Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for March 1901, Part II: Found at United Mine Workers’ Convention in Hazleton, Pennsylvania

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Quote Mother Jones, Fight n Keep On, Hzltn Pln Spkr p4, Nov 15, 1900———-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday April 11, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for March 1901, Part II
Found Arriving in Hazleton, Pa., for Mine Worker’s Convention

From the Philadelphia Times of March 13, 1901:

HdLn re UMW Hazltn Conv, Phl Tx p1, Mar 13, 1901

John Mitchell, Prz UMW, Phl Tx p1, Mar 13, 1901National Organizer Chris Evans
Makes an Impassioned Appeal to
the Delegates at Hazleton.
———-
LEGISLATION IS DISCUSSED
———-
Bills Now Pending at Harrisburg
Come Up for Debate in the
Convention and Evoke
Heated Discussion.
———-
[Mother Jones Arrives]

From a Staff Correspondent.

Hazleton, March 12.

National Organizer Chris Evans, in a speech before the convention of the miners here this afternoon, struck the keynote of the situation when he made an impassioned appeal for uniformity…..

…It is sure that a resolution will be introduced in the convention, making a demand for uniformity in the day wage scale for each of the three districts.

The convention was called to order by President Mitchell in the Grand Opera House at 10 o’clock. The house was filled, and it is believed that 700 delegates are in attendance.

In his opening address President Mitchell referred to the great growth in this region since the strike of last fall, which, he said, had proven that there is a community of interest between the anthracite and bituminous miners which makes needless the argument that they should stand together in one union.

[…..]

UMW Officers, Mt, Dilcher, etc, Phl Tx p7, Mar 13, 1901

[…..]

Mitchell Refuses a House.

President Mitchell created somewhat of a sensation this afternoon by positively refusing to accept the offer of a house which the anthracite miners have decided to give him. In a touching speech he thanked the men very kindly for their appreciation of his efforts, and strongly urged them to devote the money to erecting a monument to those members of the union who gave up their lives in the cause of unionism at Latimer in 1897……

“Mother” Jones arrived here to-night from Scranton and immediately went to MacAdoo, where she and District President Duffy and National Organizer Chris Evans addressed a big meeting. “Mother” Jones will remain here several days and will likely address the convention to-morrow.

A. H. ACORNLET.

———-

From The Philadelphia Inquirer of March 14, 1901:

MINERS ANGRY AT ABSENCE
OF THE OPERATORS

—–

…..ADDRESS BY MOTHER JONES…..
—–

From a Staff Correspondent.

HAZLETON, Pa., March 13.-While neither operators nor miners will concede the possibility of a strike, a feeling of uneasiness is beginning to manifest itself as to what the outcome of the big convention that opened here yesterday will be…..

Greeting to Mother Jones

The Appearance of Mother Jones on the platform was the signal for an ovation…..

[…..]

During the afternoon Mother Jones addressed the convention. Her remarks were received with applause.

———-

From the Hazleton Plain Speaker of March 15, 1901:

ON THE NORTH SIDE
—–

[…..]

“Mother” Jones the ablest general in labor’s army, addressed the members of Mine Workers’ Local No. 1499, in the Grand Opera House last evening. Mrs. Jones is always well received in town even those who disapprove of her methods, recognize her ability and honesty of purpose…..

From the Appeal to Reason of March 16, 1901:

When our fathers founded this government they intended it to be a Socialist government, a true government of, by and for the people. For the flag is a Socialist flag. The and the three colors typify the three necessities which must be owned by the people, the means of production, distribution and exchange.

This declaration by Mother Jones, the leader of the anthracite coal miners of Pennsylvania, was cheered by 5,000 Socialists in the Grand Central Palace in New York last week [February 22nd]. 

Mrs. Jones declared that there would be no coal strike in Pennsylvania. She said:

The operators know that the public won’t stand it, and they fear government ownership of the mines.

[Paragraph breaks added.]

The Philadelphia Times of March 18, 1901:

ORGANIZATION URGED
———-     
“Mother” Jones Tells Reading Wage Earners
They Must Stick Together.

Special Telegram to THE TIMES.

Reading, March 17.

A largely attended organized labor meeting was held in the Bijou Theatre this afternoon for the purpose of promoting a spirit of organization among workingmen.

“Mother” Jones addressed the meeting, coming here from Hazleton. She appealed to those at to-day’s meeting to do everything in their power to organize the men and women wage earners generally and she said the day had come when the organizing of working people had become absolutely necessary for self-protection…..

The York Daily of March 19, 1901:

MOTHER JONES PREDICTS WORLD’S
GREATEST STRIKE
———-
Addressed Five Hundred York
Men and Women Last Night.

“Mother” Jones, of Chicago, that is, when she is home, which she claims she never is, lectured last night at the Palace of Amusement, under auspice of the Federation of Trades Unions, on “Trade Conditions,” or how the “robber capitalist makes slaves of the working men.” Her flow of oratory completely held spellbound the 500 hundred ladies and gentlemen who were so fortunate as to be present.

She is a wonder in gathering in member to the unions. As a strike settler or strike maker she has no equal. President John Mitchell not excepted. She is the enemy of women labor and the employment of children in silk mills, etc., for which he ha no use.

She vividly portrayed the rapid deterioration of the working classes. She is a most ardent believer in the motto, “In union there is strength,” and advised that when a young man courts a maiden it is her duty before she accept him to ask for his “union card.” If one cannot be produced tell him to “chase himself” till he gets one.

Every “scab” in York, both man or woman, is advised to join the union for their own good.

She predicted the greatest strike that the world hits ever known to begin April 1st, affecting not only the coal mines, but also a complete tie up of all railroads and manufacturing establishments.

A return engagement was sought, but she states that this is impossible, as she must go back to the coal regions from whence she came, to help straighten out matters.

It is sincerely hoped by the union that “Mother Jones” will again be seen in this city.

———-

Note: Emphasis added throughout.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SOURCES & IMAGES

Quote Mother Jones, Fight n Keep On, Hzltn Pln Spkr p4, Nov 15, 1900
https://www.newspapers.com/image/98099248/

The Times
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
-Mar 13, 1901
https://www.newspapers.com/image/52581245
https://www.newspapers.com/image/52581251/
-Mar 18, 1901
https://www.newspapers.com/image/52581347/

The Philadelphia Inquirer
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
-Mar 14, 1901
https://www.newspapers.com/image/168139723/

The Plain Speaker
(Hazleton, Pennsylvania)
-Mar 15, 1901
https://www.newspapers.com/image/501630482/

Appeal to Reason
(Girard, Kansas)
-Mar 16, 1901
https://www.newspapers.com/image/67051410/

The York Daily
(York, Pennsylvania)
-Mar 19, 1901
https://www.newspapers.com/image/76905201/

See also:

Tag: Great Anthracite Strike of 1900
https://weneverforget.org/tag/great-anthracite-strike-of-1900/

Mar 18, 1901, Reading Times-Mother Jones Talks to Wage Earners,
Parts I & II
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75674349/mar-18-1901-reading-times-mother/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75674518/mar-18-1901-reading-times-mother/

-re Mother Jones in New York City during Feb of 1901, see:
Mother Jones News Round-Up for February 1901, Part III
(scroll down to Seattle Daily Times of Feb 23, 1901)
Found Standing with Striking Silk Mill Workers of Pennsylvania

Mother Jones News Round-Up for March 1901, Part I
Found Writing for The Review and Marching with Striking Silk Workers

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Hazel Dickens: Which Side Are You On?