New-York tribune., 1900-10-13
STRIKERS IN CONVENTION.
NO ACTION YET TAKEN on THE COAL
OPERATORS OFFER.
SENTIMENT OF THE DELEGATES. HOW
EVER, ALMOST UNANIMOUS AGAINST
ACCEPTING THE PROPOSED IN
CREASE OF WAGES

CREASE OF WAGES
Scranton, Penn. Oct. 12.-Eight hundred and
hfty-seven men who hold in their hands the
power to end or continue the anthracite coal
miners strike. which has been in progness for
more than three weeks, met in convention here
to-day for the purpose of considering the 10
per cent net advance in wages offered by the
operators, and adjourned until tomorrow with
out taking any action on their employers propo-
sition. Both Of to-day's sessions We're devoted
TO organizing the convention and to speeches by
many OF the delegates the mine owners
concession. It was not expected that anything
would be done to-day beyond general ex-
change Of views. The convention, after it was
permanently organized. went into secret ses-
sion. but It was learned that nothing Of
definite nature was suggested which would lead
20 a solution of the problem.
From the trend Of the remarks of the dele
gates it was gathered that the 10 per cent prop
ostion it stands has only slight chance
of being accepted. The delegates seemed to be
almost unanimous in thinking that the opera
tors should make concessions on other griev-
ances before the increase is accepted Great
stress laid the necessity Of aboshing
the sliding scale and substituting tonnage
basis on which to fix the rate of wages The
proposition to have the operators guarantee
fixed time for paying the advance was also
thoroughly discussed, while not few delegates
said they would be satisfied with nothing ex-
cept more liberal increase in wages.
The mode Of procedure is a matter which is
now occupying the attention Of the labor lead
ers In case the convention comes to definite
understanding some proposition, the ques-
ton has been asked how the operators will be
advised in view of the fact that they have
peatedly said that they would not recognize the
union President Mitchell will not discuss that
phase of the question, and none of the other
labor leaders Will venture an opinion.
That the present convention will not come to a
definite conclusion is the general belief tonight.
It is the opinion of several of the labor leaders
that the convention as at present constituted is
a little unwieldy. There was a movement
foot to-day having for its object the submission
Of the various propositions suggested by the
delegates to a committee appointed by the con-
vent1on for consideration, this committee to re-
port to this or a second convention. This
movement however, did not gain much head
way. Some Of the delegates think the whole
subject should be left in the hands of the Ma
tionsl officers. hinted at by President Mitchell
In his brief remarks just before the convention
went into secret session Mr.. Mitchell is ex-
tremely popular among the miners. was
shown by the enthusiasm displayed when he de-
nvered his opening address.
PRESIDENT MITCHELLS ADDRESS.
President Mitchell called the convention to
der at 1925 o'clock, and Immediately began
reading his address to the delegates He spoke
in part follows:
When this strike was put into effect we declared
that II would not END unless a majority OF tae
20 e. - ooj M
would not undertake to decide the future hap
% cree @ 9ussa persons o 9ePenoenI uR3 @ beSa H mat
he mel VIII mir coal thaf m p
in the collieries, that the boys who work in the
GERS of your union declare the strike end.
Learning that the operators had posted notices at
their mines offering an advance Of 10 per cent on
the wages formerly paid, we deemed 1t our duty
TO call a convention and permit the miners to pass
judgment on the question Of its acceptance or re-
In Considering the proposition of the operators
want the delegates attending this convention to be
in all It's phases measure carefully the chances
Of success and the possl6ilities OF defeat should
ciuslons hastily, you must not overestmate your
ss2Tn ana On the ether Ranq you saoqa t4e axe
avariciousness Of your employers, who, regret 10
IN the past and who have never shown any regard
tol the WelLaTe OF tnose VINO produce taelr Wea4tn
have recognized your demands for better condt-
tons Of employment, and have offered an advance
of 10 per cent In your wages. l am well aware
that this advance is not @ satisfactory to you. You
of time should be named during which this advance
wages are based on a sliding scale. has been so
unsatsfactory 10 you that you believe that tn the
be abolished You also believe that the laws Of
Pennsyysnia should be obeved bv the coal com
panies and wages be paid twice each month, you
reserving the right Of spending your earnings
wherever you choose. Whistler it IS better at this
time to insist upon compliance with all your de-
mands is a question which you who most in
have hoped that we should be able at some time
to establish the same method OF adjusting wage
differences as now exists in the bituminous coal
regions where employers and miners delegates
meet in joint interstate convention, and, Ike prI
dent. sensible business men. mutually agree upon
scale OF wages which remains in force for one
year thus removing the causes OF strikes and lock
the anthracite operators VIII accept this humane
and progressive method Of treating with their en-
Now. gentlemen, permit to admonish you to
The eyes or the American people are centred on the
city OF Scranton to-day, arXiously awaiting the re-
cept one less for your labor than it IS possible
for you TO secure / do not wish the great orga4i-
wrecked and ruined through any mistakes Of mine
yours. II you leeislate wisely and judlclousIy
and for those who win take your places when you
have passed away; can see future where pleas
and mothers viii be in vivid contrast TO the con-
ditions OF to-day
Great interest was taken in the address, all
the delegates listening to it intenhy, If they
expected to hear some suggestion by which the
questions to come before the convention could
be settled President Mitchell was heartily
cheered as he took his seat.
The next order Of business the appoint
ment Of a Committee Credentials. and three
such committees, one for each Of the districts,
so as to expedite making up the roll of delegates,
were appointed. At II o'clock the convention
took a recess until 1:30 p. m In the recess the
Credentials committees set to work making UP
the rolls They found the task rather difficult,
owing to the large number OF delegates and the
many foreign names they encountered.
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