The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-10-21
Former President of United
Mine Workers Issues State
ment to Public.
SAYS HIS ATTITUDE
HAS BEEN MISREPRESENTED
Merely Advises Every Workman
to Study Issues and Vote
for His Interests.

Mitchell, former president OF the
United Mine Workers of America, to-
day furnished the following statement
TO the Associated Press:
During the past few days / have
received numerous inquiries from sec
rctaries of our local unions in reference
to poster containing an enlarged like
ness Of myself. below which is printed
what purports to be an interview with
me bearing on the present political sit
uation Some of these letters are writ.
ten In n spirit Of criticism, whlle
Others are commendatory and request
that additional posters be mailed for
distribution.
''It is obvious that these posters
have been received by many, If not all,
of the secretaries of our local unions;
il is apparent that Mt least some OF our
members believe that they were sent
out by me, aud the assumption is tbat
| am attempting TO dictate, or at least
to influence the manner III which our
members should vote.
Posters Not Authorized.
''In order to remove any misunder-
standing that may exist l take inns
means Of informing our members thaC
| have not mailed or authorized any one
else to mail TO any member or officer on
our ll1llDu- OF 10 dllF hu' NlSN' any I''''s'
containing my likeness or giving eN-
preston TO my political views, except
SO far as these views are expressed IN
the official circulars authorized by the
executive council of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
"Onlv short time ago weekly pa
per published in the city of Buffalo
printed what p,nrported to be a tele,
gram signed by me, declaring uh,
cquivocally for one Of tho .presldentlal
candidates and with equal emphasis
VOicing opposition TO another. IhAt
telegram, which has been gwen WIDE,
circulation. was not written by ME nor
by my authority. L never saw Ut nor
heard Of 1T until it appeared IN the
columns Of the publication referred 10:
II have borne patiently with TINS
Misrepresentation aud have hesitatod
TO say anything by way OF. correction
because / feared that to do so would
furnish another opportunity for garo-'
ling what ! said, and thus place me
In even n more embarrassing position,
and might convey the impression that
+ was not in full sympathy with the
working people to secure remcdlal
legislation for the wrongs OIL Whlen
they complain.
Cannot Remain Silent.
''But matters have gone so far that
| cannot, in justice TO my own con
science, remain silent while others use
my name in this unauthorized manner.
| am abundantly able TO speak for my
self. and [ object TO the unwarrantcd
liberties being taken with my name.
Therefore, ] avail myself OF this means
of communicating TO all who may be
interested III this expression OF my
views.
Gas T understand the policy Of the
American labor movement and the ac,
tion of the United Mine Workers of
of labor are not committed TO any po-
litical party; the workingmcn OF
America are endeavoring, So far as hes
in their power, and without regard
TO political affiliations, to elect TO public
Office bona fide members Of trado
unions or other candidates who arc
known to be in sympathy with the
political and industrial reforms neces-
sarv for the protection and preservation
of the interests of the wage-earners.
''To this end ] hnve written letters
Of recommendation, and will write
others urging our fellow workers to
support trade unionists and friends of
the trade union movement who have
been nominated for Official positions. -
Mr.. Mitchell here mentioned several
men whose candidacy for the lower
house of Congress he favored, and con-
tinucd as follows;
Labor's Representation.
cit seems TO me that. inasmuch as
the manufacturing, the mercantile, the
and, to lesser extent, the
agricultural and even the leisure classes,
arc 50 we'll and so numerously represent
ed in our state and national legislature,
the waCe-carner should also be repre-
sented by group of strong men from
the ranks OF labor whose training and
experience are such rs TO enable them
to present in an intelligent and force
full manner the needs and requirements
of that great division of society which
is least able TO protect itself, When
all factors are thus represented we can
expect such general legislation as is
essential to the welfare of the whole
nation, and such special laws as arc
necessary 10 protect the interests of
each separate division,
''I am sure that ! shall not be
charged with partisanship when ] ad-
wise each man 10 examine carefully the
principles and policies of the candI-
dates, TO consider seriously the effect of
the election upon the nation as a whole
and upon that division of society in par
ticular TO which hc belongs; and hav
ing done this, it is his duty To cast his
ballot in accordance with his best iudg-
meDt and with the dictates of his con
science,
cover and above all. trade unionists
should ever keep in mind the necessity
OF preserving inviolate the strength and