Evening journal., 1903-01-19
JOHN MITCHELL
SAYS FAREWELL
Tell Strike Commission That
5000 Miners Are Idle in
Coal Region
RESTLESS AND MENACE TO PEACE

what VIII piODdDly prove TO be his
final address before the anthracite
strike commission John Mitchell Sat
urday called attention to the fact that
5000 anthracite miners are still with
out employment, and that the restless
ness of these men is something Of a
menace to the existing peace in the
region. The presentment of the New
York, Ontario and Western case was
concluded. Mr.. Mitchell later left for
Indianapolis to attend the annual con
vention Of the United Mine Workers.
The first witness for the Delaware.
Lackawanna and Western was on the
stand when the usual hour of adjoun-
ment arrived. Mr.. Mitchell then indi-
Gated his desire to address the COM
mission, and Judge Gray directed him
to proceed. In a clear penetrating
voice the miners, leader said:
This will likely be the last session
Of the investigation that / shall be
able TO attend. The national conven-
ton of the United Mine Workers OF
America usually continues in session
for ten days. At the expiration of
that time we meet in our national wage
+ convention with the bituminous coal
& operators to fix the annual wage scale
+ for the year ending May 81, 1904. l
f wish to take this occasion to express
my satisfaction and that of the miners
whom / represent for the manner in
which the investigation is being con-
Quoted
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 lawlessness existed to a large eX-
Y tent during the strike, or during the
& latter part of the strike. The nom
union man who was brought here, the
fellow who was called a scab, was
G brought here for the same purpose he
s was put in the mines. He was put in
the mines for the purpose of destroy
ing the efforts of the men who went on
strike Hewas brought here under the
pretext of getting an advance inwages.
He was decoyed by plea made be-
fore the commission that an effort
would be made by those who had his
case in charge to secure for him an
Increase in wages. He came here paid
by the companies, hotel bills paid by
hem, and our men, who went around
o see them, say money was furnished
o them to enjoy theselves while they
we're here. He came here, and in not
pne single instance did those who rep
esent him attempt to show that he
4 vas entitled to an increase in his earn
ngs. The non-union man was used,
betrayed, by those who proposed to
axe care of his interests before the
commission.
There is one other question that l
eel it is my duty to speak of. AS the
commission are no doubt aware, sew
raj days ago 1 addressed a communi-
s ation to all the anthracite mine work.
rs, urging them to cooperate with the
MANAGEMENT Of the mines in inereas-
hg the output of the mines for the
urpose of relieving this terrible suf-
sring due to the coal famine. Since
hy communication was received by
nem 1 have heard from a large num-
er of our local unions, and in nearly
very instance the miners tell me that
ne production of coal cannot be in
.eased through any effort of theirs;
nat in most cases the companies are
.iling to furnish them as many cars
they could load. In other words,
be regular turn of cars would not
mount to as much as the men are ac-
istomed and willing to load, so that
ev cannot increase the output of the
ines. There may be some few cases,
hey say, where they could, and have
greed to do So"
"AIr Mitchell" interrupted Major
verett Warren, "will you produce
.oof of any of those cases you are
Dw stating, cases where they cannot
Il the cars and where the fault is
it'll the companies? You say you
thered your information from your
en-. your associates, and your To-
Is. I suggest it would be fail
both ourselves and yourself If you
ould furnish the commission with
me facts to justify the statement
At the men are not able to get any
coal in these days because ol
lack OF opportunity dhOiueu 'non
he companies. My associates and
friends here and the general super
ndents who are here inform me i
ot the fact.
II am not attempting Of course" re
ed Mr.. Mitchell ito testify as VIII
SIS in the matter. l am giving tn
urces of my information in each case
do not say this for the purpose Q
Acing the responsibility on anybod'
e The fact of the matter is, my in
rmation would indicate that 1t Is I'm
ssible to move more coal. The min
tell me the tracks are congeste
g. tn loaded cars of coal at the mines.
ntinuing his statement, he said:
Il. Il want to say this in connecto
tn it: We have 5000 men who wer
strike and have so far been refuse
: right to work. They are ready
8 ne coal and If there is a shortae
coal in the country, and It is pos
bic to move a larger amount OF