The sun., 1900-10-13
MINERS CONVENTION.
Scranton Meeting Opens With Hun
dreds of Delegates Present.
SPEECH BY MR.. MITCHELL
President of the Mine Workers
Makes Plea For Calm and
Dispassionnte Discussion of
the Qaestions Involved.

fered by the mine owners commenced in
Music hall. The delegates began to ar
rive at the hall long before the hour for
meeting and stood along the sidewalks OF
Lackawanna avenue discussing the prob
able at tiou nf the convention.
The little hall, which has capacity of
about 700, was soon filled after the doors
were opened. Unlike most conventions,
there was an utter lack of decorations in
the hall. AS each official of the United
Mine Workers entered the hall he was
applauded, but the most enthusiastic
demonstration was reserved for Presi-
dent Mitchell. The convention then got
down to work very quickly.
Ten minutes after the national presi-
dents arrival hc called the delegates to
order and addressed them as follows:
Gantemrn-u opening this convention / desire
70 briefly outline the purpose which prompted Us
to call Fou here, to point out, If can, The course
y0n shoHld pursue in determining the questions
which 50 vitality affect not only yourselves and
Tie vast constituency Ynn represent, but also tho
millions q people il he eastern and New England
state. and III lie anthracite region not directly
connected with The coal industry. Before doing
81. however permit me 70 congratulate you upon
thr ar6Wth ot your organization, as evidenced by
tac large nunbcr Of delegates assembled here
THIS Is without exception the largest labor con
ycntitn which has taken place in the industrial
li.tu& of our nation. The cuuses which fereec
Nnn "a engage in the contest which has preceded
rhis convention are from years Of suffering so in
Geiby imprinted upon yoHr memories that il
would be waste Of words to recite them here
Ihs story Of your wrongs las been truthfuly de
lictal by your Officers. II has been portrayed il
all its hideorsness hy the representatives Of the
press men sent here to seek out the truth and re
tT,..t ...s-, .
exceptional unanimity the public has declared
that your cause is Just and that the responsibility
fer this unfortunate strike rests solely upon the
shoulders of those who employed you. Your
conduct during this strike, even under the most
tryins circumstances, has won for you and youi
cause The respect and commentator Of all justct
loving, patriotic people
Violations Of the law have been few in number
and then only under circumstances in which til,
miners not wholly at fault In fact, it ha,
been shown that more overt acts have been com
mitted by those whose duty it is to enforce tn,
law than by the mine workers. who have been SC
enormously pictured entirely devoid o.
respect for law and order. For this you deserve
much credit Labor organizations have greater
enemies than the thoughtless strikers who volat,
the law permit themselves to be provoked ints
the commission of crime.
1t frequently occurs in time OF strikes that EN-
ployers provoke strikers into violations Of tht
law with the hope and the expectation that pub
lie sentiment will be arrayed against the STRIKE
and the military arm of the state he
TO curb the men and defeat the objects for which
the strike inaugurated. Whatever may bt
your decision here, whether you end or continue
the strike, it is my earnest hope that every mar
may regard it as his duty not only TO obey, bul
assist in enforcing the law.
Whnt Was Declared.
When this strike was put into effect, We de
~. 4 a. :.
the delegates representing the anthracite miner.
agreed to its termination We repeatedly an
nouneed that we would not undertake TO decide
tile future happiness OF misery, the veal or wo
o. the $4,000 persons dependent upon the anthra
eitl coal industry for livelihood.
We believe that the men who mine coal, tlp
the men who work in the collieries, that the boy.
wha work II the breakers, should all be consultee
le;9re tile officers ot your unlen declare the strk,
a IN end Learning Tint the operators had post
ed notices at their mines Offering an advance
~ per eai ol the wagrs formerly paid WI deem
81 i our duty 70 c4ll contention and permit
t3e miners e pass i0lrmaRt on the question o
IT. acceptance OF rejection.
In considering The proposition Of tile OPERATOR
! want tile delegates attending this convention Il
be cain and disrassionate, 10 consider The ques
tlph III all It's phases TO measure carefully thr
chances of success and the possibilities ot defea
should the strike be continued. You must no.
reach conclusions hastily, you must not overesti
mats your strength and, on the otlipr hand, Vol
should take every preeaution TO protect your
selves against the avaricousness Of your employ
ers, Who, regret TO say, have shown no disposi
tion 10 treat you fairly in the past and who hayt
never shown any regard for the welfare of thost
who produce their wealth.
For the first time in many years the operator
have recognized your demands for better condi
tions OF employment and have offered an advance
of 10 per cent in your wages | am well aware
that this advance is not satisfactory to you. Yol
have felt. and with justice, that definite perioc
OF time should be named during which this ad
vance should remain in force.
What Is Advocated.
Your experience where wages based |,
sliding scale has been unsatisfactory to you
that you believe that the sliding scale method Of
determining wages should be abolished. You alst
believe that the laws of Pennsylvania should b.,
obeyed by the coal companies and wages be paie
twice each month, you rescrving the right o.,
spending your earnings wherever you choose
Whether it is better at this time to insist upon &
compliance with all your demands is a question
which you who are most interested are called upoI
to decide. Personally have hoped that we should
be able at some time to establish the methoc
OF adjusting wage differences as now exists in the
btumnous coal regions. where employers ant
miners delegates meet in joint interstate con
Nention and, like prudent, sensible business men
mutually agree upon scale of wages which re
mains in force ior year, thus removing the
causes of strikes and lockouts, and even yet be
lieve that in future years the anthracite OPERATOR;
will accept this humane and progressive methoc
of treating with their employees
Labor organizations, like labor saving machin
cry, are here 10 stay Capital may for time
fuse to treat with them, may because Of its great
power retard the growth OF organizations for 8
time; but, like .'truth cruised to earth" they
will rise again. and will give battle in the de,
fense OF the poor and oppressed.
Now, gentlemen, permit me to admonsh YOU tt
consider seriously the you intend to pur,
sue. The eyes of the American people are cen
tered the city Of Scranton today anxiouslJ
awaiting the result Of this convention / do moi
wish you to accept cent less for your labor than
it is possible for you to secure. l do not wish
the great organization which has been built uE
among you to be wrecked and ruined through
any mistakes of mine or yours. II you legislate
wisely and iudiciously, / can destiny bright.
and happier for you and for those who will
can see future where pleasant homes and happy.
smiling faces Of the wives and mothers will be il
vivid contrast with the conditions of today.
Address Well Received.
President Mitcheli's address was well
received. The next order of business was
the appointment of the committee on Gre
dentials. The committee consists of nine
members, three from each Of the three
districts.
William Davis of Pottsville, known as
fhrs 30 Sc, Infxs