Evening journal., 1900-10-13
There Is no Indication Of an
Early Settlement Of the
Strike
OPPOSED TO SLIDING SCALE
Delegates Think That Wages Should
Be FIXED on a Tonnage
Basis

81 AhAohf id.t lS.-ElBnl nunure0
ind hfty-seven miners who hold in
their hands the power to end OF con-
tinue the anthracite coal miners strike,
which has been in progress for more
than three weeks, met IN convention
here yesterday for the purpose Of con-
Hidering the 10 per cent net advance
In wages offered by the operators and
adjourned until today without taking
any action on their employers propo-
sition. Both OF yesterdays sessions
were devoted to organizing the conven-
ton and to speeches by many OF the
delegates on the mine owners conces-
sion.
From the trend OF the remarks OF the
delegates II was gathered that the 10
per cent proposition as II now stands
has very remote chance of being ac-
cepted. The delegates seemed. 1t was
learned. to be almost unanimous that
the operators should FIRST make CON
cesslons In the other grievances before
the increase be accepted by the mine
workers. Great stress was laid on the
necessity of abolishing the sliding
scale and substituting therefore a tom
mage basis on which to fix the rate Of
wages. The proposition OF having the
operators guarantee a fixed time for
paying the advance was also thorough
ly discussed, while not a few delegates
said they would be satisfied with moth
ing but a more liberal increase In
wages.
The mode Of procedure is a matter
which is now occupying the attention
OF labor leaders. In case the conven-
tion comes to a definite understanding
on some proposition, the question has
been asked how the operators 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 strike and none OF the other labor
leaders viii venture an opinion.
It is the opinion OF several Of the
labor leaders that the convention as
at present constituted is a little un-
wieldy. There was a movement on
foot yesterday that the various prOpo-
sitiOns as they are suggested by the
delegates should be submitted to a
committee appointed by the conven-
tiOn for consideration, and this COM
mittee make report to either this or
a second convention. This movement.
however. did not gain much OF a start.
Some of the delegates think that the
whole subject should be left III the
hands OF the national officers.
President Mitchell called the conven-
tion TO order at 1925 o'clock, and i'm
mediately began reading his address to
to the delegates. He urged calm delib-
Grafton OF the matters to be presented.
saying in part:
In considering the proposition OF
the operators / want the delegates at
tending this convention to be calm and
dispassionate. TO consider the question
in all its phases. to measure carefully
the chances Of success and the possi-
bilities Of defeat should the strike be
continued. You must not reach con-
clusions hastily, you must not over
estimate your strengh. and on the
other hand you should take every pre-
caution to protect yourselves against
the avariciousness of your employers,
who, I regret to say, have shown no
disposition to treat you fairly in the
past, and who have never shown any
regard for the welfare OF those who
produce their wealth.
For the first time in many years the
operators have recognized your de-
mands for better conditions OF employ
ment. and have offered an advance of
10 per cent in your wages. am well
aware that this advance is not satis-
factory to you. Whether It is better at
this time 10 insist upon a compliance
with all your demands is a question
which you who are most interested are
called upon TO decide"
After President Mitchens address
COMMITTEES on credentials from each of
the three districts were appointed.
While these COMMITTEES were at work,
William A. Davis. of Schuylldii county,
who is known to the mine workers as
the golden miner" because he Is said
to be the Oldest working miner In the
anthracite region, recited poems and
sang songs. The reports of the com
mittees were accepted and the commit
tees were continued for the purpose Of
untangling minor technlcalities in
some of the credentials. There were
S57 delegates in attendance according
to the committees.
This tedious work completed the