The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-12
EVE OF THE
CONVENTION


favor accepting the offer would result
in the convention taking the operators
proposition by the heels, wiping the
floor with It, jumping all over 1t. and
tossing It ignominously into the gutter.
This having been accomplished. Mr..
Mitchell, It Is pointed out by the ad-
| herents Of view No. g. would proceed
to issue an ultimatum containing
whole lot of demands, and then say to
the operators, as they are now saving
to him: ITS UP to YOU"
All this, however, Is pure conjecture.
| Not even a hint has come officially OF
what the convention is likely to do.
| The newspaper men have besought
| President Mitchell for several days
past to make statement of what the
| probable outcome would be. but he re-
| fuses to discuss the question at all.
Yesterday he gave out the following
prepared statement, in RESPONSE to
| general request from the newspaper
| men.
The miners convention tomorrow will he one
| OF the most remarkable labor meetings held in
| the history OF coal mining; for the first time IN
over thirty years representatives OF all collierics
will meet In convention to discuss matters OF
vital interest to them The proposition Sub
| mitted by the operators TO advance their wages
| ten per cent will. OF course. be the paramount
| question. The same calm. conservative conduct
| of the men during the strike will characterize
| their actions tomorrow. The anthracite miners
as a result of their long years of hardship. have
| become thoughtful and studious. and have a
thorough knowledge of the mining industry in
all its phases. 1t will undoubtedly be their de-
| sire to lcgislate in the interest OF the miners
| OF every section OF the region. The convention
will he free from passion or excitement and the
| miners will demonstrate to the public that they
are capable of doing business as prudent busi'
ness men.
Does Not Say Much.
There are some things in the state
ment that are seemingly significant.
but they are not broad enough to war
| rant any very strong differences. 1T Is,
| In fact, about the only one Of the many
statements issued by Mr.. Mitchell
which does not say something strong.
! His extreme cautiousness is explained
| by close approach of the convention, in
which he says he will not interfere.
Many of the 700 delegates expected to
be in the convention arrived yesterday
and last night and were looked after
by committee of local men. under the
| direction Of District President Il. ID.
Nichols. Accommodations at very rea-
sonable figures We're secured for foO
men at the central city hotels. One
proprietor made a rate Of seventy cents
a day for board and lodging.
The convention will open at 10 o'clock
this morning in Music hall. President
Mitchell will be it's chairman and will
make an opening speech. in which he
will fully and plainly set forth the
| present situation. None but delegates
| will be admitted.
w. d. Ryan. secretary treasurer OF
District No. II. embracing the whole
| Illinois coal region. arrived yesterday
afternoon and registered at the st.
| Charles He stated to Tribune re-
porter that his district union has $400.
900 in its treasury. and that S250.OOO Of
that is Immediately available for the
use of the Pennsylvania miners. No
official request for aid has come to his
union yet, but when it comes. he says.
| it will be generously responded to. He
came here only as a visitor, he said.
| but would go into the convention to
extend a greeting from the Illinois
miners, and to tell the Pennsylvania
miners that their Illinois brethren are
prepared to show their sympathy in a
| very substantial way.
Secretary-Treasurer Wilson, of the
national organization, is also expected
to attend the convention.
Mitchell Interviewed.
a Tribune reporter interviewed
President Mitchell last night as to his
views on the advisablity of accepting
| the ten per cent. offer, but 1t was
| fruitless task.
| Mr.. Mitchell has said all along that
| he would not decide the question for
the miners: that they would be left
| to decide it for themselves. He has
not in any way ever intimated wheth-
er the acceptance or rejection OF the
| Offer would be the more pleasing to
him and the other national officers of
| the union. 1t was pointed out to Mr..
! Mitchell that the miners would very
| much like to know HOY he felt about
| tie matter but further than smiling
his concurrence in this proposition, he
| was dumb.
ITO what extent will you participate
| in the convention" was asked Mr..
Mitchell
II will make an address at the OPEN
ing outlining the occasion for calling
the convention and setting forth the
question that the delegates will be
called upon 10 decide. I will not ad-
wise them as to what conclusion they
should reach. but | will indicate to
tA'm my views on how they should
r,ceed to reach conclusion"
The convention may be open, Mr..
Mitchell said. but the chances are that
before the discussions begin the dele
gates will vote to go into executive
session. As much of the proceedings
OF the executive session as is deemed
eNpedient to make public will be given
| out by press committee. Mr,
Mitchcll's address will be given out for
publication. He spent Il soodly part OF
last night framing it.
President Mitchell visited the district
headquarters yesterday morning, and
last Night attended a reception given
by the Elks, of which organization he
is member. The remainder of the
day was spent in attending 70 his cor
respondence and contc,rin, with other
| officers of the union Oh the plans for
the convention.
HIGHWAY ROBBERY CHARGED.
| JOhn McKana of Willie