The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-18
ASSERTS THAT 5000 MEN
 ARE READY 10 START WORK
Charge That Non-Unlon Men Were Brought Before Commission for the Same Purpose They Were Put In
 the Mines-Expenses Paid.

the national convention of his organlza- ton, and subsequently, the national wage convention of the soft coal operators and mine workers, delivered today what he believed was his farewell address to the coal strike commission.
 The Scranton Coal company closed it's case during the session tooay and was followed by the Delaware, Lackawanna and western railroad. It was while the latter company was examining witnesses that the hour for adjournment for the week arrived, and Mitchell arose and asked to be permitted to make few re- marks. He explained why he is called west, and said:
 T wish to take this occasion to express my satisfaction and that of the miners whom I represent, for the manner In which the investigation is being con- ducted. feel confident it will result in much good.
 There has been large part of the time of the commission taken up by the presen- l tation of evidence to show lawlessness in the coal fields or that lawlessness existed to large extent during the latter part of the strike.
 bears NO Personal Malice. Personally, I bear no i'll will to those who come here, bear no personal malice 1 to those who worked, and stating what I am saying, I am trying to separate my self as far as possible from the special l interests I represent. The non-union man who was brought here, the fellow who was called a scab,' was brought here for the same purpose he was put in the mines. He was put in the mines for the purpose of destroying the efforts of the men who went on strike. He was brought here under the pretext of getting an ad- vance in wages He was decoyed by q plea made before the commission that an effort would be made by those who had his case in charge to secure for him an in- crease in wages He came nere 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 I instance did those who represent him at tempt to show that he was entitled to an increase in his earnings The non-union man was used, betrayed by those who proposed to take care of his interests | before the commission.
 1 'I want to say too, that before being president of a union, that before being member of union, I am an American over and above every thing else.
 Should First Be an American.
 q believe that every man should first be an American. There is no man con- nected with the organization; there is no man associated with this investigation, who would condemn lawlessness strong CT than I would If l did not do it be- cause I was opposed to lawlessness, I would do it because it initiates against | ( |. ..tlr .s,1 Afx.1f tIA success and advancement of the organ | ization. I do not believe that lawlessness ever won strike. l do not believe that lawlessness to very large degree deters men from working. 1 have an abiding faith in the American people; l believe that when they understand a cause to be right, they will support it, and with out the support of the people, no great movement can succeed. That Is true Of a strike and I am sure the sympathy of the people will never be with those who | violate the law.
 "There is one other question that l feel it is my duty to speak or
 l "As the commission Is no doubt
 aware several days ago l addressed
 communication to all the anthracite
 miners urging them to cooperate with
 the management of the mines, in in-
 creasing the output of the mines, Tor
 the purpose of relieving this terrible
 suffering, due to the coal lanlhe. Since my communication was receiv-
 ed by them, I have learned from
 large number of local unions and in
 nearly every instance the miners tell
 me that the production of coal cannot
 be increased through any effort or
 theirs. That in most cases the com
 panies are failing to furnish them as
 many cars as they would load In
 other words, the regular turn of cars
 .
 men are accustomed and willing to load. so that they cannot increase the
 output of the mines. There may De
 in some few cases. they say, that
 they could and have agreed to do so.
 Major Warren Interrupts. Major Evrett Warren of Scranton, who renresents several coal shipments before l inc commission. interrupted MT. Mitchell 1 and requested him to bring proof Tor war ranting the assertions just made. The companies he said had information to l the contrary.
 In reply to this MT. Mitchell said:
 "I am not attempting, of course, to l testify as a witness in the matter. l am giving the sources of my information in l each case. I do not say this for the pur- pose of placing the responsibility of any ] body else The fact of the matter is. my l information would indicate, that it is inn possible to move coal The miners tell me the tracks are congested with loaded cars of coal at the mines. l want to say this in connection with it. we have 5000 men who were on strike that have so far l secure them work in the mines. They | are ready to mine coal. There is a short age of coal in the country and as I be- lieye both the miners and operators are doing what they can to get coal out of the mines, but the operators can at least increase 1t to the extent of putting our 5000 men at work, who they agreed to 1 start to work when thye submitted to | the commission.
 Want to Prevent Trouble.
 We have waited patiently since the date of resumption for our men to be l placed back in the mines. We believe