The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-12
MINERS MEET.
Delegate Convention Assemblies
at City Of Scranton
To Take Action ON the Offer of
To Take Action ON the Offer Of
the Operators.
OUTLOOK is NOT GOOD
For a Settlement on the Basis
Proposed.
President MitcheII's Address In
dicates No Agreement.

Scranton, Pa, Oct.12-The convention
Of striking anthracite mine workers
called by. President Mitchell of the Uni
ted Mine Workers for the purpose of
considering the 10 per cent net advance
offered by the mine owners convened III
Music Hall today. The delegates began
10 arrive at the hall long before 10
O'Clock and stood along the sidewalks of
Lackawanna avenue. discussing the pro-
bable action of the convention The lit
tie hall, which has a capacity of 7G0.
was soon filed after the doors were op-
ened- Unlike most conventions, there
was an utter lack Of decorations in the
han. AS each official of the United Mine
Workers entered the hall, he was ap-
plauded, but the most enthusiastic dem
onstration was reserved for President
Mitchell who arrived at 1O:15 o'clock.
The convention got down to work very
quickly. Ten minutes after the nation
al presidents arrival, he called the dele
gates to order and addressed them as
follows;
nTCHELL>s ADDRESS.
Gentlemen In opening this convention
which prompted Us to call you here to
point out, If ! can. the course you SHOULD
pursue in determining the questions which
50 viIally affect not only yourselves and
the vast consAl tuency you represent, put
and New England states and IN the an
thracite region not directly connected
with the coal industry Before doing so,
however permit me to congratulate you
upon the growth of your organization as
evidenced by the large number OF dele
gates assembled here.
This is without exception the largest
iD4 Ia Pie ingsr5 pgn siltav @ If onr ndtion
The causes which forced you to engage
o1Ila+an 1a ra fTnTl ears If I1fferin
so indelibly imprinted upon your menor-
TO recita them mere The story Of your
wrongs has been truthfully depicted by
your officers. 1t has been portrayed IN
all its hideousness by the representatives
Of the press, men sent here to seek out
the truth, and report the conditions as
unanimity the public has declared that
Tor this unfortunate strike rests solely
upon the shoulders of those who en-
The strike, even under the most trying
circumstances, has won for You and our
cause. the respect and commendatiQn of
all jusuce-loving patriotic people. Viola
tions of law have been few IN number
which the miner was not wholly a fault.
In fact it has been shown that more overt
duty it is to enforce the Law more than
by the mine workers, who have been 50
void of respect for law and order. For
this you deserve much credit Labor or
The thoughtless strikers who violate the
law permit themselves to be provoked
quentiy occurs IL times Of strikes that
employers provoke strikers into violations
Of the law with the hope and expectation
that public sentiment will be arrayed
against the strike and the military arm
men and defeat the objects for which the
strike was inaugurated- Whatever may
be your decision here today. should you
end or continue the strike, it is my earn
est hope that every man may regard it
IN enforcina HE law When this strike
was put into effect we declared it would
rnfnr Ear7d If
representing the anthracite miners agreed
to its termination.
We repeatedly announced that we would
not undertake to decide the future hap
piness or misery, the veal, or woe of the
upon the anthracite coal industry for a
livelihood We believe that the men who
mine coal, that the men who work in the
colieries. that the boys who work in the
breakers, should all be consulted before
strike at end Learning that the op-
orators had posted notices at their mines
wages formerly paid We deemed il our
duty to call a convention and permit the
Of its acceptance or rejection
In considering the proposition of the
operators I want the delegates attending
this convention to be calm and 2dispas-
sionate, to consider the question in all it's
phases to measure carefully the chances i
shouId the strike be confirmed Won T91Ist
not reach conclusions hastily, you must
4he ofber hand Won shoIlTd fa1,a 49, ~
the avariciousness of your employers. ]
who. I regret to say, have shown no dis
and who have never shown any regard
for the welfare OF those who produce their
wealth
For the first time in many years the
operators have recognized your demands
for better conditions of employment. and
have offered an advance of TO per cent in
your wages. I am well aware that this
sauNance IS not satisfactory TO YOU I GU
have felt. and with much justice, that
3 definite period of time should be named
during which this advance should remain
IN 1QFce- Your acceptance where wages
are based a sliding scale has been
SO dnsat tIsfactory TO YOU that you believe
-u-ae-ae sFt7,-4s ~ teil - -
1eEe that the laws of PennSyf4-ars> t
shoald be caeyed by the coal conpans ses I
atAG nss~S pe AalI twice eaca month. you I
xeservtns the right Of spending YOUR earn /
ings wherever YOU choose. Wherber il !
IS believed best at this time 10 insise /
upon q compliance with all YOUR demands I
is question which You who are most IN /
terested, are called upon to decide Par- !
sonaHy nave hoped We should be able /
at some lAIle tQ establish the same I
method OF ADJUSTING wage differences as I
now exists IN the bituminous coal reg i
IONS. Wnefe employers and miners dele /
gates meet in joint inter-state r0nverri,s,
and Ike prudent sensible business men /
mutually agree upon scale of wages I
which remains in force for one wear 461.s I
removing the causes of strikes and 7acz- +
outs and even Yet. believe that in IN
tpre, the anthracite operators VIII accent +
tllls humane ana progressive method Of +
treating with their employees.
Labor organizations. like labor-saxif1e
machinery are here TO stay. capital NAV i
Deealse OF Its great power retard the I
growth Of organizari rions fer a time b77f /
Ike truth crushed to EARTH, they will /
tense Of the poor and oppressed.
NOW gentlemen, permit me 10 adno~-
1sh You TO consider seriously the eaIIrse
% fF4al