Evening star., 1900-10-12
ADDRESSED By THE PRESIDENT.
MIR. Mitchell Advises the Delegates to
Use Judgment.

SCRANTON, Pa, October 12.-The con-
vention Of striking anthracite mine work
ers called by President Mitchell of the
United Mine Workers for the purpose of
considering the 10 per cent net advance
offered by the mine owners commenced in
the Music Hall this morning. The dele
gates began TO- arrive at the hall long be-
fore 10 o'clock and stood along the side
walks of Lackawanna avenue discussing
the probable action of the convention. The
little hall, which has a capacity Of about
100. was soon filed after the doors were
opened. Unlike most conventions, there
was an utter lack of decorations in the
hall As each oIucial of the United Mine
Workers entered the hall he was ap-
plauded, but the most enthusiastic demon
straJiOn was reserved for President Mitch
ell, who arrived at 1915 am. The conven-
ton got down TO work very quickly Ten
minutes after the national presidents ar
rival he called the delegates to order and
addressed them as follows:
President MitchelIs Speecb
"Gentlemen In opening this convention 7
desire tC briefly outline the purpose which
prompted US TO call you here 10 point our
If / can the course you should pursue IN
determining the questions which so vitally
affect not only yourselves and the vast con-
stituency you represent, but also the mil
hons OF people in the eastern and New
England states and in the anthracite
industry Before doing so, however per-
init me to congratulate you upon the
growth If your organization as evidenced
by the large number of delegates assembled
here.
This Is without exception the largest
labor convention which has taken place in
the industrial history OF our nation The
causes which forced you to engage In the
contest which has preceded this convention
are, from years of suffering. so inde!iblv
imprinted upon your memories that II
would be a waste of words 10 recite them
here The story of your wrongs has been
truthfully depicted by your officers; II has
been portrayed in all its hideousness by
, the representatives of the press, men sent
here 10 seek out the truth and report the
conditions as they really exist and with
clared that your cause Is just, and that the
responsibility for this unfortunate strike
rests solely on the shoulders of those who
employed you.
Their Conduct Compiimented.
Your own conduct during this strike,
sven under the most trying crcumstan
bas won for you and your cause the respect
end commendation of all justice-loving, pa
triotic people. Violations of law have been
few in number and then only under cir
cumstances in which the miners were not
wholly at fault. In fact, it has been shown
that more overt acts have been COMMITTEES
by those whose duty II is TO enforce the law
than by the mine workers, who have been
so enormously pictured as men entirely de-
void of respect for law and order. For this
you deserve much credit. Labor organiZa-
tions have no greater enemies than the
thoughtless strikers who violate the law OF
permit themselves 10 be provoked into the
commission of crime. It frequently occurs
In the time of strikes that employers pro-
woke strikers into viola tions OF the law
with the hope and the expectation that pub
lie sentiment will be arrayed against the