The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-09

Presidtnt John Mitchell Addresses the
Miners Convention and Speaks op-
tmistically of the Future of the
organatlon-ls Applauded.

Sranton, Pa, May S.-Work will be re-
sumed by the mineworkers throughout tho
anthracite field Thursday morning. The
reparmen and any others necessary to
prepare the colieries for general opera
tions will report for work tomorrow morn
ing This was decided upon at the closing
session of the convention held this after
noon. At the morning session the agree-
ment entered into on Monday in New York
between the operators and the sub-scale
committee was formally ratified.
| A few of the radicals took the floor
when the motion to ratfy the Monday
| agreement was made and once more urged
that the suspension be turned into a strike
but they were hopelessly in the minority
and their remarks were listened to in
silence. The convention adopted resolu-
tions condemnng the state constabulary
and providing for the mineworkers. and
an organization taking an active part in
| politics in the nomination and support
of legislative candidtes.
| President Mitchell was not present dur
ing the earlier proceedings of the conven-
| ton. When he entered the hall he was
vociferously applauded, and was called
upon for speech. He said:
| This will probably be the last time
that | shall address YOU and it might be
well for me to say 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 accomplish
ed anything. | want to say that believe
you have taken the most advanced step
in the history of this movement
| lyon have never before secured a sign
| ed agreement with the operators. II Is
an agreement which is not entered into
! with the United Mine Workers alone. but
with the officers OF the organization, and
they have signed an agreement with your
rational president and with your district
| officers.
Mitchell Optimistic.
| "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 he
| forced to ask them to make an agree
ment with you.
Il
| this region. | urged the mine workers
! to come back into the organization. At
| that time there were only $1,000 members.
| AT the close of that tour there were S0-
| coo members in the organization. Had
| that tour not been made there would
! have been a reduction in wages accord
| ing to reliable information that | have
| in my possession. My information Is
| that the railroads were ready to increase
| the working day from nine to ten hours;
| TO require the engineers to work seven
days In the week. and to require the fire.
| men to work twelve hours instead OF
eight II 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 ] said before, this
| may be the last time ! will have the privi-
| leRe of addressing you. Whether 1t Is, or
| not, you owe 1t to yourselves, 10 your
| families. to your class. and to your craft.
| to be loyal and true to this organization
which has done 50 much for you. 1t can
and will do more for you II you will
stand by II and remain true to your
| selves"
There was a tremendous outburst of APP
| pause when Mr.. Mitchell sat down. The
convention adjourned sine die Immediate
| ly afterwards.
Mr. Mitchell will leave here tomorrow
/ afternoon for indianapolis.