not get all we
asked for; but it was not reasonable
to expect that the commission would
grant every one Of our demands. We
had never supposed that. in any. final
settlement, either by direct negotiation
or arbitration, we should win at all
points. Nevertheless, under this award
the anthracite mine workers will re-
| ceive a greater measure of justice than
was ever before accorded them. A fact
| of deep significance in this connection
! is that the army of workers in that
field were never able to secure a proper
hearing until they had organized. Not
| until they formed a union were they
| able to have their case so presented
that the public could pass judgment
! upon it's merits. A demand for labor
reform is like demand for any other
| reform-it can not win unless it is
justifiable and is supported by public
| opinion. We were not able to induce
the employers to take up the case on
it's merits; but the American people did
so take it up, and they compelled the
method of settlement which has led to
such wholesome results.
| Let me say at the outset and with
all possible emphasis, that am in full
accord with the commission in it's con-
demnation of violence and intimidation.
Some of these evils are perhaps newt
able in any great labor struggle, but I
have always maintained that the worst
enemy OF our cause is the man who
resorts to lawlessness. I hope the time
may come when strikes will be of rare
occurrence, tfl n f. and, IL there: must =: be
lstr 1lsl hat :noa.Y lelnce accom-
llpanys loes=sfor sf1fore
! harm than good to the cause of labor:
| But it often happens that labor is not
| the only breaker of the laws of the
| country. And if I have any criticism
! to make of the report of the commits
sion, it is on the ground that while it
justly and properly condemned lawless-
ness on the part Of the few misguided
workmen, it did not with equal severity
condemn violation of the law by the
managers Of corporations. Such acts
as those committed by John Markle in
his evictions should have called forth
the specific condemnation of the COM
mission. There is less excuse for vio-
lence on the part of men Of wealth,
education and position, than on the
part of poor, ignorant, struggling fell
lows who may know no other law than
that of brute force. Human nature Is
what it is; and my influence in the
coal fields, and the influence and dis
cipline of our organization. could not
be expected to transform all human
nature in the twinkling Of an eye.
There has always been more or less
violence in the coal region; it was
there before our organization appeared
upon the scene; there was far less Of
it after we had organized the region,
and lss of it because of the presence
and restraint Of our organization.
| "Over and above the increase Of wages
and shortening Of hours, of paramount
Importance Is that feature of the award
which directs that when grievances
can not be settled by direct negotiation
between employers and men, they shall
be referred to point board Of concilia-
tion or arbitration. That is the very
thing have always contended for. 1t
Is one of the cardinal principles of the
United Mine Workers. Ever since !
have had anything to do with labor
organizations I have stood for the prin-
cip1e that the men have the right to
select whomever they wish to repre-
sent them. The joint mthod of settling
disputes, if carried out in the proper
spirit, should operate to avert most
strikes. It brings into close contact
two forces, often hostile, and tends
naturally and inevitably to establish
more friendly business-like relations
which must surely lead to good results
Eve all learn in the school fexper-
ience. We have made our mistakes
and the operators have made theirs
/ But it is our joint duty to avoid such
mistakes in the future and to try to get
The operaors are men Of broad compre-
hension, keen in business, able to see
}, both sides of a question, and can not
believe it possible they will forever try
to maintain the illogical attitude and
foolish prejudices Of the past. AS cases
arise UNDER the award of the commits
sion, the board of Cancellation will be
appealed to. =: Our organization will be
. part of that board. Our district pres
idents will be members of it, and may
appear on the scene, now and then.
trust it Will not be long before the
: operators learn we. are reasonable hu.
man beings like, themselves, even If w
), do belong to 4 union. 4: =. g. III F.
t. The .comInlssi on. ecommend certain
= changes in the: organisation Of the