The sun., 1905-07-31
John Mitchell on the Coal Strike.

We are indeed glad to be able to say
to our readers, on no less authority
than that of Mr.. JOHN MITCHELL, that
the stories Of strikes and general strikes
in the coal mining districts are "all rot.
He denies with indignation that any
preparations are being made either
for a strike this fall or for strike next
spring, when the agreements between
the miners and their employers will
expire. As for strike this fall, he
declares that "the United Mine Workers
have never broken an agreement yet
and do not propose to begin now"
If Mr.. MITCHELL had read with greater
care the editorial article in THE sun Of
July 27, to which he objects, he would
have seen that we said that it was sin
conceivable that either miners or opera
tors would assume responsibility for
the precipitation of conflict during
the life Of the agreements. AS for
Mr.. MIrcHELL's denial that any prep
arations are being made for strike
next April, or that defense fund is
being raised in expectation of struggle
at that time, we admit the probability
Of Mr.. MITcHELLs better information
and are glad to have his assurance OF
peace in the coal areas. So far as we
know Mr.. MITCHELL has made no threats,
no positive assertions, regarding strike
next year.
But when we see a nation mobilizing
its army and doing all it can to fill it's
treasury, and when we hear some of
its leaders talking war and preparedness
for war we are Compelled to believe
that war is at least possible. All this
may be said for the United Mine Workers.
At the annual meeting of the organiza-
ton last January Mr.. MITCHELL said,
in calling attention to the expiration
of the agreements:
1T Il. Of course. necessary 70 say th.t OF! sh!!
ity 10 make further advancement-or even 70
retain our present standard of living and wages
will depend In no small degree upon the strength
and solidarity Of our union"
Just before the opening Of that con-
vention it was reported that an effort
would be made in the convention to
fix a per capita assessment for raising
large defense fund, and delegates say
that there will be not less than 5000 900
in the national treasury at the expira-
ton of the present wage contract in
April, 1905.
1t is no secret that for several weeks
Mr.. MITCHELL has been busily at work
in the coal district, addressing large
and small bodies Of miners and urging
them to get together. He is quoted as
saying at Scranton on July 81:
II am spprehensive Of the condition which may
prevail next year. Five hundred thousand mine
workers will be affected by the expiration OF these
agreements. II we are prepared We can gain
better conditions than We are enjoying at the
present time"
All this may or may not point clearly
to the peace which MIR. MITCHELL pre-
diets because he believes that satis-
factory agreements will be entered
upon without much difficulty But,
from all that has been said and done
during the last seven months, it seems
to us that the United Mine Workers
intend to meet their employers on the
first Of next April with smile on their
faces and clubs in their sleeves. Mr..
MITCHELL has said that he will not be
satisfied until the miners get an eight
hour day and full recognition for their
union. What happens il he does not
get these and the advance in wages
which he also wants? The talk OF
some Of his lieutenants, notably that
of Vice-President LEWIS Of the United
Mine Workers, is far less pacific than
that of Mr.. MITCHELL.
We sincerely hope that Mr. MITCHELL
Is right, that there will be no strike,
either this fall or next spring, and that
mutually satisfactory agreements be.
tween miner and operator may be made
and kept for all time.