Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-21
Miners Leader Says Finding Of
Strike Commission is Gratifying.
TALKS OF THE POSITION OF LABOR
President of the United Mine Workers
Writes of His ldeas-Unites in Con-
demnng Violence-Believes That
There Should Be No Interference.

',The report of the Anthracite Coal
Strike commission is, on the whole,
fair and Just to the men and the organ
ization | represent" declares John
Mitchell, and | feel a great degree of
satisfaction in the fact that our posi-
ton has been sustained. The award
of the commission has increased wag-
es, shortened hours. and effected a gen
eral improvement in the conditions of
employment. True, we did not get all
we asked for; but it was not reason
able to expect that the commission
would grant every one OF our demands.
We had never supposed that in any fin
al settlement, either by direct nego-
tiations or arbitration, we should win
at all points. Nevertheless, under the
this award, the anthracite mine work
ers will receive a greater measure of
justice than was ever before accord
ed them. A fact of deep significance
in this connection is that the army of
workers in that field were never able
to secure proper hearing until they
had organized. Not until they formed
a union were they able to have their
case presented so that the public could
pass Judgment upon it's merits. A de.
mand for labor reform is like demand
for any other reform-it can not win
unless it is iustifable and is supported
by public opinion. We are not able
to induce the employers to take up the
case on its merits; but the American
people did so take it up, and they COM
PEELED the method of settlement which
has led to such wholesome results.
Let me say at the outset, and with
all possible emphasis that am in full
accord with the commission in it's con-
demnation of violence and intimidation.
Some of these evils are perhaps inevi
table in any great labor struggle, but
have always maintained that the
worst enemy to our cause is the man
who resorts to lawlessness.
'Over and above the increase OF
wages and shortening of hours of par,
amount Importance is that feature oil
the award which directs that when
grievances can not be settled by di
rect negotiation between employers
and men, they shall be referred to 6
Joint board of Cancellation or arbitra
ton. That is the very thing that | have
always contended for. 1t is one of the
cardinal principles of the United Mine
| Workers.
| Faithful observance by both oper
| ators and miners of the award of thu
commission will, in my judgment, Sc
cure many, many years of industrial
peace in the anthracite region. Thi!
may be called bowling to the law
and SO far as we are concerned W.
should have abided by the verdict O
the commission in good faith. if its
award had been against us instead o.
in our favor. 1t is more than likel.
that at the end of the three years FOL
which this award is made, one side OF
the other, or both, may want some
changes in the wage scale. Sucf
changes should be arranged through
joint conference, and new agreement
/ for a term of years entered upon
1 "One thing upon which l think VIZ
will all agree is that there should b.
very little of outside or government
interference. Employers and employ
ed should adjust all their differences
between themselves. 1t is only in
great emergency, like the one of las
year, that the intervention of outsid
forces is desirable.
81 am aware that many men who ar
friendly to organized labor as a matte
of principle. still fear that trades unior