Milford chronicle., 1906-05-11
MINERS RATIFY
AGREEMENT
Convention Decides to Enter Politics
and Dsnounces Constabulary.
MITCHELL WILDLY CHEERED

Scranton, Pa, May 9.-Work will ba
resumed by the mine workers through
out the anthracite field Thursday
morning. The repairmen and any 9TH
ers necessary to prepare the collieries
for general operations reported for
work today "wednesday. Those
things were decided upon at the clos
ing session Of the convention. The
agreement entered into on Monday be-
tween the operators and the sub-scale
committee was formally ratified.
The convention was called to order
by District President T. D. Nichols,
and the first matter brought up were
two resolutions coOndemning the state
cOnstabulaTy.
One of them referred to the con-
stabulary as cossacks, and also COM
pared them to "the evicting Irish con-
stabulary" The other characterized
them as "a rowing band of armed
men," Both resolutions pledged the
miners to work for the repeal of the
constabulary law. The resolutions were
adopted unanimously.
n lEDOluLAOu BAONAhAAAs7 ACA liz AACAN
ing of tri-district conventions annu-
ally was offered, but promptly tabled.
The following resolution favoring the
taking of political action by the or
ganization was offered and adopted:
Whereas, The representatives of all
political parties to the state legisla-
ture have done nothing for the mine
r,yorIxorc Of fI,fc bn If
Resolved, That the mine workers in
convention assembled at Scranton go
on record as advising all local unions
to take action in getting representa-
tives placed in the field to represent
all crafts of labor in the state of Penn
sylvania."
President Mitchell came in and he
was loudly applauded. He was called
upon before adjournment for a speech.
He said:
"This will probably be the last time
that 1 shall address you, and it might |
be well for me to say one or two |
things. Some are inclined to believe |
that because we have not secured an
advance in wages or any improvement |
in the conditions of employment, that |
we have not accomplished anything. I
taken the most advanced step in the
history of this movement.
you have secured what you have
never before secured-a signed agree
ment with the operators. 1t is an
agreement which is not entered into
with the United Mine Workers, but
with the officers of that organization,
but they have signed an agreement
with your national president and with
your district officers.
'I am convinced that if the United
Mine Workers maintain the strength
and solidarity of their organization,
that three years hence the railroad
presidents will ask you to make an
agreement with them, rather than that
you should be forced to ask them to
make an agreement with you.
Last summer I made tour through
this region. I urged the mine work.
srs to come back into the organiza-
tion. At that time there were only
81, 900 members. At the close of that
tour there were $4,000 members in the
organization. Had that tour not been
made, there would have been a re-
duction in wages, according to relia-
BILE information that have in my pos
session. My information is that the
railroads were ready to increase the
day from to 10 hours; to re-
quire the engineers to work z days in !
the week, and to require the firemen
to work 12 hours instead of 8. If this
Is true, then we have won a victory.
"In conclusion, let me express the
hope that when you return to your
homes you will be as loyal to this
union as you have been in the past
As I said before, this may be the last
time that I will have the privilege of
addressing you. Whether it is or not,
you owe 1t to yourselves, to your fam
lies, to your class and to your craft
70 be loyal and true to this Organiza-
ion which has done so much for you. /
It can and it will do more for you if I
Tou will stand by it and remain true v
o yourselves" i
There was a tremendous outburst of h
applause when Mr.. Mitchell sat down. T
The convention adjourned sine die I
after. As the delegates r
He'd out, some one proposed three
heers for Mitchell, and they were
,iven with a vehemence that was =
airly startling in its righteousness.
Mr.. Mitchell's statement that it may =
10 the last time he will address the
miners has no particular =
ignificance. 1t is a potential statement
70 has frequently made before d
Mr. Mitchell left for Indiapanolis.
AopErMEN7 ,.,rL O1E1n-o1o a