Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-29
PRESIDENT MITCHELL
IS STILL Waiting
FOR Definite NEWS.
nan SEVERAL LONG TALKS OVER
THE LONG DISTANCE TELE-
PHONE YESTERDAY.
GAVE NO INFORMATION AS
TO WHOM HE TALKED TO.
PROMISES THAT THE UNITED NINE
WORKERS WILL TAKE con-
SENTATIVE POSITION.
WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO DECIDE
THROUGH ITS OFFICERS THE VEAL
OR WOE OF THE HALF MILLION
INTERESTED.

HAZLETON, Pa, September 2S.-
Notwithstanding the rumors OF settle
ment and of concession upon the part OF
the operators there was no change in
the great coal strike situation here to-
day.
That President Mitchell was waiting
for information from New York cannot
be denied, as he intimated several times
during the day that something might
develop before night. In the forenoon
he had two lengthy conversations over
the long distance telephone and between
four and five O'Clock this afternoon he
was at the wire for more than half an
hour.
This has been the greatest industrial
contest between labor and capital in the
history of America" said he. THE
manner in which the men have volun-
tarily responded for the strike demon
strates beyond the possibility of doubt
that the conditions under which they
labored so long were so unbearable that
to continue working meant to surrender
absolutely all hope of maintaining
themselves and families as the Amer
lean citizens believe they should.
IF the ten per cent increase men
toned in the newspapers is correct,
while far from satisfactory,
1t is the Greatest Victory
ever achieved by organized LABOR and
won under the most adverse circum-
stances. Our organization will not
make the mistake which wrecked many
other organizations of assuming the
power to determine through its Off
GERS the happiness or misery, the veal
or woe of the 100000 men and women
and children dependent upon the an
thracite coal industry for livelihood.
1--WE take the position in this con-
test as we have in all others, that cap
ital is entitled to fair compensation on
honest investment, but that no insti-
tuition has a legitimate right to exist
winch does not affard labor a sufficient
rate of wages to enable those depending
upon it to earn a fair living"
In discussing the reported 10 per
cent advance offered the men by the
operators, Mr. Mitchell said:
Under the sliding scale such an in
crease would practically amount to
nothing. What the men would gain in
one day they might lose the next
By the sliding scale is meant that
wages are fixed according to the mar
ket price OF coal. If there is an adj
vance in the price the miners share in
it and should there be a decrease the
miners correspondingly share such a
decrease.
If an increase of ten per cent in
wages is offered the miners it will
probably be done
By Means OF Posted Notices
and the personal visitation of repre-
sentatives of the mine owners and not
to the United Mine Workers. because
the operators say they will never rec
ognize the organization. If the men so
informed desire to consider the propo-
sition they would have meeting OF
their local union called for the purpose
of having the officers of those bodies
notify the three district presidents.
These presidents would inform the ma
tional president AS Mr.. Mitchell is
not empowered TO accept anything less
than all the miners demanded, he could
do nothing but instruct the men to re-
fuse the offer. If the strikers should
still feel that they ought to entertain
the proposition they can ask the nation
al president through local union meet
ing, and then a district convention, to
call a joint convention for three dis
tricts. The request. however, would
not be compulsory, the national presi-
dent being allowed to use his Judg-
ment.
The demands of the men were fixed
by a Joint convention of the three dis
tricts. They cannot accept anything
less than these demands
without a Two-third Vote
of the three districts in joint conven-
ton, which alone can settle any ques-
ton concerning the strike.
The labor leaders here say they feel
that the union and non-union men will
stand out against the reported offer of
ten per cent. increase.
Quietness continues to prevail
tnTCugnouI the WHole lSeniSn valley re-
gion The J. S. Went2 & Co.'S col
liery at Halle Brook shut down to-day.
a body of 100 men having marched
from Freeland to that place and induc-
ed the men working in the Wentz col
liery to quit. There were few changes
in the working forces of the collieries
which have not been shut down.
A large parade Of miners from the
surrounding towns was to be held in
Hazleton tomorrow, but the mayor re-
fused to permit it TO take place. He
would give no reason, but it is believed
he took this step to avoil disturbances.
STILL UNSETTLED.