The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-02
MINERS FORCE OUT MITCHELL
COMPELLED TO GIVE CP MS Jon
WITH (IIN FEDERATION.
Protests Thst the Action OS the Mine
workers Ia Unjust. but says No Other
Course Il Left but 10 Quit Couldn't

Workers IA Just. but Says No Other
Course Il Left but 10 Quit Couldn't
stay Win the Miners Otherwise.
John Mitchell has needed the ultimatum
OF the United Mine Workers. expressed
in general terms at its last convention.
that he resign from the Civic Federation
before April or quit tho Mine Workers.
He has resigned from the federation and
his resignation has been accepted. The
correspondence was given out last night
At the last convention of the Mine
tion was adopted providing that any mem
ber Of the union accepting place as
representative of the National Civic Fed
Grafton should forfeit his membership
in the Mine Workers II was aimed at
Mitchell. whose activity in the Civic Fed
Grafton has been distsst eful to his former
followers among the miners. The. fedora
tion was denounced bitterly at the con-
vention. Mitchell was president Of the
Mine Workers at the time Of the anthra-
cite coal strike. He managed the unions
affairs with such skill that President
Roosevelt took hand in the strike. re-
silting in the appointment Of the anthra-
cite strike commission and the settle
ment Of the strike. For three years
Mitchell has had a salaried place as head
of the trade agreement department, of
the Civic Federation.
When the new amendment was adopted
by the miners word was sent to Mitchell,
giving him to April to resign from the
Civic Federation or the United Mine
Workers. His friends in the latter and
a large element in the other unions be-
lieveo that IL "A referendum vote Of the
membership OF the United Nine Workers
was taken the ultimatum would be turned
down. and an effort was made TO bring
about such u referendum The officers
of the union decided. however. that there
was no constitutional provision for calling
a referendum vote.
Mitchell sew eral times has said that
The ultimatum was unfair and misleading,
and his friends in the labor movement
declared that he was as good union man
as ever. and even stronger in the labor
NOV ement because OF his job with the
Civic Federation.
The Socialists in the United Mine Work
ers were among the most bitter against
Mitchell for being associated with the
federation They said that he and the
other officers of the federation were con-
sorting and dining with millionaires.
enemies OF labor. Mitchell finally re-
soly ed 10 resign from the Civic Fedora
ion and his letter OF resignation. which
was sent TO President Seth Low of that
body. was made public last night.
In his letter Mitchell reviews the action
OF the miners convention and expresses
regret AT the unjust and gratuitous at
tacks made a, The convention on the
Civic Federation. which he declares has
stood consist emily for righteous industrial
peace The fact that in January he was
reelected chairman OF the trade agree
ment department for the current year
he said added 10 his difficulties There
is no way however. under the laws Of
the miners union. he said, whereby the
enforcement Of its constitution could be
held in abeyance until his term as an
III tiV tVhVi u'ioi VNPi
Under these circumstances, he con-
tinues, Il respectfully request that you
release me from my contract TO serve As
chairman of the trade agreement de-
partment of the National Civic Federation
and accept my resignation as a member
of the executive council and as a member
OF the federation itself. the same to be-
come effective at any time prior to April
/ that is agreeable TO you"
In letter accepting the resignation
President Low expresses his regret at the
action OF the convention OF the Mine
Workers. but says he believes that under
| the circumstances the course Mitchell has
taken is both natural and proper He
concludes
only your colleagues in the active
administration Of the National Civic Fed
GRAFTON can fully understand how helpful
you have been in bringing about a better
understanding between employers and
employees in all sorts Of directions.
feel personally under special obligation
to you for enabling me to understand bet
ter than ever before the workingmen's 8
point OF view on many questions OF vita
interest, and | want to say that it has been
a personal pleasure TO be associated with