The age-herald., 1900-10-13
OPERATORS OFFER
 MAY BE REJECTED
Miners Fleet in Convention at Scranton to Consider
 Question of Calling Off Strike.
never shown any regard for the welfare of those who produce their wealth.

never shown any regard for the welfare of those who produce their wealth.
 Demands Recognized
 For the first time in many years the operators have recognized your demands for better conditions of employment and have offered an advance of 10 per cent in your wages. 1 am we'll aware that this advance is not satisfactory to you. You have felt, and with much justice, that definite period of time should be named during which this advance should remain in force Your experience where wages are based on sliding scale has been so un- satisfactory to you that you believe the sliding scale method of determining wages should be abolished, you also believe that the laws of Pennsylvania should be obeyed by the coal companies and wages be paid twice each month, you reserving the right of spending your earnings wherever you choose. Whether 1t Is believed at this time best to insist upon a compliance with all your demands is a question which you who are most interested are called upon to de- eide.
 Personally, I have hoped we should be able at some time to establish the same method of adjusting wage differences as now exists in the bituminous coal regions, where employers and miners delegates meet in joint interstate convention and like prudent, sensible business men, mutually agree upon a scale of wages which remains in force one year. thus removing the causes of strikes and lockouts and even yet believe that in the future the anthracite operators will accept this humane and pro- gressive method of treating with their en- ployes.
 Labor organizations, like labor saving machinery, are here to stay; capital may for time refuse to deal with them, nHy, because of it's great power, retard the growth of organizations for a time, but like truth crushed to earth, they will rise again and will give battle in defense of the poor and oppressed.
 Now, gentlemen, permit me to admonish you to consider seriously the course you intend to pursue. The eyes of the American people are centered on the city of Scranton today anXiously awaiting the result of this convention. I do not wish you to accept one cent less for your labor than 1t is possible for you to secure. I do not wish the great organization which has been built up among you to be wrecked and ruined through any mistake of mine or yours. If you legisiate wisely and judiciously, I can see destiny brighter and happier for you and for those who will take your places when you have passed away; I can see future where the little boys will C. in attendance at school instead of wasting their young lives away in the breakers helping to earn livelihood for their parents. I can see future where pleasant homes and happy smiling faces of the wives and mothers will be a vivid con- trast with the conditions of today"
 President Mitchell's address was we'll re- ceved
 While the credentials committee were at work William Davis of Shuylkil County, who Is known to the mine workers as 'the Golden Miner" because he Is said to be the oldest working miner in the anthracite region, recited a poem. After a recess the convention met at 1:40 p. m. and heard the credentials committees report.
 President Mitchell ruled that in compli- arce with the promise made to the non- union mine workers all unorganized men strike would be represented in the con- vention. The reports of the committees were accepted.
 Telegram from Gompers
 Chairman Mitchel's first act was to read a telegram from Samuel Gompers, presi-
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