The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-01-31
John MITCHELL RETIREs.

The further progress of the union la
Dor organization known as the United
Mine Workers Of America will be
watched with considerable interest, now
that John Mitchell, who, served so ably
for several years as president, has
stepped down and out Mr. MitchelPs
retirement was entirely voluntary and
was occasioned solely by Ill health. He
has labored diligently and effectively
for the interest of his union.
John Mitchell first gained national
prominence through his conduct of the
anthracite strike in Pennsylvania.
which resulted in a victory for the min
ers. It will be remembered that Pres
ident Roosevelt urged the arbitration
of the differences between the mine
owners and the. employees, and after
much pressure the operators were in
dueed to yield. A commission composed
of some of the best known men in the
country was appointed, and the result
was an award in favor of the opera
tives.
The affection in which Mr.. Mitchell
is held by those for whom and with
whom he has worked was demonstrated
at the recent meeting in Indianapolis.
Among the incidents of the meeting
was the presentation of check for
$2.70O by the miners of Montana Mr..
Mitchelrs first thought was TO return
the check TO the men who had contrib
uted it. But when it was pointed out
to him that this could not be done, he
accepted it on behalf of his wife for
the education of his children
A report of the meeting says that
men to whom tears have not come
since childhood wept today as John
Mitchell said farewell in his tenth an
nual address as president of the Unit
ed Mine Workers of America" This
notwithstanding the fact that the
greater part of the address was devot-
ed to the business of the organiza-
ton.
One of the principal points made by
Mr.. Mitchell was that the miners must
always keep the contracts they make
with their employers; this he declared
to be the foundation of the prosperity
and development of any labor union.
He said that the union that votes to
abrogate a contract is no more enti-
tied to confidence than any business
man who refuses to carry out his
agreements.
ATr al -I,r,
have made trouble for their employers
by striking in violation of the direct
orders of the international executive
board, and after the board has agreed
with the operators that all differences
shall be settled by arbitration. There
can be no question as to the sound
ness of Mr.. Mitchell's position on these
matters. Certainly no employer can
be expected to contract with any un-
ion that violates its agreements. An
honest man will carry out his contract
even though its execution involves con- |
siderable personal sacrifice. An hon
est union will do the same thing
There is no justification for the ex-
istence Of a labor union. as far as di- |
rect relations with. employers are con-
cerned, unless the employer can go to |
the heads of the union and secure as |
surances that the men, for a specified |
period of time, will work for a speci- /
fed wage. and through specified hours. /
The union always has recourse against /
the employer. The employer has none /
against the union. 1t is, therefore, all /
the more incumbent upon the union to /
deal fairly by the employer after a /
contract has once been signed. sealed |
and delivered