Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-04-17
suaded to more convincing consisten-
cy of utterance.''
Mitchell onI,abor

ing article in Golfers Weekly on the
coal strike and labor unions. He
says:
The report of the anthracite coal
strike commission is, on the whole,
fair and just to the men and the or
ganization l represent. l feel great
degree of satisfaction in the fact that
our position has been sustained. The
award of the commission has increas-
ed wages, shortened hours, and effect
ed general Improvement. True, we
did not get all we asked for; but it
was not reasonable to expect that the
commission would grant every one of
our demands. We had never supposed
that in any final settlement, either by
direct negotiation or arbitration, we
should win at all points. Neverthe-
less. under this award the anthracite
mine workers viii receive a greater
measure of justice than was ever be-
fore accorded them. A fact of deep
significance in this connection is that
the army of workers in that field
were never able to secure a proper
hearing until they had organized. Not
until they formed union were they
able to have their case SO presented
that the public could pass judgment
upon its merits. A demand for labor
reform is like demand for any other
reform-it cannot win unless it is jus
tifiable and is supported by public
opinion. We were not able to induce
the employers to take up the case on
its merits; but the American people
did take it up, and they compelled
the method of settlement which has
led to such wholesome results.
Let me say at the outset, and with
all possible emphasis. that l am in full
accord with the commission in its
cOndemnat ton of violence and intimi-
dation. Some of these evils are per-
haps inevitable in any great labor
struggle, but l have always maintain
ed that the worst enemy of our cause
is the man who resorts to lawlessness.
Over and above the increase of wages
and shortening of hours, of para
mount Importance is that feature of
the award which directs that when
grievances cannot be settled by di-
rect negotiation between employers
and men, they shall be referred to a
joint board of Cancellation or arbitra-
ton. That is the very thing have al
ways contended for. 1t is one of the
cardinal principles of the United Mine
Workers. Faithful observance by both
operators and miners of the award of
the commission will, in my judgment,
secure many, many years of industri-
al peace in the anthracite region.
This may be called bowling to the
law; and so far as we are concerned
we should have abided by the verdict
OF the commission, in good faith, if
its award had been against us instead
of in our favor. 1t is more than like
ly that at the end of the three years
for which this award is made one side
or the other, or both, may want some
changes in the wage scale. Such
changes should be arranged through
joint conference, and Il new agree
ment for a term of years entered
upon.
"One thing upon which / think we
will agree is that there should be very
little of outside or government inter
| ference. Employers and employed
should adjust all their differences be-
tween themselves. 1t is only in n
great emergency, like the one of last
year, that the Intervention of outside
forces is desirable. l am aware many
men who are friendly to organized
labor as a matter of principle, still
fear that trades unionism may become
| tyrannical and oppressive. But they
should not judge by isolated instances
or petty annoyances. Trade union
ism has done great work in taking
children out of factories, in raising
the age limit, in securing compulsory
education and other reforms. 1t has
done more than any other agency to
fill up the standard of labor and of
comfort.
''The fear that the rise of trade
uniOnism will become a menace to
society, to government or to social
order is utterly fallacious. Unions are
a part of the people of the United
States-the patriotic. Industrious peo-
pie. As labor man l say that the
stronger they grow the more conser-
vative they become. This tendency,
hope and believe, win continue in
definitely. The best friends of organ
lied labor are those who believe and
who teach that it can thrive only by
being right, by being moderate and
just, and by feeling and meeting its
responsibility as one of the great
forces of our citizenship and indus-
trialism."
Unionism is a new thing in this
country and mistakes made by its
leaders must be attributed to mex
perience in handling great bodies of
men and seeking to solve vast prob
lens. But as Mr.. Mitchell well says,
union men are part of the people of
the United States. They are also
patriotic and conscientious. They are
striving for their betterment and the
good they do for themselves will bene-
fit all.