The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
Attitude of the Miners Outlined Before
the Union Presidents Departure
for Indianapolis.
OUTPUT MAY BE INCREASED
IF THE 5000 IDLE STRIKERS BE PUT
TO WORK AS PROMISED.
Mr.. Mitchell an American and Is OPP
posed to Lawlessness-Non-
unfOnists Were Misled.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. T.-President
John Mitchell, of the Mine Workers Union,
before leaving for Indianapolis to attend
the national convention of his organization
and subsequently the national wage con-
vention of soft-coal operators and mine
workers, delivered to-day what he believed
was his farewell address to the coal strike
commission The Scranton Coal Company
closed it's case during the session to-day
and was followed by the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna & Western Railway Company 1t
was while the latter company was exam
lining witnesses that the hour for adjourn
ment for the week arrived, and Mr.. Mitchell
arose and asked to be permitted to make
a few remarks. All the attorneys repre-
senting the different interests before the
commission crowded around Mr.. Mitchell
as he prefaced his remarks by saying that
il would likely be the last session of the
investigation he would be able to attend
He explained why he is called West, and
said:
my satisfaction and that of the miners
whom | represent for the manner in which
the investigation is being conducted. L
feel confident that by the thoroughneSS of
the inquiry Ii will result in much good.
There has been a large part of the time
of the commission taken up by the pre-
sentation of evidence 10 show lawlessness
in the coal field or that lawlessness existed
to large extent during the latter part of
the strike. Personally, / bear no ill-will
to those who came here, bear no personal
malice to those who worked, and in stating
what l am saying l am trying to separate
myself, as far as possible, from the special
interests 1 represent The nonuniOn 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
pf pfetext of getting an advance in wages. He
was decoyed by a plea made before the
commission that an effort would be made
by those who had his case in charge to
secure for him an increase of 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 10 them to enjoy themselves
while they were here. He came here, and
in not one single instance did those who
represent him attempt to show that he was
entitled to an increase in his earnings. The
who proposed to take care of his interests
before the commission.
AN AMERICAN ABOVE ALL
'I want to say, too. as to the matter of
lawlessness, that before being president of
a union, before being member of union,
1 am American over and above every
thing else. l believe every man should be
first an American. There is no man con-
nected with the organization; there is no
man associated with this investigation who
would condemn lawlessness stronger than
would. If / did not do il because / was
opposed to lawlessnesS / would do il be-
cause il initiates against the success of a
strike and against the success and advance
ment of the organization. / do not believe
lawlessness ever won strike. 1 do believe
lawlessness to very large degree deters
men from working. l believe lawlessness
under all circumstances will mitigate
against men who go on strike. AS L have
said many times. / have an abiding faith
in the American people. I believe that
when they understand cause to be ri ut
they will support II, and without the sup
port of the people no great movement can
succeed. That is true of strike. II the
people of the country are not In sympathy
with it it must fail. and I am sure the
sympathy of the people will never be with
those who violate the law.
There Is one other question that I feel
IT is my duty to speak Of AS the commits
sion is no doubt aware, several days ago
/ addressed communication to all the
anthracite miners urging them to cooper
ate with the management of the mines, In
crcasing the output of the mines for the
purpose OF relieving this terrible suffering
due to the coal famine Since my commune
Ca ton WAS received bv them have heard