Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-20

q counselor and adviser among his fellow
laborers. To meet Mr.. Mitchell Is not so
very difficult but to get expressions from
him on issues and policies OF the labor fed
Grafton is entirely a different matter and
further testifies to his tact and diplomacy.
A reporter secured a brief interview with
Mr.. Mitchell yesterday afternoon. allusiOn
to which was made in The Star.
A plain-looking. resolute man asked the
reporter what he wanted. He stood on the
stairway as he emerged from a meeting
Of the executive council Of the American
Federation of Labor. He was In his shirt
sleeves and his general appearance indicat-
ed that he was not at all ayerse to taking
a hand when there Is business on hand.
Between his fingers he held the stub Of a
cigar and as he gazed into the eyes Of the
newspaper scribe. there was look which
said: IF you have anything to say to me
please be prompt. This is my busy day."
And he looks It, too
There is no evasion In his speech. His
words are clean-cut and to the point. What
he lacks in stature he makes up in serious
ness and resOlutenesS 1t is readily under
stood why the miners of the great coal re-
giOns are always unit in Invariably dis
posing of vexed questions by leaving II to
Mitchell He Is earnest talker when
he chooses to discuss problems and speaks
with elaboration. There is gentle per-
suasive manner with him that first at
tracts and then charms his auditor.
'How do you feel toward this recent
movement the party of labor In the
matter of politics." ventured the reporter.
l..
with Mr.. Gompers and his fellow-l aborers
I'm their political fight"
But here he stopped, and his diplomacy
checked any prophecy as to what measure
OF success their efforts may attain this
fall
However. in a general way. Mr.. Mitchell
declared that In the contest for legislative
offices in the states. the labor forces are
alive to their opportunity and in many To-
calities are thoroughly aroused under the
stimulating work of President Gompers
and his co-laborers in the federation
Wherever eXpedient labor men are in the
field candidates for the legislature and
for Congress. He saw no reason why the
labOring men should not work for their in
terests in political districts where it was
self-evident that their policies were ignored
ana bitterly opposed.
Mr.. Bryan's Proposition.
Mr.. Mitchell was not inclined to ventilate
his views on government and state owner
ship of railroads as advocated by Mr.
Bryan. nor did be care to venture an opin-
ion the latters presidential possibilities
He was extremely careful about giving out
any information or comment on the fedora
tion councils deliberations. He said that
Mr.. Gompers is the source for any such
news. He is in thorough accord with Mr.
Gompers. and said what is being done un-
questionably meets the full appreciation of
every manNn the labor organization who
has the best interests OF the laborng men
at heart.
What about your running for vice presi-
dent ON the democratic ticket?" queried
the reporter.
"Oh. that is only talk don't care to
discuss that matter There are more i'm
portant matters than personal interests in
hand now"
mine workers in Pennsylvania politics Mr.
Mitchell remarked that in several congress
sional districts the labor men are very ac-
tive in the support of two OF their number
of Iict,i
No. of the mine workers. is the democratic
candidate for Congress in the Scranton
district. represented by Mr.. Dale. and Mr.
William Wilson. national secretary of the
miners organization. has also been named
by the democrats of the Tioga district
Both OF these men. he said, have prospects
for election.
In this connection. Mr. Mitchell remarked
that he is not informed as to whether
Messrs. Dale and Deemer. the present rep-
resentatives of these districts In CONGRESS
are among those who had incurred the dis
pleasure OF the American Federation of
Labor. ~
Mr.. Mitchell leaned back on the stair rail
ing and calmly surveyed the reporter as IL
he had already done a days work. He
Chewed his cigar moment and then re-
marked:
rs there anything else?''
why. yes What do you think OF the
political situation IN New York;" suggested
the reporter
Well now I would not like to express an
sufficiently familiar with the conditions over
there to venture an opinion
Declines to Express Himself.
But don't you consider that victory fol-
Mr.. Hearst would be boon to iabor?' in
quired the reporter.
well would rather not talk about the
matter at all
With this there was an expression on the
face that showed polite resistance to fur
Their probing. 1t was a genteel hint to the
reporter that II there was anything else In
the think-tank 1t was due for presentation
or the interview was at an end.
Then Mr.. Mitchell returned to the com
mittse ROOM where he rejOined his fellow
council members in elaboration.
One of Mr. Mitchells admirers, who was