The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-02-23
eMINERS' SECRETARY
REPLIES TO LETTER
written BY COMPERS
(By Associated Press)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. Feb. 90
Samuel Gompers' letter to William
Mitch. secretary OF district number
eleven, United Mine Workers of
America, brought the following reply
from Mitch which was wired this
morning:
"You ask, by what right do we as
sumo to declare the policy OF electing
your friends and defeating your en-
emies, as promulgated. impracticableE
"You will understand that this IS
diana State Labor party convention,
consisting OF delegates, a larger per-
cent Of which are representing organ
lied labor, convened at Indianapolis,
at the call of the Indiana State Fed
Grafton of Labor, and in harmony with
a referendum vote, to ascertain II the
workers desire to form labor polite
al party, which vote was carried over
whelmingly, and after hearing Mr.. To-
bin, who presented the American Fed
Grafton of Labor policy to said con-
vention, a committee was appointed
to carry out the expressed wishes of
the said delegation and drew up the
telegram sent to you.
Labor Tired Of Parties.
I'VE had no intention of raising
your ire, however, we knew that you
were getting old and could not stand
any criticism. We did not mean any
attack whatever to your unionism and
perhaps to your good Intentions, and
we assure you as committee OF five
that drew up this resolution. that we
are with the trade union movement,
for success economically, and politi'
cally. However, the workers have
been led to believe that the represen.
tative in congress is right, when he,
speaking of your policy, said that he
felt that Mr.. Gompers would find all
Of Br. Gompers' friends on the Demo
cratic ticket. This is the expression
In conversation and elsewhere.
Mr.. Gompers, we feel that you are
honest and know you as the highest
representative of organized labor in
the United States. But the feeling
Of the rank and file Is that you are
80 far removed that you do not under
stand their desires, and the votes TAX
en- by organized labor, on the estab
lishment of the Labor party show that
they are tired and disguised with the
two old political parties.
we Call yOu lHdI Iuc uColl {
of labor, especially at this time, the
members who have all Of their lives
been affiliated with the two old par
ties now, is for a labor party. This
was in line with the vote of the mine
workers in convention at Terre Haute
for District Number II, Indiana, and
at Cleveland. O.. for the international
organization; also the states fedora
lion of labor later Endorsed said policy
overwhelmingly by referendum vote
and similar action has been taken by
numerous state declarations, also the
railway workers.
Mr.. Gompers. we assure that when
his party reaches the stage antici
pated by you, that influences may en-
ter that are not to the interests OF
organized labor and the labor party
does not stand for politically what ouI
trade unions stand for economically
then We will cease to be members OF
the labor party.
At this time the labor party stands
{ for the same principles of the trade
: ,nion movement, and the workers feel
Mr.. Gompers, that we must evolute
That is their expression, and we hope
it is not a dream.
(Signed) WILLIAM MITCH"