The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-16
MINERS IN CONVENTION
ASSEMBLIES WITH OVER EIGHT HUN
DRIED DELEGATES PRESENT
PROPOSITION OF OPERATORS
Not Acted Upon at Yesterdays Ses-
sfon-General Opinion That 1t VIII
Not be Accepted-The Strikers Want
Some Other Grievances Corrected.
Various Proposals OF Procedure Sug-
gested-This Convention Not Likely
to Settle the Question OF the Strike.

Scranton, Pa, October 12.-Eight hun
dred and fifty-seven miners who hold
in their hands h power to end or con-
which has been in progress for more
than three weeks, met in convention
here today for the purpose of consid-
ering the 10 per cent. net advance in
offered by the operators and ad-
journed until tomorrow without TAX
ing any action on their employers
proposition. Both of today's sessions
were devoted to organizing the con-
vention and to speeches by many of the
delegates on the mine owners con-
session.
1t was not expected that anything
would be done today outside of a gen.
eral exchange of views. The conven-
ton, after it was permanently organ
lied went into secret session, but it
was learned from authoritative sources
suggested which would lead to a So
luton of what is, to the miners. a knot
ty problem.
From the trend Of the remarks of
the delegates it was gathered that the
10 per cent. proposition, as it now
stands, a very little chance of being
accepted. The delegates seemed, it
vas learned, ito be almost u animous
that the operators should first make
concessions on the other grievances be-
fore the increase is accepted by the
mine workers. Great stress was laid
on the necessity Of abolishing the slid
ing scale n substituting therefor a
tonnage basis on which to fix the rate
of wages. The proposition Of having
the operators guarantee a fixed time
for paying the advance was also thor
oughly discussed, while not a few dele
gates said they would be satisfied with
nothing but a more liberal increase In
wages.
The mode Of procedure is a matter
which is now occupying h attention
of the labor leaders. In case the con-
vention comes to a definite understand
ing of some proposition, h question
has been asked how the operators will
be advised, in view Of the fact that the
latter have repeatedly they would
not recognize the union.
That the present convention will not
come to a definite conclusion is the
general belief tonight. 1t is h opin-
ion of several of the labor leaders that
lIc COIlN L do OF plCSClll olloN
tuted is a little unwieldly. There was
a movement on oct today having for
its object the submission Of the various
propositions as they are suggested by
the delegates to a committee appoint
ed by the convention for considera-
ton, this committee to report to either
this or a second convention This
movement, however, did not gain much
Of a start. Some of the delegates think
that the whole subject should be left
in the hands of the national officers,
as limited at by President Mitchell in his
brief remarks just before the conven-
ton went into secret session. Mr..
Mitchell is very popular among the
miners, as was shown by the enthusi-
asm displayed as he delivered his open
ing address.
Chairman Mitchelrs first, act was to
read a telegram from Samuel Gompers.
president Of the American Federation
Of Labor, as follows:
1.-The cause of the miners is the cause
of humanity. Whatever the decision
reached regarding the operators offer,
the future must be brighter, better,
and more just for the miners, their
wives and children, and humanity will
be the gamer. Kindly convey to the
assembled delegates the Sincerest SYM
pathy and cooperation of every union
member and officer of the American
Federation of Labor. We all pray and
work for your
The convention at its close adjourn
ed to 9 O'Clock tomorrow.