Miner's Defense Fund

The public is asked to contribute to a national defense fund to aid coal miners with their “struggle for higher wages and a shorter work day”. However, workers are only allowed to accept aid “when their funds are gone”.

Labor Unions and the public will be asked to contribute.
Mitchell approves the plan.
Effort to be made to concentrate resources of organized labor in behalf of miners, who will only accept aid when their funds are gone.

Wilkesbarre, Pa., July 9.-- A national defense fund to which all organized labor and the public in general will be asked to contribute, is the latest proposition placed on foot to help the striking anthracite coal miners if they need assistance in their struggle for higher wages and a shorter work day. Harry White, of New York, secretary of the National Garment Workers, and a member of the conciliation committee of the Civic Federation, held a long conference with President Mitchell yesterday, during which the plan was approved by the miners' chief, and Mr. White will at once begin preparations to carry out the plan. President Mitchell wants it understood, however, that the Miners' Union will accept no aid until their own resources are exhausted. Mr. White came here authorized by several labor organizations to place the proposition before President Mitchell. After the conference, President Mitchell had nothing to say about the matter beyond the brief statement that he approved the plan.

Mr. White gave out the following statement: "President Mitchell will accept the co-operation and whatever aid may be rendered by labor organizations of the country and others, but with the understanding that it is to be only used when their own funds become exhausted, which will not be for some time. Mr. Mitchell says that before soliciting outside support the miners at work must set the example themselves by contributing a considerable portion of their earnings to sustain their fellow members in the hard coal fields, who are fighting their common battle. This will be determined upon at the Indianapolis convention. Mr. Mitchell also welcomed the aid tendered by men of means and influence outside the ranks of organized labor.

"Efforts will also be made to originate a movement throughout the country, so that the unions and others may be prepared to collect funds when the time is propitious. Public men will also undertake an independent movement and solicit subscriptions from those not connected with labor organizations. This movement will be inaugurated in New York city, and the labor organizations and sympathizers in all the principal cities of the country will be called on to appoint committees to carry on similar work.

"All friendly newspapers will be asked to co-operate. The scheme, in brief, contemplates the concentration of the energy and resources of organized labor in behalf to h miners' cause, a result which has never before been achieved. It involves the raising of a given amount of money each week for which provisions and other necessaries of life will be purchased. The plan has the approval of President Samuel Gompers, and it will be placed before the executive council of the American Federation of Labor for endorsement at its sessions, which open in San Francisco next week.

“Miner's Defense Fund,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1070.