New-York tribune., 1911-03-02
JOHN MITCHELL YIELDS |
Quits Civic Federation So as to
Stay with Mine Workers.
REGRETS HIS RESIGNATION
Low, Accepting 1t, Praises HIS
Work Done on Behalf OF
Industrial Peace.

John Mitchell. former head OF the united
Mine Workers OF America and lately cnalr-
man OF the trade agreement department oi
the National Civic Federation. made pub-
lie yesterday the resignation of his once
and membership In the latter orgauiza aion.
II was also announced that Seth Low
president OF the Civic Federation. had ac-
cepted the resignation. 10 take effect at
the close OF the present month.
Mr.. Mitchelrs letter to President Low
follows:
At the recent international convention oi
the United Mine Workers OF America sn
amendment 10 the constitution Of that or
ganization was adopted providing that any
member OF the United Mine Workers oi
America accepting a position ~ rspreeen,
stive Of the National civic Federation shau
forfeit his membership in tho union
The amended constitution II the Onlten
Mine Workers Of America becomes enec
tive on the first dav Of April. 1911. ana, a.
I am a member Of that organization -
well a. representative Of the Nafonsi
Civic Fedora ton, II Is necessary Tor me 10
decide whether I shall retain my ineInSeI
ship in the miners union Or my memner-
ship and position with the National rlFic
Federation.
II Is needless TO say that I regret the
action of the miners convention, not 80
much because II requires me 10 choose Nc
tween the two organiZs tons. as because oi
the unjust and gratutous attack upon t.'
National Civic Federation. which IN a1lI- a1ilI
tion TO its many other usetul acuFlucr,
has stood consistently as an advocate oi
righteous Industrial peace.
The fact that at the annual meeting y
the National Civic Federation held IN jan
uary | was reelected chairman OF the
trade agreement council for the cutIeh'
year adds TO the difficulties OF the situt-
tion IN which 7 find myself; however theIs
is no way. under the laws OF the mlners
~ uub cnfOrCpmpnf OF Us
constitution can be held in abeyance unul
such time as the period for which hdN
been reelected as an officer or the "a
tional Civic Federation shall have explreu'
Asks Release from Contract
Under these circumstances ! respectfully
request that you release me from my con-
tract 10 serve as chairman OF tne IIauS
agreement department ot the N~aIcnal ~
Civic Federation and accept my reslshd,
ton as a member Of the executive councll
and as a member OF the federation lseH,
the same 10 become effective at any tlihe
prior 70 April that Is agreeable 70 you. ,,o,,
In taking this step | wish To assure you
and the gentlemen associated win you
both as members and officers or the Na-
tional Civic Federation, that ! appreciate
deeply the confidence when mas oesn le
posed In me and the cooperation which /
have always received from you ana them
In every effort I have made 10 be OF as
sistance in promoting righteous lhoustTldl
peace through the medium oi the uaus
agreement
In reply President Low wrote:
have YOUR letter Of February Is. 1911.
calling my attention 70 the action taken at
the recent international convention OF the
United Mine Workers Of America in adopt. :.
inz an amendment 10 the constitution OF
that organization which compels you 10 ue-
eide whether you will retain your mem
berShiD In the miners union or your mem,
bership and position with the. Natlonai
Civic Federation. ! take note OF your re- re-
q1est tnat urder these circumstances, you
NAV be released from your contract 70
serve as chairman Of the trade agreement
department OF the National OlNlc tutI
ton and that your resignation De 90 sCsSpI-I ~. u
as a member of the executive council am
a. a member Of the federation itself. me
same 10 become effective at any time prior
TO April /, 1911 that is agreeable 10 me.
Low Regrets Losing Mitchell
7 greatly regret the action taken at the
international convention Of the United NINE
Workers of America which has constrained
voY ~ make this decision Under the cir
curnstsnces however. | think the course
YOU have taken is both natural ana proper
on behalf OF the National CIVIC ederh-
tlou | therefore accept your resignation
iron, The executive council and from the
organization itself, and release you o4 lIoii,
vour contract as chairman o. the ttauS
agreement department OF the iedsra'4o,y1, ~,
al To take effect on March 81, 1911. IL
should he known. however, that you nave
oftere5 fS your resignation from the Nationa!
civic Federation in the face oi speciilC
proposal on the part OF the federation 10
renew It's contract with you FOR another
term OF three years.
In accepting your resignation and IN re-
UevinC YOU from your contract, take ad ad-
vantage OF the opportunity 70 say TO you
foU highly | value the work you nave
done Tor industrial peace as chairman OF
ollr trade agreement department during tle
last two years and a half. only you, cor, COZ
Leagues In the active administrator OF ne
National Civic Federation can fully uu-
derstand how helpful you have been ID
LringIng about better understandings ot-
tween employers and employees IN al sorts
of directions. l feel personally under spe-
cial obligations 70 you Tor enabling NE 70
nnderstand better than ever before the
g'orkingman's point Of view on many ques-
,ions ~ vital interest, and J want 10 say
that it has been a personal pleasure 70 o,o' Dc
associated with you and 70 work Win you
~, rozrot for the necessity Of our separs-
ton. therefore. is personal as well as as ON, ON
ci.i You will carry with you into Whatever
A,d ,,o, enter the best wishes and the
cordial regard OF all your colleagues IN tne