Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-14

as follows:
"The following are some of the oh
jections which the operators urge 70
the character. aims and methods of the
United Mine Workers:
"First-It is gigantic trust, formed
Tor the express and avowed purpose OF
controlling all the labor connected
with the entire mining idustry of the
country. and thereby to dominate abso-
lutely that industry.
"Second-It must be manifest to the
commission that il is unwise and in.
eXpedient that both the immense btu
minous industry and the anthracite in
dustry, which are rival and competing
Industries, should be controlled by the
same organization.
"Third-The operators have over
and over again stated that they had
never Disseminated against any of
their employees because of their mem
bership of any union. The operators
do, however, insist that each company
is an entity by itself; that it has a
right to insist upon dealing directly
with its own employees.
"Fourth-We most strenuously OBJ
ject to the character of the organiza-
ton of the United Mine Workers. II
not only admits to its membership, but
it seeks to force into it, all the EN-.
ployes, including boys, who constitute
about 20 per cent. of its membership,
and foreigners unable to speak the
English language, thereby rendering
its local unions body only fit to be
called an unreasoning mob, subject to
every appeal to passion and prejudice.
and swayed by the specious arguments
OF a professional agitator.
'Fifth-We claim that we ought not
to be asked to enter into contracts
with an organization which is utterly
irresponsible. 1t refuses to become in
corporated or to take any other
methods of giving substantial guaranty
of the fulfillment of it's contracts.
'SiXth-We contend that the power
to declare strikes by viva voce vote
and a bare majority is considered in
connection with the character of the
personnel of the organization, consti.
tutes constant menace to the oper-
ators who deal with it.
"Seventh-The higher officers of the
organization seek to escape RESPONSE
bility for the more glazing effects in
its operation. A careful consideration
of the testimony, however, will indi.
cate that the very worst things which
are done are the direct outgrowth Of
the principles enunciated by its lead.
.ers.
"Eighth-The union does not disci-
pine its members for crime. All of
the testimony shows this.
''Ninth-The union sets itself
against and above the institutions and
laws Of the country. Every branch of
government comes within it's condem-
nation. The executive, consisting of
peace officers and military arm of gov
eminent, is accused Of every sort of
improper action, and is condemned
Speaking for the party whom
represent-and doubt not for all the
operators, whether corporate or indie
PENDENT would be willing to set
aside all other issues which are pre-
sented to the commission, and request
them to make their award upon the
issue thus presented. The encour-
agement which would result to unions
OF the character of the United Mine
Workers, and the stimulus which
would be given to the tyrannical law
lessness and defiant methods which
they have pursued, by any substantial
award in their favor, would be SC dis
astrous to the future commercial we'll
being of the country as to be dearly
bought by the opinion that the award
was giving some help where help was
needed"