Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-24
MTTCHELL'S FAREWELL
Tells Strike Commission That 5000
Miners Are Idle.
REsTLEssAND MENACE TO PEACE

lars Rs iney SouIo Load anu irdSNS
Are consested-Non-uni Men Be-
trayed.
Philadelphia, Jan. 19.-In making
what will probably prove to be his
6nal 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
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-
mcnt 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 I 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 incur nationalwage
convention with the bituminous. coal
operators TO fix the annual wage scale
for the year ending May 81, 1904.
wish to take this occasion to express
my satisfaction and that OF the miners
rrrh n co. L.,
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 III the coal fields, or
that lawlessness existed to a large ex-
tent during the strike, or during the
latter part OF the strike. The non
union man who was brought here, the
fellow who was called q scab, was
brought here for the same purpose he
was put In the mines. He was put in
tho mines for the purpose OF destroy
Ing the efforts Of the men who went on
strike. Hew brought here under the
pretext OF getting an advance in wages.
~" decoyed by plea made be-
commission that an effort
ae made by those who had his
n charge to secure for him an
Increase in wages. He came here 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 theselves while they
were here. He came here, and In not
one single instance did those who rep
resent him attempt to show that he
was entitled to an increase in his earn
tngs. The non-union man was used,
betrayed, by those who proposed to
take care OF his interests before the
commission.
There is one other question that I
feel 1t is my duty to speak of. AS the
commission are no doubt aware, sew
eral days ago addressed a commune
cation to all the anthracite mine work.
ers, urging them to cooperate with the
management Of the mines in increas-
Ing the output of the mines for the
purpose of relieving this terrible suf-
fertng due to the coal famine. Since
my communication was received by
them / have heard from a large num-
Der OF our local unions, and in nearly
every Instance the miners tell me that
the production of coal cannot be in
creased through any effort of theirs:
that In most cases the companies are
failing to furnish them as many cars
as they could load. In other words
the regular turn of cars would not
amount to as much as the men are ac-
customed and willing to load, so that
frA
mines. There may be some few cases.
they say, where they could, and have
agreed to do so.
we have 5000 men who were
on strike and have so far been refused
the right to work. They are ready to
mine coal, and if there is a SHORTAGE
OF coal in the country, and it is DOS
s1ole to move a larger amount of IL
they at least can increase it to the ex
tent OF putting to work our 5000 men.
whom they agreed to start to work
when they submitted to this commits
sion.
I'VE have waited patiently since the
date OF resumption for our men to be
placed back in the mines. We believe
they ought to be given work. We do
not want to, and will not, cause trouble
at the mines. but will do all we can to
prevent 1t. But 1 want the commits
sion to understand that the men who
have been idle all this tnme are get
ting Impatient. They are writing ey-
cry day asking II something cannot be
done to secure them work in the mines.
They are charged. of course, with being
criminals. 1t is alleged they left their
Jobs. and all that. but If they are go
Ing to have term Of peace for some
years In the anthracite field, It seems
to me they ought to stop fighting now.
and that any desire to punish men by
the companies ought to cease. We are
willing and anxious to get along in
harmony with those in the coal fields.
and will do all we can to establish
good relationship there, and we hope
the coal operators will meet us half