Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-03-13
CONVENTION
IN SESSION
Mine Workers Deliberating
at Hazleton.
Labor Legislation the Sub
ject of Much Discussion.
President Mitchell Re-
fuses Gift of Home.

The first session Of the convention OF
anthracite miners opened at Hazleton
yesterday. Nearly 500 delegates re-
sponded to President Mitchell's call for
order in the Grand opera house at the
opening session. The proceedings were
public. Mr.. Mitchell made = short
spesch. Among other things he said:
81 cannot but feel gratiied over the
magnificent attendance OF miners at
this convention. When | irst came to
the anthracite region to assist you In
your struggle for better wages and con-
ditions you were not strong at all, the
total membership of this district alone
not amounting to more than there are
delegates here today. Now hardly
miner is not member OF our union.
"At this time l do not deem it prudent
to tell you what l think the convention
should do, but it is my belief that the
operators should not hesitate to meet
with us in joint conference. Last fall
when | went to New York to interview
a gentleman at the head Of one OF the
great railways l was told that thu Mine
Workers did not represent the miners.
Now we do. and it seems that we should
be fairly treated and that conference
should take place. The same friendly
feeling should prevail in the anthracite
fields as in ths bituminous regions
wlere the operators and their men
meet every year and agree on the next
years wage scale"
Almost Immediately thereafter sharp
discussion OF the mine inspectors bills
was inaugurated, and the debates be-
tween some Of the labor leaders, espe-
cially between T. d. Nichols and Ben
jamin James, at times developed acri-
mnous personalities.
President Nichols, OF District No. 1.
started the discussion OF the measure by
suggesting that action be taken at once
by the convention regarding the Garner
and Ferrebee bills. He said that the
Ferrsbee bill, while containing pract-
cally the same pro vision as the Garner
measure, vests in the governor the ap-
pointment OF the inspectors, while the
other provides for their election by the
people. He asked that the union indorse
the latter. No action was taken, how
ever, although an hour or more was
consumed In discussion OF the main
features OF both measures.
There was difference of opinion on
the question of reducing the inspectors |
salaries, number OF delegates led by
Benjamin James being unalterably op-
posed to the proposition, and others in
dorsng with applause the stand taken
by L. ID. Nichols, who claimed that, as
the miners of the three districts de-
manded a reduction, he was willing to
follow their Instructions regardless OF
his personal opinion.
MITCHELL DOESN'T WANT HOME.
AT the afternoon session, the question
of providing home for Mitchell wa.
called up. Immediately after the mat
ter was brought before the convention,
President Mitchell stepped to tho front
of the stage and in ringing speech de-
clined to accept the offer Of the miners
of the anthracite region to erect home
for him, for which purpose funds were
to be collected. He said that instead OF
buyinU a home the miners should rnn- |
tribute toward the erection of monu-