The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-01-26
MITCHELL OF THE MINES
ADDRESSES THE ANTHRACITE COAL COMMISSION
AND TELLS IT THAT MORE COAL COULD BE
MINED TO MEET THE COAL FAMINE II THE
RAILROADS AND OPERATORS WANTED IT.

PHILADELPHIA January 17-President John Mitchell of
the Mine Workers Union before leaving indianapolis attend
the national convention of his organization and subsequently the
national wage convention Of the Soft Coal Operators and Mine
Workers. delivered today what he believed his farewell adj
dress to the coal strike commission The scranton Coal Com
pany which also operates the coeres of the Elk Hill Coal and
Iron Company closed its during the session today and
followed by the Delaware Lacawanna and Western Railway
Company. 1t while the latter company examining
that the hour for adjournment for the week arrived and
Mitchell and asked be permitted make
All the attorneys representing the different interests before the
commission crowded around the miners leader he prefaced
his remarks by stating that would likely by the last session of
the investigation he would be able attend He explained why
he is called West and said Il wish take this
press satisfaction and that OF the whom represent
for the manner in which the investigation being conducted
feel confident that by the horougness of the inquiry will
suit in much good.
There has been large part the of commission
taken by the presentation of evidence show awessncs
fields or that lawlessness existed to large extent during
the latter part Of the strike Personally, bear -wi those
who here bear personal malice those who worked
and in stating what am saving am irving to separate m self
far possible from the special interests represent The
who brought here the fellow who called
cab brought here for the purpose that he put
in the mines He put in the mines for the purpose of de-
Sroyng the efforts of the who went strike He
brought here under the pretext of getting advance wages
He decoyed by plea made before the commission that
effort would be made by those who had his case in charge to
for him increase of wages He here paid by the
companies hotel bills paid by them and men, who
around Them say money furnished them
themselves while they here
He here and in single instance did those who
him attempt to show that he entitled increase
in his earnings The used betrayed by those
who proposed take of his before the
Il say, the matter of awesness that before
being president of union, before being member of union,
am American and and above everything else.
believe that should first be American There
connected with the organizations there associated
with this investigation who would condemn awessness stronger
than would did not do it because was opposed to law
essness would do because initiates against the of
strike against the of organ
zaon not believe lawlessness even won strike do not
believe lawesness very large degree. deters from
working believe lawlessness under all circumstances will mill
tate against men who go strike.
"As have said times, have abiding faith the
American people believe that when they understand
to be right they will support and without the support the
people no great movement succeed That is OF strike
If the people of the in sympathy with it,
fail and the sympathy OF the people will be with
those who violate the law.
There other question that my duty speak
Of AS the commission is doubt aware several days ago
addressed communication all the anthracite miners urging
them to cooperate with the management OF the mines in ncreas-
ing the output of the for the purpose Of relieving this
rble suffering due the coal famine Since my communication
received by them have heard from large number of
local unions and in nearly instance the miners tell that
the production Of coal be increased through any effort of
theirs that most the companies failing to furnish
them they would load In other words the
uar turn of will not amount much the
customed and willing load that they increase the
output of the mines In few they that they could
and have agreed to do So.
Major Everett of Scranton represents
coal companies before the commission interrupted Mitchell and
requested him bring proof for waanng the assertions just
made The companies he said had information to the contrary
and they would show that the do and willing
load many they can be furnished with.
In reply this Mitchell said e" am not attempting OF course
testify witness in the | giving the of
my information each do say this for the purpose
of placing the responsibility anybody else The fact of the
is information would indicate that it impossible
coal The miners tell the tracks cOngeSed
with loaded of coal the mines. this
necton with it, that have who strike that
have been refused the right work They
mine coal There shortage of coal in the country and be-
eve that both the miners and the doing what they
get out OF the mines but they least increase to
the extent of putting work. whom they agreed
work when they submitted the this commission
and agreed to abide by the decision of the commission
1--WE have waited patiently the date of resumption for
men to be placed the We believe they ought
be given work Wedo and will trouble
at the mines but will do all we prevent But
commission understand that the who have been idle all
this time getting impatient They writing every day. ask
ing if something be done them work i'll the
They charged of with being criminals. 1t is
alleged that they left their jobs and all that but they go