Evening star., 1900-10-12


strike and the military of the state can
be secured to curb the men and defeat the
objects for which the strike was inaug-
urated. Whatever may be your decision
here today. whether you end or continue
the strike, it is my earnest hope that every
man may regard it as his duty not only to
obey, but to assist in enforcing the law.
When this strike was put into effect we
declared that it would not end unless a
ajority of the delegates representing the
anthracite miners agreed 10 its termination.
We repeatedly announced that we would
not undertake TO decide the future happi-
ness or misery, the veal or woe OF the hve
hundred thousand persons dependent upon
the anthracite coal industry for livelt-
hood. We believe that the men who mine
coal. that the men who work in the col
lieres. that the boys who work in the
breakers. should all be consulted before the
officers of your union declare the strike at
an end Learning that the operators had
posted notices at their mines offering an
advance of 10 per cent on the wages form
erly paid. we deemed it our duty to call a
convention and permit the miners to pass
judgment On the question of its acceptance
or rejection.
Cool Judgment Urged.
I'm considering the proposition of the op-
orators 1 want the delegates attending this
convention to be calm and dispassionate, to
consider the question in all its phases, to
measure carefully the chances Of success
and the possibilities Of defeat should the
strike be continued You must not reach
conclusions hastily. you must not overesti-
mate your strength, and on the other hand
you should take every precaution to pro-
tect yourselves against the avariciousness
of your employers, who, 1 regret to say,
have shown no disposition to treat you
fairly in the past, and who have never
shown any regard for the welfare of those
who produce their wealth.
For the first time in many years the op-
orators have recognized your demands for
better conditions of employment. and have
offered an advance Of 10 per cent in your
wages. 1 am we'll aware that this advance
IS not satisfactory to you. You have felt
with Justice that a definite period of time
should be named during which this ad-
vance should remain in force. Your eX-
perience where wages are based on a slid
ing scale has been unsatisfactory to you
that you believe that the Sliding-Scale
method Of determining wages should be
abolished. You also believe that the laws OF
Pennsylvania should be obeyed by the coal
companies and wages be paid twice each
month, you reserving the right of spending
your earnings wherever you choose Wheth-
er it is better at this time to insist upon
compliance with all your demands is
question which you who are most interest
ed are called upon to decide.
PERSONALLY l have hoped that we should
be able at some time to establish the same
now exists in the bituninous coal regions,
where employers and miners delegates
meet in joint interstate convention ana,
like pruGent. sensible business men, mu-
tually agree upon a scale of wages which
remains in force for one year, thus remov-
ing the causes of strikes and lockouts, and
even yet l believe that in future years the
anthracite operators will accept this hu-
name and progressive method OF treating
with their employees.
Labor organizations, like labor-saving
machinery, are here to stay, capltal may
for time refuse to treat with them, may
because of its great power retard the
growth of organizations for time, but,
like truth crushed to earth they will
rise again and will give battle In the des
fense of the poor and oppressed
Now, gentlemen, permit me to admonlsh
you to consider seriously the course you
intend to pursue. The eyes of the Amer
lean people are centered on the city of
Scranton today, anxiOusly awaiting the re-
suit of this convention. l do not wish
YOU to accept one cent less for your labor
than it is possible for you to secure. l do
not with the great organization Whlcn has
been built up among you to be wrecked and
ruined through any mistakes of mine or
yours. If you legfslate wisely and judi
ciously I can see a destiny brighter and
happier for you and for those who Will
take your places when you have passed
awav | can see a future where the little
boys will be in attendance at school instead
of wasting their young lives away In the
breakers, helping to earn livelihood Tor
their parents. l can see future where
pleasant home and happy, smiling faces
of the wives and mothers will be in vivid
contrast with the conditions of today
Address Well Received.
President Mitchell's address was well re-
ceived. The next order Of business was the
appointment of the committee on creden-
tiaIs The committee consists of nine men,
bers, three from each of the three districts.
William Davis Of Pottsville, known
the Golden Miner" by reason of being
the oldest working miner in the anthracite
region, was then introduced and read a
short poem
Ter the crednetial committee had col
lected the credentials of the delegates the
convention, at IL o'clock, took a recess
examine the credentials and make a report
thereon.
During the recess there was much talk
OF the appointment of a committee whose
duty 1t would be to consider and report
on any propositions that delegates may pre-
sent to the convention. From the talk of
the delegates It seems almost certain that
the offer made by the operators it now
stands will not be accepted During the
temporary absence of President Mitchell
George w. Purcell of Indiana, member of
the national executive committee. called the
afternoon session TO order. The credential
committee not being ready to make its
port, 1.-The golden miner recited another
poem and sang a song for the purpose Of
keeping the boys in good humor,' as the
presiding officer put it.
Troops Will Remain for the Present.
SHENANDOAH, Pa. October 12.-Gen-
eral Goblin says there will be no movement
of troops homeward until after the Scranton
convention. His latest advices are that