The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-08-03
CONCISE EXPOSITION
Of union PRINCIPLES
Fundamental Laws of Unionism
Eloquently Defined BY Presi-
dent John Mitchell.
Correction of Abuses And Main
tenance of Justice the Main
Object.

DENVER, COL, Aug. 1.-LucidIy de-
picting. the present economic condi-
tions and outlining the policy Of his
organization In it's relation to capital,
John Mitchell, president of the United
Mine Workers of America, spoke
foreefully at luncheon given today
by the Why club in the Savoy hotel.
my whole life mas been series of
battles" began the speaker, land yet
l am considered a conservative labor
leader. don't know why have been
SO designated, for have always been
in the. thichest of the fray but feel
safe in saying I am so considered by
the press, the public and the capital
istic world.
Conservative Vet Progressive.
II have by force of circumstances
been forced to be conservative, for
labor has never been truly advanced
! by the demagogic utterances denounc-
ing unreasonably the capitalistic
classes. ,.Xatr dawn in my heart I am
not conservative, for my whole exist
ence is imbued with feverish, rest
less desire for the advancement OF
labor.
1T is mistake to suppose the con-
f1ict between labor and capital-and
there is such a conflict not recon-
ciliable, for 1t Is possible to reconcile
the differences now existing. I find in
my experiences that differences can be
ana are adjusted.
Labors InaIienabIe Right.
There Is one thing, however, we
shall never forego, and that is the in
alienable right to strike. When justice
has not been secured by mediation,
reconciliation or arbitration, then, but
rot till then, we, fall back upon our
right to strike!
There are some questions that are
not fit subjects for arbitration. These
are our fundamental rights. These
are our right to organization, to the
eight-hour law, and the privilege of
spending our money as we may deem
fit. These subjects, I repeat, can
never be arbitrated,
Willingness to Arbitrate.
Wages, and rules governing meth
ods of work are fit subjects for arbi-
tration, and we are always willing to
submit to arbitration along these
lines
I'VE have asked capital to look us
straight in the face; to discern our
differences, man to man, embody our
conclusions in binding contract and
then live up to that contract
I'VE insist this contract shall be in
violable both on the miners and the
employers. 1 consider the violation
of a contract on the part Of a miner
to be violation of .my secret word,
and such a man is Immediately ex-
PEELED from our union. I am person.
ally Responsible for the fulnllment of
their contracts of 100000 miners.
I'VE are only coal men, but we are
doing our level best to promote labor,
life and the pursuit Of happiness.
Correction Of Abuses.
I'VE do not consider we arc disturb.
ing economic conditions unreasonably
when we demand, the correction of
abuses that have for years made coal
miners an object Of pity among the
civilized classes of the world. We
stand only for the protection Of our
homes and the right to educate our
children that are now by force Of
economic conditions being driven into
the black pits OF the earth to add to
| the n1eaKer wages Of the IA er'