New-York tribune., 1900-10-14
MINERS MAKE AN OFFER
TERMS ON WHICH THEY WILL
RETURN TO WORK.
ADVANCE IN WAGES MUST CONTINUE
Until APRIL AND SLIDING SCALE
BE ABOLISHED-ARBITRA
TION PROPOSED.
5 MUST CONTINUE
ley TELEGRAPH TO TIE rR1nuNE,I

icy TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUNE.l
Scranton. Penn. oct 13-Contrary to predic-
+ions. the miners convention this afternoon
voted TO accept the 10 per cent advance in
wages on certain conditions. The announce
rnent OF this result came Unexpectedly. for
President AIitchell's statements Of the business
transacted caused the impression that the mo-
ton for acceptance was meeting great opposi-
ton II was also said that the delegates would
insist on recognition Of the union The resou-
ton adopted by the convention is follows:
We. your committee respectfully submit the
following preamble and resolutions for your
consideration:
Whereas. The anthracite coal operators have
posted notices offering an advance Of 10 per
cent over wages formerly paid and have sgni-
fed their willingness TO adjust other grievances
with their own employees; and
Whereas. They have failed 10 specify the
length OF time this advance would remain in
force, and have also failed TO abolish the slid
ing scale method Of determining wages,
would recommend
per cent providing the operators Will continue
its payment until April l. 1901. and will abolish
the sliding scale n the Lehigh and Schuylkl
regions the scale Of wages in the two last
named districts TO remain stationary at 10 per
cent above hte present basis price and that the
companies will agree TO adjust other grievances
complained OF with committees of their own en-
ployes.
Should this proposition be unacceptable To the
operators, we recommend that the convention
proposes that all questions at issue be submit
Ted 20 fair and impartial board Of arbitration.
We would further recommend that under no
circumstances whatever should there be a re-
sumption Of work at any Of the collieries until
the operators signify their acceptance of this
proposition and you are notified ofnclaly that
the strike is ended, and all return 10 work in &
body on the same day.
Judging from the unanirnity Of the miners IN
accepting the resolution and the determined
stand taken by the operators. it is generally be
lieved here that long contest between the
strikers and the mine owners is not unlikely.
There was great enthusiasm IN the convention
when the proposition TO the operators was car
ried and three cheers were given for President
Mitchell. The resolution was drafted by a com
mittee Of thirteen. appointed at the morning
sion, of which the National president was chair
nan.
MITCHELLs VIEW OF THE RESULT
Mr.. Mitchell. in an interview on the result
Of the convention. said:
The action Of the delegates in convention to-
day in accepting advance Of 10 per cent, pro-
vidng they receive assurances the advance will
continue il force until April l, next year. demon
strates that the miners considerate Of the
public interest involved and are disposed TO be
cOncilia1OTy. and yet the mine owners refuse
10 ioiu hands with the miners in bringing the
strike to z close The responsibility for the
suffering that will entail on the poor in the large
Eastern cities will rest entirely with the oper-
sLors. The operators have now an opportunity
10 prove that the proposition orereo oy tneln
was made in good faith. If they willing to
pay 10 per cent advance they certainly ought
70 continue 20 pay for six months Tne mine
workers viii all remain on strike until they are
officially notified by the officers Of the union
that the strike is declared at an end There will
be no exception TO this rule.
cannot understand any good reason why
the operators should not accept the conditions
same5 in the miners resolution. I, Of course.
Eope that there VIII be q speedy termination Of
this contest, and I believe that in the future
sbc - &I,e;-
ployes with more consideration than they have
n the past.
am entirely satisfied with the action taken
by the miners They did not decide the Ques-
ton with a view Of pleasing me, but took the
step because IL satisfied them It was in their
hands, and they showed an extraordinary spirit
Of fairness
When Mr Mitchell was asked in what man
ner the operators would be informed as they
do not recognize the United Mine Workers he
said the employers would probably find 1t out
through the newspapers. We gathered most
Of information 10 what the operators
are doing" he said. from the newspapers, and
suppose they are doing the same"
DISCUSSING THE WAGE SCALE.
Both Of to-day's sessions were again held in
secret. At the morning session the entire wage
scale was discussed in all its phases. and in
order that something tangible could be brought
before the convention a committee Of thirteen
was appointed for the purpose Of drafting into
resolutions the suggestions made by the dele
gates This committee consisted Of President
Mitchell, the presidents Of Districts No. l and
No. 8, the secretary Of District No. 4, and three
delegates from each OF the three districts, thir-
teen il all Before the convention took its noon
recess " .. Ryan secretary and treasurer of
the United Mine Workers OF Illinois, and
Mother Mary Jones, Of Chicago. made ad-
dresses
Mr. Ryan Informed the delegates that the
bituminOus miners Of illinois were in thorough
sympathy with their Eastern brothers. and said
that if financial aid was needed he felt sure the
Western miners would send it in any quantity.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
The following is the report of the proceedings
Of The afternoon session as given by the Press
Committee:
The afternoon session Of the convention was
called 10 order by the Board member, George