The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-14
Outcome in Doubt, for Operators Have
Said They VIII Make No
More Concessions.
STATEMENT BY MR.. MITCHELL
WHO SAYS THERE WILL BE No
WEAKENING AMONG THE MEN.
Many Strikers Pleased at the Outlook
However, and Hopeful OF soon
Returning tn Work.

SCRANTON, Pa, Oct 13.-Ihe antnracito
coal miners now strike, after a two
days convention. late this afternoon de-
cided to accept the 10 per cent ner increase
In wages offered by the mine owners. pro-
viding they will continue the payment OF
the advance until next April and will abol-
ish the sliding scale. II the operators con-
slider the proposition unacceptable, the
miners are willing to arbitrate the question
st issue They also decided TO continue the
strike until the operators agree to the con-
vention's proposition. The resolutions fol-
low:
''We. your committee, respectfully submit
the following preamble and resolution Tor
your consideration:
.sWhereas. The anthracite coal operators
have posted notices Offering an advance OF
10 per cent. over wages formerly paid, ana
have signifed their Willingness TO adjust
our grievances with their employees;
Whereas. They have failed TO specify the
length of time this advance would remain
I'm force and have also failed TO abolish
the sliding scale method or determining
wages; we would recommend:
THAT this convention accept an advance
Of 10 per cent, providing the operators Will
continue its payment until Aprll l. Isel:
and will abolish the sliding scale IN the
Lehigh and Schuylkill regions, the scale OF
prices In the two last-named distrlcts %
Iemain stationary at 10 per cent above the
present basis price; and that the companies
will agree TO adjust other grievances c0m-
planned of with committees OF their own
employees.
sShould this proposition be unacceptable
TO the operators, we recommend that all
questions at issue be submitted TO fair
and impartial board of arbitration.
1--WE would further recommend that, un-
der no circumstances whatever, should
there be a resumption or work at any of
the collieries until the operators SIGNIFY
their acceotance OF this proposition; ana
ended, and all return 70 work In body on
the same day.
Judging by the unanimity of the miners
in accepting the above resolution. and by
the determined stand taken by the oper-
ators, IL is generally believed that long
contest between the strikers and the mine
owners is not unlikely. There was great
enthusiasm in the convention when the
counter-proposition 10 the operators was
carried. and three cheers were given for
President Mitchell. The resolutions were
drafted by a committee OF thirteen. ap-
pointed at the morning session. OF which
the national president was chairman.
Mr.. MITcHELLS VIEWS.
Mr.. Mitchell, in an interview with rep
resentative of the Associated Press. on the
outcome of the convention, said: "The ac-
i'm accepting an advance OF 10 per cent.
provided they receive assurances the adj
vance will continue in force until April !.
next year, demonstrates that the miners
are considerate of the public interests in
volved, and are disposed TO be conciliatory;
and yet, the mine-owners refuse TO join
hands with the miners in bringing the
strike TO close. The responsibility for the
suffering that will entail on the poor in the
large Eastern cities will rest entirely with
the operators. The operators have now an
opportunity 10 prove that the proposition
offered by them was made in good faith.
II they are willing TO pay 10 per cent ad-
vance they certainly ought 20 continue 70
pay IL for six months The mine workers
will all remain on strike until they are Of
ficialIy notified by the officers OF the union
that the strike is declared at an end There
will be no exception TO this rule
II cannot understand any good reason
why the operators should not accept the
conditions named in the miners resolu-
tons I. OF course, hope that there will be
a speedy termination of this contest. and
I believe that in the future the operators
will be disposed 10 treat with more con-
sideration their employees than they have
in the past / am entirely satisfied with
the action taken by the miners. They did
rot decide the question with a view OF
pleasing me, but took the step because it
satisfied them. II was IN their hands, and
they showed an extraordinary spirit OF
fairness"
When Mr.. Mitchell was asked In what
manner the operators would be notified
In view that they do not recognize the Uni-
red Mine Workers. ne said the employers
would probably find IL out through the
newspapers. I'VE gathered most OF our
information as TO what the operators are
Loing.'' he said. from the newspapers and
I suppose they are doing the same"
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS
Both OF to-esy's sessions were again held
ir secret AT the morning session the en-
tire wage scale was discussed in al IT.
phases. and in order that something tam
sible could be brought before the conxen-
ton a committee OF thirteen was appointed
for the purpose Of drafting into resolutions
the suggestions made by the delegates Thls