The St. Louis Republic., 1900-10-12
Feeling Is Prevalent That the
Strikers VIII Demand
Much More.
CONVENTION OPENS TO-DAY.
Delegates From the Entire Anthra-
cite Coal Region Are Assembling
at ScrantOn-SecOnd Confer
ence May Be Necessary.

Scranton, Pa, Oct. 1.-THE convention
of the anthracite miners now on strike
throughout the entire hard-coai fields in
Pennsylvania viii convene in this city to-
morrow morning for the purpose OF consid-
ering the 10 per cent increase in wages
prcffered them by nearly all the mine oper-
ators in the region. The outcome OF
the convention Is all a matter OF specula-
tion. and the opinions expressed tonight by
labor leaders are widely divergent.
The delegates to the convention who be-
gan arriving to-day have all sorts OF IN
structions from their local unions on the
proposition of the operators. 1t was
learned that rIcst of them row on the
grcund Will vote to reject the 10 per cent
increase unless tho operators make other
concessions.
Many OF the miners will not favor the
advance unless the operators give n guar
antee that the increase will be kept in
torce for fixed length of time: others
want the urion recognized before they Will
accept the proposition. while not few In
sist upon concessions in the other gricv-
ances.
May Call Second Meeting.
The belief is general that In the absence
of any uniform instructions among the del
egates, the chances OF a settlement by thi5
convention are rather slight 1t is the In
preston of several labor leaders that at
least second convention will have TO be
held before any definite action viii be
taken looking toward early ending OF
the contest.
President Nitchelrs remarks at yeSter-
DAYS mass meeting. in which he told the
mine workers that tho 10 per cent was NOT
satisfactory and that they ought to make
concessions in tho grievances, are taken by
many persons as a hint TO the miners to
reject the mine owners offer. Mr.. Mitchell
however, denied this and said he had no
inteation of influencing the men one way
or another. He said he was merely voicins
the sentiment of himself. his colleagues and
the many strikers with whom he has come
in contact during the last week.
The convention. as near as the United
Mine Workers officials can figure. will con-
s,st of about 700 delegates. About half Of
this number are now here, most of them
coming from the Schuyikiil Valley and the
Hazleton region. The district headquarters
were crowded all day by the visiting dele
gates.
OPERATORS WILL NOT YIELD.
Wilkesbarre Oct 1.-THE Wilkesbarre
assemblies Of the United Mine Workers held
meetings to-day and instructed the dele
gates to the Scranton convention to insist
on the following demands:
/. Recognition of the union
Q Powder reduced to $50.
g. Ten per cent general advance.
T. Two weeks pay.
8. Check docking boss.
6. A contract signed by the companies,
agreeing to the above. To hold good for one
year.
The Instruction of the delegates comes
in the nature of a surprise, as it was ex-
pected that they would be allowed to use
their own judgment. after taking their
seats in the convention and learning. the
sentiments of the other delegates
President Mitchelrs speech at Scranton
yesterday. In which he stated the 10 per
cent in wages offered by the companies was
not enough no doubt Influenced the strikers
in the Wyoming Valley to a more or less ex-
tent.
Tho representatives Of the big coal COM
panies here when shown the list of de-
mands which the miners of the Wyoming
Valley insist upon the convention enforcIny
said there would be no settlement of the
strike on such a basis. They say the de-
mands are too sweeping. and that the COM
panies could not think of granting them.
The individual operators say any further
concessions than those offered are out OF
the question. They claim that. with a 10
per cent increase and no reduction in car
rying tolls, they Will have hard time max
ing ends meet
One individual operator said President
Mitchell will make the mistake OF his m.
if he does not use his influence with the DEL
egates and have them accept the offer made
by the operators.