Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-30
THERE WILL Be No STRIKE
N anthracite REGION
PRESIDENT MITCHELL AND THE
DISTRICT PRESIDENTS ISSUE
A STATEMENT
DID NOT GET ALL THEY ASKED,
BUT SECURED ENCOURAGING CON-
CEsSIONS AND HAVE CAUSE
TO HOPE.

in the hard coal region will not take
place. At a meeting of the executive
committee of the United Mine Work
ers of the three districts held in this
city to-day, it was decided that the
men should continue at work.
This committee was given arbitrary
power by the general convention Of
miners held at Hazleton in the fore
part CO the month to declare a strike
if the circumstances warranted it. In
the opinion of the committee, in a
lengthy address issued this evening,
and which was prepared by Mr.. Mitch
ell himself, the circumstances do not
warrant a strike at this time. Mr..
Mitchell made an address at the after
noon meeting of the committee which
was conservative in the extreme. He
spoke of his visit to New York and
his efforts to secure interviews with
the men who control. the anthracite
coal trade. He said all the cOnces-
sions asked for had not been granted,
but the outlook for the future was
bright, and it was his opinion that the
day was not far distant when the oper-
ators of the anthracite region would
see that it was to their advantage to
meet their miners in joint conference.
1t took some time and hard work be-
fore the bituminous operators would
consent to meet their miners, but they
eventually did. Some members Of the
committee, so it is said, were in favor
of pursuing a radical course on the
ground that if the operators did not
recognize the miners now the oppor-
tunity would be lost forever. Presi-
dent Mitchell, however, soon convinced
the committee that d conservative
course was the only one to pursue at
this time.
A number of coal operators, when
shown the statement issued by the
committee, said it was a graceful back
down on Michele part, but the coal
men gave the president of the United
Mine Workers chedit for his conserva-
tive policy. 1t is conceded that had he
so desired he could have made a great
deal of trouble.
On the whole, the miners are well
pleased with the action of the COM
mittee. While they were ready to
strike had the order been given, they
were just as we'll pleased that no lock-
out is to occur. There is general re-
joicing among the business men to-
night over the news. The suspense OF
the past two weeks had a tendency
to parable trade, but now a big boom
is looked for. The happiest mar in
town tonight is Rev. e. S. Phillips,
the Hazleton priest, who did so much
to bring about a peaceful settlement
of the differences between the opera
tors and miners. He said:
well, there is everything to be
thankful for. A strike would have
meant much misery to all classes
The general committee issued the
following statement tonight:
WILKESBARRE PA, March %. 1901.
To Miners and Mine Workers of tho An
thracite Region:
Gentlemen:-Pursuant to the instructions
1.zL>5i~4 - tLa ,o~of,+t0~ oAortoj a. tbs
Hazleton convention, we, your committee,
consisting of national and district off,
GERS. have made every possible effort to
arrange a joint conference of operators
and miners prior to April 1, 1901. The res
olution provided that full power was vest
ed in the executive board, the district and
national officers, to determine the policy
and movements of our organization even
to the extent of ordering a suspension of
work should we fail to establish a gen.
eral joint conference with the operators.
In prosecuting the duties assigned to US.
our committee addressed a communication
to each of the presidents of the coal car
rying roads, inviting them to join us in
holding a joint conference with repre-
sentatives of the mine workers. Failing
TO receive n favorable replies to our in
vitations, a subcommittee composed OF
the national and district presidents pro-
ceeded to the city of New York, and
through the instrumentality and assist
ance of influential friends of organized
labor, a conference was secured with rep
resentatives OF the coal carrying railroads,
at which your committee presented the
claims of the mine workers in as able and
lucid a mannar as they were capable Of.
The representatives of the operators lis
tened TO the presentation OF our argu-
ments. and while they wouId not agree
to meet in general joint conference with
the miners this year, they did agree that
the notices which were posted continuing
the advanc In wages until April I. 1892.
and agreeing to take up and adjust with
their mine employees any grievances they
might have, should be interpreted q
construed to mean th1k c grievances
should be considered and adjusted with
representatives or committees Of the mine
workers; and they held out the hope that
If during the present year the mine work
ers demonstrated their willingness and
ability to abstain from engaging In local
strikes, full and complete recognition Of
the Organization would u-nquestionabIy be
accorded at q future date.
While your committees regret to report
tha they we're uuahle to secure m the
concessions Ne hoped for and believe ne