The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-22
JOHN MITCHELL
 MUCH AFFECTED Labor Leader Turns Down Offer
 of Big Sum MAKES ELOQUENT ADDRESS Western Miners Present Retiring Pres ldent With Token of Gratitude, But Mitchell Turns Gift
 Over To His Wife.
MAKES ELOQUENT ADDRESS

Indianapolis, January H.-Perhaps the most eloquent speech President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers ever made in his life, was this afternoon, when he declined to a, apt a personal gift of $2700 rendered him by the miners of Mon tana and Wyoming as a token of their appreciation of President Mitchells efforts to make their condition better. As he spoke, trying to check his emotion. tears came to his eyes.
 Give it to Mrs. Mitchell and the chill dren," he said, trembling with emotion Big hardy miners shed tears with him.
 Thomas Gibson, president of the Mon- tana miners, had come to the platform carrying a draft for $23O0 He said the draft was backed by smaller amount which would bring the amount np to $27O0.
 We do not come with loving cup he said, 'bHt we feel it is our duty to give some testimony of our appreciation of what President Mitchell has done for us. ,
 Then President Mitchell arose. As he spoke, he seemed ready to break down.
 Gentlemen of the convention" he said "and particularly the miners of Montana and Wyoming, l cannot explain to you how I appreciate this expression of good will and confidence in me. I don't know what to dol don't want the money. If l could ask you to take 1t back and give it to the men who sent 1t here and feel sure they would know I appreciate their confidence as much as though they had given me as many millions as they have hundreds, I would feel better about 1t.
 ''I prefer that you take the money back but if you cannot do that without danger of giving offense to the good people who sent it to me- then send 1t to Mrs Michell and let her use it to educate our boys"
 The draft will be sent to Mrs. Mitchell
 The 18th annual convention of the United Mine Workers of America opened today in Tomlnson hall with 1000 dele gates representing the anthracite and bi- luminous coal mining districts of the country. The convention will remain in session probably until after January 30, on which date the miners and operators of the central competitive field win meet in conference to discuss the revival of the interstate wage agreement. Should the operators decline to meet with the miners the convention will then deter mine upon the organizations future course.
 Except this. little of importance will come before the convention which has especial interest as marking the official retirement of President Mitchell. who has been at the head of the organization for nine years. The miners have voted by unions for new officers and the tellers are at work on the count.
 President Mitchell was loudly cheered when he entered the hall today. He merely bowed his acknowledgment and called the convention to order. The work of the credentials committee was the first business
 MitcheIl's Report.
 With his annual report MT. Mitchell submitted series of statistical tables. indicating the growth. progress and achievements of the organization during his presidency. The average paid-up membership has increased from 9731 in 1897 to 26S726 in 1907. The increase last year was 35305. The organization Is in better condition numerically than ever before.
 The report said that to bring into the organization other miners will require much money and possibly the naugura- tion of some new policy. Bitter hostility of bituminous operators and indifference of anthracite miners were mentioned as factors Attention was called to the ap- preaching conference January B between operators and miners of the central com petitive field to discuss the rehabilitation of the wage agreement. but no recommen- dation was made. The miners favor the agreement. Mir. Mitchell suggested that the miners convention remain in session until that time in order to determine upon a definite policy should the operators re- fuse to meet the miners in Joint conven- tion The action of certain locals in violating their contracts was deplored. Att tention was called to mine casualties and laye further protectipg miners were aaksd