The Washington times., 1906-09-20
MITCHELL FAYORS
LABOR IN POLITICS
PrOpheSieS Better Under
standing Between EN-
pIOyer and EmplOye.

Giving some concrete Illustrations OF
what organization has accomplished for
labor IN ;he last few years 10 this COun-
tsy. and expressing confidence that the
future would witness a continuance OF
progress along siErilar lines. John Mitch
ell, president of the United Mine
Workers Of America. today expressed
his approval Of the incuTsion OF the
American Federation Of Labor in the po-
utical field
Mr. Mitchell believes the outlook is
toward a better understanding between
capital and labor which he thinks will
enable labor to progress along a smooth
CT and easier road in future toward
the realization Of its aims. Some OF the
statements which he made by way OF 81
Illustrating tIc benefits which labor has
derived from organization were start
ling.
Miners Condition Far Better.
THE blJuminous miners Of this coun-
try were never so prosperous as today
said President Mitchell. ''In ten years
their wages have increased from T5 20 100
per cent. They are highly and effective
ly organized. and the Improvement OF
their condition is due 10 that fact Their
case Is en- excellent Illustration or what
viii accomplish for a trade
Some Of the gains they have secured
through strikes; more Of them through
and agreement and friendly
understanding with the operators.
In the anthracite fields the increase
has not been nearly so large. j should
put IL at p To 80 per cent. At any rate.
the increase in wages that effective or
a.. N-N
miners has much more than kept pace
with the cost Of living. ! should say
that the cost Of living among men IN
my own organization don't know
about others-has been about Il per
cent
In response to an expression Of sur
prise al the great increase in the wages
of bituminous miners. Mr.. Mitchell
pointed out that al the beginning OF the
ten-year period 10 which he referred
the men in the bituminOus tields were in
much poorer condition as 20 UrganiZa-
tion than those in the Onthracits field,
and that wages had reached about as
low point as was possible. Since that
time. the bituminous miners have per
fected organization 10 point much
superior 10 that attained by those in the
anthracite region, and have secured
cOrFespOndingly more benefit
Favors Labor Politics.
Asked about the attitude OF the
miners toward the political activities
Of the American Federation OF Labor,
Mr. Mitchell said:
"Of course. as we are a part OF the
Federation, we stand with il IN this
movement Labor proposes to stand
with it's friends. TO oppose its enemies,
and 70 make itself felt hereafter. II
it Is denied the right TO organize OF
to petition for redress Of wrongs. il is
inevitable that labor will do as 1t has
done in some other COuntries-gO into
politics in the most active and effec-
tive way
Mr. Mitchell expressed the opinion
that the policy Of denying Govern
ment the right 10 organize, and 10 ap-
peal directly, through their organiza-
tiOns, 10 the legislative branch Of the
amounted to a denial of
constitutional rights. He did not be
lieye that Government employees could |
be denied any rights that were un-
Quesuonably possessed by other /
classes Of citizens
The outcome of the Maine election |
AfF. Mitchell regarded as a great vic !
tory for the labor movement in |
politics.