The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-13

SCRANTON. Pa. Oct i2.-Eight hun
dred and dftysseven miners who hold in
their hands the power to end or 10 con-
tinue the anthracite coal miners strike,
which has been in progress for more than
three weeks met In convention here to-
day for The purpose of considering the
10 per cent. net advance in wages offered
by the operators aud adjourned until to-
morrow without taking any action on
their employers proposition Both to-
DAYS sessions were devoted to organic
ing the convention and TO speeches by
many Of the delegates on the mine own
ers' concession. II was not expected that
anything would be done, outside of an
exchange OF views The convention
went into secret session, but IL was
learned from an authoritative source that
not hing of definite nature was suggest
ed.
From the trend OF the remarks OF the
delegates IL was gathered that the 10
per cent proposition. as II now stands, has
very little chance OF being accepted. The
delegates seemed Il was learned, almost
unanimous that the operators should
first make concessions IN the other griev-
ances before the increase Is accepted by
the mine workers Great stress was laid
on the necessity OF aboishing the sliding
scale and substituting therefor a tonnage
basis, on which to fix the rate Of wages.
4 ne proposition OF HaNius the operators
guarantee fixed time for paying the
advance was also thoroughly discussed.
while not few delegates said they would
he satisfied with nothing but more lib
eral increase in wages.
Mode of Procedure.
The mode OF procedure is matter
which IS now occupying the attention Of
the labor leaders. In case the convention
comes TO definite understanding On some
proposition IL has been asked how the
operators would be advised in view OF
the fact that the latter have repeatedly
said they would not recognize the union.
President Mitchell win not discuss that
phase Of the question ana none of the
labor leaders will venture an opinion.
That the present convention viii not
come 20 a definite conclusion IN the gem
efai opinion tonight. II Is the opinion
OF several leaders that the convention as
at present constituted ~ little un-
wieldy. There Is a general movement on
foot having for its object the submission
of the various propositions as they are
suggested by the delegates to a commit
tee appointed BY the convention. for con-
sideratlon. this committee 90 report to
either this or a second convention. This
movement. however, did not gain much %
a start
Some Of the delegates think that the
whole suhjcc, shog,ld DE left tn she hands
Of the national officers, hinled 8y Pres
ident Mitchell ia hts brief remarks just
before the convention went into secret
session.
Mr.. Mitchell Popular.
Mr. Mitchell Is very popular BmonE the
miners az WAS Shown bS the enthusiasm
displayed as he delivered his epening adj
dress lie addreased the deiesatcs az
follows
ss,s..,tisr,.e. II, .,e.ntn. his -a,,,,.ufgo,
! deslre 10 briefly outline the purpose
which prompted ms TO cali you here and
70 pp.nt ont can. nc course you
shoHid pursue 70 deiermining tho guess
t8oRs Nh,ct 10 vitality afoaf nor only ynur-
selves ans tne vast constituency you rep
resent iut aiao the millions 0f people IN
fhs Hsstern au1 Ssw England states and
iu tho anthracite region not directly con-
retted Nifh fhe auai induftfy. Before 10
ing ao. however. permit nv % c1uRratur
laia 500 uIsun ihe arpNth % your nrNAn+
iEation. a. rstaeneea bY tbs large MIN
har of Delegates asstmrled here Thus Is.
withoat eSeeQiien. ihe lafgest labor can-
ventlan which has taken piace in TIE tn
gustfial history ~ car nation The causes
which forced Yuu BE- engage "a The contest
watch has lTeceaed this eunFs 4iian ARE
frera yeafa ~ tanerlnG % inaelihiy irn-
.DfiGted upon yoHf memories HAT "a wuQlf
ne a Nasie ~ worsis 20 Fc-ife thgm here
The STORY ~ your WRONGS has heen truth
PORTRAYED la all fts hl8eausness 81 the
rfpFeHa1faffFfR af fhn rsress- mon s5rt
here "a ee.k aat ihe truth ana repaft the
conditions ~ they really exist aua with
exrsrtiaraf uuanfinifg tie wahic aas aa-
eiarea that Nss4f csusN is flaf. auf that
tae respousieillfF ior fais uaieriunste
etfks rests stlstF uFan tae shaaiGers a.
those 10 euHiage3 gna
coed order Approved.
s'Yar own comfart during tbe atrike.
ever nrSer thr w 9af fsTtnE cifesfnstH atats,
hss econ f1f you ard gaGT cs1se fhe rc-
- ara rananae naation - s3i fuF'irs- laF-
~. st.s atrfefta aenfEa k3atstlaHs nF l1w