The Portland daily press., 1900-10-08
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.
Which May Lead to Ending of Great
Strike.

Strike.
Hazleton, Pa, October IA CONFER
ence which is believed to mark the begin
ming OF the end Of the anthracite coal
miners strike which enters upon it's
fourth week tomorrow, was held at the
head quarters of ths United Mine Work
ers here this afternoon. Those present
besides President Mitchell were Fred
DaIcher of Ohio, a member OF the execu-
tive board, and Presidents Il. u. Nichols
of District N 0. 1, Lackawanna and Wy
oming valley; James Duffy, District No.
IL, Lehigh valley; John Fahey, District
No. g. SchuyIkiIi valley. Although no
information was given out, it is known
that the question of issuing a call for
joint convention was the principal matt
ter discussed. The Associated Press is
able to announce that the coming con-
vention Will be held at Scranton unless
something unforeseen should arise be-
tween now and the time of issuing the
call. Besides taking up the matter of a
convention call, it is understood that
the question of representation was also
considered. yhe three district presidents
made full reports as to the conditions as
they now exist in the respective districts.
President Mitchell, after the conference,
said he would have something to say TO-
morrow In regard to the convention. II
the date has been fixed only Mr.. Mitch
ell and his colleagues know 1t, OF course
the principal matter to come before the
miners will be the acceptance or rejec-
ton of the ten per cent net increase
offered by most of the operators. Pres1
dent Mitchell said today that not one
official of the United Mine Workers will
take hand in any action the conven-
tion might take as the men must them
selves SC tile everything that comes before |
them. How long the convention Will be
in session depends on the amount OF
business that may be presented The be-
lief is general that the miners will ac-
cept the increase. Most of the mine own
ers who have granted theswage concession
do not specify In their notices how long
the advances shall remain in force and 1t
is not unlikely that an attempt will be
made by the miners in convention to
open negotiations with the operators
looking toward an understanding in
the matter. President Mitchell and the
other labor leaders are strong advocates OF
an annual wage scale arrangement SIM
liar to that in force in the bituminous
coal field. The operators in those regions
meet their employees each year and fix the
wage scale. II this proposition and that
relating to the abolition of the sliding
scale are brought before the convention
and negotiations with the owners are
opened, it might considerably delay the
settlement of the strike.
Sheriff James Harvey of this county,
who has been kept busy during the past
three weeks owing to the marching of
large bodies of strikers, called on Presi |
dent Mitchell at headquarters this after
noon Neither would disclose the pur-
pose of the meeting except to say
that it was merely a social call on the
part of the sheriff. tt is understood, how
ever, that the sheriff's IS purpose in calling
was to ask Mr.. Mitchell to use his infu-
ence as President of the United Mine
Workers to have the strikers refrain from
further marching on the grounds that
the gathering OF large crowds has ten
dency to create disturbances. 1t is said
that Mr.. Mitchell informed the sheriff
that as the order for the marching did
not emanate from headquarters, he
could not stop the men from walking the
roads.
TROOPS TO BE MOVED.
Shenandoah, Pa, October 7.-Gen.