Tag: Chris Evans

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for November 1901, Part I: Found in Huntington, West Virginia, at State Miners’ Convention

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones WV Miners Conditions, ISR p179 , Sept 1901———————-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday December 9, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for November 1901, Part I
Found at State Miners’ Convention in Huntington, West Virginia

From The Indianapolis Journal of November 1, 1901:

“MOTHER” JONES FOR WAR.
—————
Urges Miners to Resort to Arms if Necessary to Win.

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

HUNTINGTON, W. Va., Oct. 31.-Twenty-five of the officials and organizers of the United Mine Workers of America attended the first day’s session of the State miners,’ convention here to-day. The presence of John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers, Vice President Lewis, Secretary-treasurer Wilson and others of prominence made the meeting one of more than ordinary importance. The convention consists of more than 150 union miners from Virginia and West Virginia. A permanent organization was effected during the forenoon session and the usual committees were appointed.

The afternoon was spent in hearing the reports from the various delegates as to the condition of the order in their respective territories. There were no transactions of importance, and the day ended with a mass meeting to-night which was addressed by Vice President T. L. Lewis, of the national organization. “Mother” Jones and Organizer and Secretary-treasurer W. B. Wilson, “Mother” Jones advised the miners to go home and resort to arms, if necessary, to accomplish their purpose.

———————-

[Photograph added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for October 1901, Part I: Found in West Virginia; Gives Interview in Paterson, New Jersey

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones WV Miners Conditions, ISR p179 , Sept 1901———————-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday November 12, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for October 1901, Part I
Found in West Virginia; Travels to New Jersey and Points East

From The Indianapolis Journal of October 2, 1901:

SECRET MEETING IS HELD
————-

LEADING UNITED MINE WORKERS
AT PARKERSBURG, W. VA.
——-

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

PARKERSBURG. W. Va., Oct 1.-The leading representatives of the United Mine Workers of America from all the coal-mining States have been in session at Van Winkle Hotel here for two days and left to-night with the secrets of their sessions well kept….

It is said that President Mitchell could not be present on account of sickness, but even this could not be confirmed by any of those who were in attendance. It is generally believed here that plans were considered for the relief of the Thacker district, in West Virginia, where trouble between the miners and operators has existed for some time.

Among the delegates present were “Mother” Jones, of Chicago; F. C. Reinhardt, Pittsburg; John H. Walker, Danville, Ill.; Thomas Burke, Springfield, Ill.; Chris Evans, Nelsonville, O.; G. W. Purcell, Terre Haute, Ind. [and other officials]….

“Mother” Jones, recognized by the union as one of its best organizers, and Chris Evans, the oldest labor organizer in the country, and other organizers have been working in West Virginia since the first of the year, organizing the miners. It was decided at the last miners’ convention to give special attention to organization in that State.

———————

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

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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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.

———-

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for November 1900, Part IV: Found with Silk Strikers of Wilkes-Barre & Carbondale, Pennsylvania

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones Children Suffer PA Silk Mills, Cdale Ldr p6, Nov 30, 1900———-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday December 20, 1900
Mother Jones News Round-Up for November 1900, Part IV
Found Standing with Silk Mill Strikers of Wilkes-Barre and Carbondale

From the Wilkes-Barre Daily News of November 27, 1900:

HdLn Mother Jones in Town f Silk Mill Strkrs, WB Ns PA p3, Nov 27, 1900

Mother Jones, Scranton Tx p1, Oct 13, 1900The trouble at the Hass-Goldsmith Silk Mill is causing a great deal of discussion in labor circles. Mother Jones, one of the most prominent agitators in this  country, arrived in town last evening and had lengthy conference with the employes. She expressed a desire that the young women should arrange for a mass meeting, to which the public will be invited.

Mother Jones is in the best of health and spirits and feels elated over the success of the miners’ strike. She is an intelligent woman, and despite the fact that many disagree with her on questions agitating the public mind, they must acknowledge that she is a very clever woman. Mrs. Jones was interviewed yesterday afternoon at Hotel Hart by a News reporter. Among other things she said:

The employes of the Hess-Goldsmith mill sent for me and this evening they will come to my hotel and we will have a conference. From what I can learn the women, boys and girls, have just cause to complain. They are treated something similar to the children at the Freeland silk mills. There one boy received one cent per hour and worked 13½ hours per day. Do you wonder why the employes complain? It is not unusual to see a boy or girl prematurely aged. What is the reason? It is plain to be seen. These little ones are driven from daylight till dawn by a crowd of slave drivers who have not the slightest conception of the honor or respect due womankind. The factories steal from the parents the most desirable jewel, the light, the joy of the home-those bright faced little children. There was a time-I am sorry to say that it is fast disappearing-that she first thing asked a child in the morning by the mother was: “Dear, do you know your lessons?” But this is changed now to, “You must work hard and earn a few cents to-day.”

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Hellraisers Journal: Miners to Celebrate Eight-Hour Day Victory, Won for Central Competitive Field in Great Strike of 1897

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Brave Hearts, UMWC, Jan 29, 1909———-

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday March 18, 1899
United Mine Workers to Celebrate Eight-Hour Day Victory

From The American Federationist of March 1899:

Miners’ Eight-Hour Day.
—–

UMW Ex Brd 1897, Evans II p480

—–

John Mitchell, Pres UMW Jan 1899, Evans II p650

An echo of the great victory of the miners in their strike of 1897, comes to us just now. It will be remembered that as a result of that memorable contest the miners secured, apart from an increase of 33 per cent, in wages, the establishment of the eight-hour day in the competitive field to be inaugurated April 1, 1898. After working under the eight-hour system for nearly a year the officers of the United Mine Workers through President Mitchell and Secretary Pearce have just issued the fallowing call upon the miners of the country:

Inasmuch as Saturday, April 1, 1899, marks the first anniversary of the inauguration of the eight-hour work day in the central competitive coal mining States, we desire that it be fittingly observed by members of our craft.

In commemorating this event, we not only can demonstrate our appreciation of the shorter work day, but also the re-establishment of joint movement methods of adjusting wage differences. When the Chicago agreement was entered into one year ago, which provided for the establishment of an eight-hour day in the States of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, grave fears were entertained as to the probable outcome. That the influences it would exert over the trade of the States in question would be detrimental was freely argued by many, but we find, at this the close of the first year, that its adoption has not only proven a priceless boon to our craft, but also is looked upon with favor by many of our employers. The reaffirmation of the Chicago agreement by the Pittsburg convention means a continuation of these conditions and is a fitting endorsement of the policy. We therefore desire that Saturday, April 1, be set apart as a holiday to commemorate this important event and that local unions arrange suitable meetings, where appropriate exercises can be held. We further request our membership in States where the agreement is not operative at this time to likewise observe this day and thereby register your approval of this method and encourage its universal adoption.

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