Evening journal., 1901-03-30
MINERS STRIKE
NOW is AVERTED
Committee Decides Men Shall
Remain at Work
RADICAL ACTION PREVENTED
By the Conservatism and Diplomatic
Speech Of JJhn Mitchell, The
Mine Leader

Wilkesbarre. March 30.-The threat
ened strike Of $4,000 miners in the
hard coal region will not take place.
AT meeting of the executive commit
tee Of the United Mine Workers OF
three districts held in this city yester-
day itiwas decided that the men should
continue to work. This committee
was given arbitrary power by the gen.
eral convention of miners held at Ha-
zleton In the fore part of the month to
declare a strike If the circumstances
warranted it In the opinion of the
committee. In lengthy address issued
last evening, and which was prepared
by Mr.. Mitchell himself. the circum-
stances did not warrant a strike at
this time.
Mr. Mitchell made an address at the
afternoon session of the committee,
which was conservative I'm 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 concessions
asked for had not been granted. but
the outlook for the future was bright,
and IL was his opinion that the day was
not far distant when the operators OF
the anthracite region would see that
Il was 20 their advantage TO meet their
miners In joint conference. II took
some time and hard work before 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 II
the operators did not recognize the
miners union now the opportunity
would be lost forever. President Mitch
ell however soon convinced the COM
mittce that q conservative course was
| the only 20 pursue at this time
A number of coal operators, when
shown the statement issued by the
committee, said n was.a sraccftil back
down on Mitchcl's part. but the coal
men give the president of the mine
workers credit for his conservative poll
icy. IL Is conceded that had he so de-
sired he could have made a great deal
Of trouble.
On the whole the miners are well
| pleased with the action OF the COM
mittoe. While they were ready to
strike. had the order been given, they
are just as we'll pleased that no lock-
out is 10 occur. There is general re-
| ioicing among business men over the
news. The suspense OF the past two
weeks had a tendency to paralyzo
trade, but now a big boom IS looked
for
The address, which is signed by all
the members Of the general committoo,
says In part;
while your committee regret 10 re-
| port that they were unable TO secure all
the concessions hoped for. and believe
we are justly entitled to. we are Of the
| opinion that the willingness of tho
various coal companies to receive COM
mittees representing mine workers for
the adjudication Of grievances records
an important advance step In the right
direction and presaEes more harnoni-
Gus and equitable relations between
employers and employees than have
/ prevailed In the anthracite region hero-
tofore.
"In consideration Of the vast inter-
/ ests involved aad I'm view of the fact
/ that at least partial recognition OF our
organization has been secured. and
with the hope that a greater degree Of
| Justice will be obtained in the not dis
tant future your committee would
respectfully recommend that work be
continued, and that committees he se-
and wnshery and instructed to wait
upon the mine superlntendents or other
person in authority, and in a respect.
ful. conservative. fearless and able
manner present any grievances that
the mine workers may have and ask
that such grievances be adjusted
1--WE would further recommend and
urge upon mine workers cverywhere
! 10 refrain from pnrauing in IocnI
strikes except when authorized By the
district presidents in accordance with
tho constitution and laws Of the ma
tional and district Organlzst tions"
The happiest man in town Is Rov.
r. s. Phillips. the HazletOn priest, who
did so much to bring about a peaceful
settlement Of the differences between
the operatOrs and miners He said.
"Wen. there is everything 10 be
thankful for: a strike would have
meant much misery TO all classes The
operators must now realize that the
miners have placed at the helm men
who are worthy OF their respect and
confidence. and who while contendinr
for fair and equitable treatment in the
conduct Of mining. demand only the
right due intelligent labor. Joint con-
ference is hut delayed. and the preiu-
dices OF years which dcnicd 10 the
miner the right value Of his labor IS
fast disappearing I'm the dawn uf a
new era. whom operator and miner,
having mutual interests, will get to-
gcther and sc.tle differences amicably.
President Mitchell has shown himself
to be true diplomat"