Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-13
ers of America.

Scranton, Pa, Oct. l2.-Eieht hun
dred and hftyseven miners. who hold
in their hands the power to end or con-
tinue the anthracite coal miners strike,
which has been in progress for mere
than three weeks. met in convention
here to-day for the purpose OF consid-
erins the 10 per cent. net advance in
wages offered by the operators. and
adjourned until tomorrow without
taking any action on their employers
proposition. Both OF to-day's sessions
were devoted to organizing the conyen-
ton and to speeches by many of the
delegates ON the mine owners conces-
sion. 1t was not expected that any
thing would be done to-day outside OF
n general exchange of Views. The CON
Nention, after 1t was permanently or
ganized went into secret session, but
1t was learned from authoritative
sources that nothing of definite ma
ture was suggested which would lead
to IL solution OF what is. to the miners.
knotty problem.
THE 10 PER CENT. INCREASE.
From the trend of the remarks of the
delegates IT was gathered that the 10
per cent. proposition. as ii now stands.
has very little chance of being ac-
cented The delegates seemed, it was
learned. to be almost unanimous that
the operators should first make con-
cessions on the other grievances before
the increase is accepted by the mine
workers. Great stress was laid on the
necessity of abolishing the sliding scale
ana substituting therefor Il tonnage
basis on which to fix the rate OF wages.
The proposition of having the opera
tors guarantee Il fixed time for paving
the advance was also thoroughly dis
cussed. while not a few delegates said
they would be satisfied with nothing
but more liberal increase of wages.
MODE OF PROCEDURE.
The mode of procedure is n matter
which is now occupying the attention
of the labor leaders. In case the con-
Vehtion comes to a definite understands
ing on some proposition, the question
has been asked how the opera tors will
be advised. in view of the fact that the
latter have repeatedly said 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.
hu,wig" sml0-prxf kdodwE if,,a A
DEFINITE CONCLUSION NOT rX-
PECTED.
That the present convention will NOT
come to n definite conclusion is the
general belief tonight. 1t is the opin-
ION OF several of the labor leaders that
the convention as at present consti-
tuted is II little unwiedy. There was
a movement~on foot to-day having for
It's object the submission of the va
rious propositions as they are suggest
cd by the delegates to Il committee ap-
pointed by the convention for consid-
Grafton this committee to report to
either this or n second convention. This
movements however, did not gain much
of n 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 con-
vention 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.
PRESIDENT MITCHELL'S OPENING
REMARKS.
President Mitchell called the conven-
ton to order at 1920 o'clock and add
dressed the delegates. saying:
For the first time i'll many years
the operators have recognized your de-
mandS for better conditions of en-
ployment. and have offered an advance
OF ten per cent. i'll your wages. L am
well aware that this advance is not
satisfactory TO you. You have felt. and
with justice, that definite period of
time should be named during which
this advance should remain in force.
Your experience where wages are based
on sliding scale has been so unsat-
isfactory to you that you believe that
the sliding scale method of determine
ing wages should be abolished, you al
so believe that the laws of Pennsyl-
vania 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.
whether 1t is better at this time to
insist upon compliance with all your
demands is n question which you, who
are most interested, are called upon to
decide. Personally have hoped that
we should be able at some time to es-
Continued on Page q.