The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-13
No Action Taken Yesterday, but the
Sentiment of Miners Made
known i'm Debate.
SPEECHES BY MR.. MITCHELL
WHICH INDICATE THE LINES THAT
MAY BE FOLLOWED.
Statement by the Press Committee on
the Work of the Executive Ses-
sion-The Situation.

SCRANTON. Pa. Oct. 12.-Eight hum
their hands the power to end or continue
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.
advance in wages offered by the operators,
and adjourned until tomorrow without TAX
ing any action on their employers proposi-
tion. Both of to-day's sessions were de-
voted to organization of the convention
and spechmaking by the delegates 1t was
not expected that anything would be done
to-day outside of a general exchange of
views. The convention, after it was per-
manently organized, went into session, but
1t was learned from authoritative sources
that nothing of definite nature was sug-
gested which would lead to a solution of
what is, to the miners, knotty problem.
From the trend of the remarks of the
delegates it gathered that the 10 per
cent. proposition, as it now stands, has
very little chance of being accepted. The
delegates seemed, IL was learned, to be
almost unanimous that the operators would
first make concessions in the other griev-
ances before the increase is accepted by
the mine workers. Stress was laid on the
necessity of abolishing the sliding scale
and substituting therefor tonnage basis
on which to fix the rate of wages. The
proposition of having the operators guaran-
tee fixed time for paying the advance
was also thoroughly discussed, while not
few delegates said they would be satisfied
with nothing but more liberal increase in
wages.
The mode of procedure is a matter which
is now occupying the attention of the
labor leaders. In case the convention
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 question, and none of the
other labor leaders will venture an opinion.
That the present convention will not come
to a definite conclusion is the general opin-
ion tonight. 1t is the opinion of several
leaders that the convention as at present
constituted little unweildy.
There was a movement on foot to-day
having for its object the submission of the
various propositions as they are suggested
by the convention for consideration. this
committee to report to either this or a Sec
ond convention. This movement, however,
does not gain much of a start Some of
the delegates think the whole subject
should be left in the hands of the national
officers as limited by President Mitchell in
a brief speech just before the convention
went into secret session.
MITCHELL'S ADDRESS.
Mr.. Mitchell is very popular among the
miners, as was shown by the enthusiasm
displayed when he delivered his opening
address this morning. Mr.. Mitchell said in
part:
when this strike was put into effect we
declared that Ii would not end unless ma
jority OF the delegates representing the an
thracite miners agreed to its termination.
We repeatedly announced that they would
not undertake to decide the future happi-
ness or misery, the veal or woe, of the 5OO-
900 persons dependent on the anthracite
coal industry for livelihood. We believe
that the men who mine coal; that the men
who work in the colieries, the boys who
work In the breakers. should all be con-
suited before the officers of your union de-
clare the strike at an end Learning that
the operators had posted notices at their
mines, offering an advance of 10 per cent.
on the wages formerly paid, we deemed Ii
our duty to call convention and permit
the miners to pass Judgment On the QueS-
tion of its acceptance or rejection.
Considering the proposition of the oper-
ators l want the delegates attending this
convention to be calm and dispassionate
TO consider the question in all its phases,
to measure carefully the chances of sue
cess and the possibilities of defeat should
the strike be continued. You must not
reach conclusions hastily; you must not
overestimate your strength. and. on the
other hand. you should take every precau-
tion to protect yourselves against the ava
riciousness of your employers, who, l re-
gret 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 op-
orators have recognized your demands for
better conditions 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. You have felt
and with much justice, that a definite peri
cd of time should be named during which
this advance should remain In force. Your
experience where wages are based on a
sliding scale has been so unsatisfactory to
you that you believe the sliding scale meth
od OF determining wages should be abol-
ished, you also believe that the laws of
Pennsylvania should be obeyed by the coal
companies and wages paid twice each
month, you reserving the right of spending
your earnings wherever you choose
Whether IL Is believed best at this time
TO insist on a compliance with all your de-
mands Is a question which you who are
most interested are called upon 10 decide.
Personally. l have hoped we should be
able at time to establish the same
method of adjusting wage differences as
now exists in the bituminous coal regions
where employers and miners delegates
meet in joint interstate conference and like
prudent. sensible business men, agree upon
a scale of wages. which remains in force
for one year. thus removing the causes OF
strikes and lockouts, and even yet l be-
iieve that in future the anthracite opera
tors will accept this humane and progress
sive method OF treating with their en-
ployes-