The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-10-13

Scranton, Pa, Oct. 1Z.-ElSht hundred
and ffty-seven miners, who hold in
choir hands the power to end or to
continue the anthracite col miners
strike which has been in progress for
more than three weeks, met in cOnven-
ton here today for the purpose of con-
sider;ng the 10 per cent net advance in
wages offered by the operators and
adjourned until tomorrow without TAX
ing any action on their employers
proposition.
Both of tOdays sessions were devoted
to organizing the convention and to
speeches by many of the delegates on
the mine owners concession. 1t was
not expected that anything would be
done. outside of an exchange of views.
The convention went into secret Ses-
sion. but it was learned from an au-
lucrative source that nothing of def
mite nature was suggested.
From the trend OF the remarks of the
delegates it was gathered that the 10
per cent proposition as it now stands
has very little chance of being accepted.
The delegates seemed, il was learned
almost unanimous that the operators
should first make concessions in the
other grievances before the increase is
accepted by the mine workers. Great
stress was laid on the necessity of
uhOliShnE the sliding scale and substi-
tuting therefor a tonnage 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 thoroughly discussed
while not q few delegates said they
would be satisfied with nothing but a
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 con-
NentlOn comes to definite understand
ing on some proposition it has been
asked how the operators would be adj
vised. in view of the fact that the lat
ter have repeatedly said they would
not recognize the union. President
Mitchell Will not discuss that phase of
the question and more of the other
labor leaders Will venture an opinion
That the present convention will not
come TO definite conclusion is the
general opinion tonight. 1t is the opin-
Ion Of several leaders that the conven-
ton as at present constituted is a little
unwieldy. a general movement is on
loot, having for its object the submits
SION of the various propositions as they
are suggested b. the delegates to a
committee appointed bv the conaen-
ton for consideration, this committee
TO report to either this or a second
convention. This movement. however.
d.d not gain much of start. Some
o. the delegates think that the whole
subject should be left in the hands of
resident Mitchell in his brief remarks
just before the convention went into
secret session.
Mr.. Mitchell is very popular among
the miners. as was shown by the enthu-
s!asm displayed as he delivered his
opening address.
Mitchell Delivers Address.
In the forenoon President Mitchell
addressed the delegates as follows:
'Gentlemen-In opening this conven-
ton l desire to briefly outline the pur-
pose which prompted us to call you here
ana 70 point out, if / can. the course
you should pursue in determining The
Nursllons which so vitality affect not
only yourselves and the vast cOnstit-
uenCy You represent, but also the mil
mons OF people in the eastern and New /
england states and in the anthracite Z
region, not directly connected with the /
coal industry. Before doing so. how |
SHeI' permit me to congratulate you /
upon the growth of yOG- organization
aN evidenced by the large number Of !
uelegates assembled here. This is with 1
Vut exception the largest labor cOnven- I
L-h which has taken place in the in {
uuSI,lal history of our nation.
ne causes which forced you to en- |
sage in the contest which has preceded /
CHis convention are from years of suf-
-eIlhS so indelibly imprinted upon
our memories that it would be a waste
o. words TO recite them here. The story
-. YOUR wrongs has been truthfully de-
llsled by your officers; it has been por-
Cayed IN all its hideousness by the
'piesentatlves of the FRESHMEN sent
mere 10 seek out the truth and report .
lle conditions as they really exist and
" -lh exceptional unanimity the public
H-S declared that your cause is lust.
S-1 Jhat the responsibility for this I'M
.t,l.unaJe strike rests solely upon the
S"'u'aers of those who employed you
Attempts to Provoke Trouble.
Your own conduct during the strike.
zen under the most trying circum-
s,ah'tS, has Won for you and your
er"s- me respect and commend ton Of
q. 5uSuce-loving and patriotic people
nations u law have been few in I
--.'lI-Der and then only under circum-
-e5NgeS IN which the miners were not
et-uy al fault. IN fact. it has been
c-9"n mat more overt acts have been
-".ihlltod b. those whose duty il j.
E---'rce the law than by the mine
u. Aers Who have been so erroneously
Injured as men entirely devoid of re
80 Tor law and order. For this you
:-EI .e much credit. Labor organiza-
80 nave no greater enemies than the
'5hJieSS strikers who violate the
, 9r permit themselves to be pro-
rr,gt INTO the commission of crime. 1t
- luehJiy occurs in time of strikes
mat employers provoke strikers into
t,t--l''iphS of the law with the hope and
,,-tI, expectation that public sentiment
~, IN De aFrayed against the strikers and
l C--- I,lI.llary arm of the state can be Sc
ot-iel 10 curb the men and defeat the
@y-llS Tor which the strike was in
e 80 Iaied- Whatever may be your de-
'sloH mere today. whether you end or
Qe the strike. it is my earnest
-''Le mat every miner may regard it
g. ms duty not only 10 obey. but assist
al enforcing the law.
Reason for Convention.
w.. W men this strike was put into effect
- Ueciared that &c would not end I'M
So So d majority of the delegates repre-
lung the anthracite miners agreed
~, - termination. We repeatedly an
hi 100 mat we would not undertake
s,.,. N.Glde he future happiness or mis-
80 ne veal or woe Of the 500 600 per
dependent upon the anthracite coal
fbat ~ Tor livelihood. We believe
NJ, - me men who mine coal. that the I
the ~lo work in the cOllieries, that
sbo,,tyyyVy S who work in the breakers
B roCIIu all be consulted before the Of :
VI your union declare the strike /