Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-12
Strikers in Session at Scranton to Act on
Question Of Settling the Great Strike at
the Terms Offered,
pres. M|TCHELL'S ADDRESS
Whatever THE OUTCOME, THE STRIKE HAS BEEN LARGEST
BUT MOST PEACEFUL ONE, IN THE HISTORY OF
H. THE COUNTRY.

passionate, to consider the question in
all it's phases. to measure carefully the
chances of success and the possibilities
of defeat, should the strike be contin-
ued. You must not reach conclusions
hastily; you must not over-estimate
your strength and, on he other hand, you
should take every precaution to protect
yourselves against the viciousness of
your employers who, regret to say, have
shown no disposition to treat fairly in
the past and who have never shown any
regard for the welfare of those who pro-
duce 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 10 per cent.
in your wages. ] am well aware that
this advance is not satisfactory to you.
You have felt, and with justice, that
definite period Of time Should be named
during which this advance should re-
main in force. Your experience where
wages are based on a sliding scale has
been so unsatisfactory to you that you
believe that the sliding scale method Of
determining wages should be abolished
You also believe that the laws of Penn
sylvania should be obeyel by the coal
companies anu wages Oe pdlu tWlCe cdCH
month, you reserving the right Of spend
ing your earnings wherever you choose.
Whether it is believed best at tbs time
to insist upon compliance with all your
demands is question which you, as most
interested, are called upon to decide.
Personally, I have hoped we should be
able at some time to accomplish the
same method Of adjusting wage differ-
ences as now exists in the bituminous
coal regions, where employers and min
| ers' delegates meet in joint Interstate
convention and like prudent, sensible
| business men, mutually agree upon
scale Of wages which remains in force for
lone year, thus removing the cause of
| strikes and lockouts and even yet l be-
lieve that in future the anthracite oper-
| ators will accept this humane and pro-
| eressiye method of treating with their
employees.
Labor organizations, like labor-sav-
| ing machinery, are here to stay. Capital
| may for a time refuse to deal with them,
may, because of it's great power retard
the growth of organizations for 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 ad-
|
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 it is possible for you
| to secure. do not wish the great or
| eanization which has been built among
YOU to be wrecked and ruined through
| any mistake of mine or yours. If you
legislate 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. l
can see a future where the little boys
will be in attendance at the school In
stead of wasting their young lives away
in the breakers, helping to earn live
lihood for their parents. I can see
future where pleasant homes and happy,
smiling faces of the wives and mcthers
will be in vivid contrast with the condi-
tions of today
President Mtchelps address was well
received. The next order of business
was the appointment of a committee on
credentials. The committee consists of
nine members, three from each of The
districts.
William Davis of Pottsville, known as
| CHe SOAuei NY ISdSOH I'll VclIiS
the Oldest working miner in the an.hra-
cite region, was introduced and read q
short poem.
The convention at II o'clock took q
short recess until 1:3O p. m. to allow the
committee to examine the credentials.
President Mitchell's nom -committal has
not helped in bringing about the settle.
ment of the questions which will come
before the convention. A canvass OF
. many delegates today shows that a set.
tlement of the strike by this convention
is improbable.