The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-18

WILKESBARRE, Pa, Oct. 17.-In
accordance with the call issued yes
terday by order of the executive
boards Of the anthracite districts of
the miners union, all locals" through
out the coal field began electing dele
gates today to the convention which
will be held here next Monday to con-
slider the arbitration plan submitted
by President Roosevelt. Most of the
local unions held their meetings to-
night. They all will have been held
by tomorrow night.
1t is practically certain that major
ity of the delegates will come to the
convention instructed to vote in ia
vor Of accepting the arbitration
scheme. The prominent officials of the
union say there is no fear that the op-
position will be strong enough to de-
feat the efforts Of those who favor
ending the strike by arbitrating their
differences with the operators. Presi-
dent Mitchell does not care to antici-
pate the action Of the convention, but
from his manner it Is taken that he
has not the slightest doubt as to the
result. He will go into the conven-
tion and make strong speech for the
acceptance of the arbitration scheme.
Two-Day Convention.
The indications are that the convention
will last two days and that there will
be much debate on various features of
the plan. The conditions at some coll
lieries are different from those at 9TH
er places The principal question to
be discussed before the plan is ac-
cepted by the miners will be that Of
taking care of all the men. The con-
ditions of the mines are such that all
workmen cannot be given work i'm
mediately and some will have to wait
for weeks before the companies can
take care of them. The operators will
not dismiss the non-union men in or
der to give employment to returning
strikers. 1t is understood the union
will take care of all such men who fail
to find immediate employment. This
will be done by drawing funds from
the relief fund, which is said to be still
growing.
1t is estimated that % per cent OF
the collieries will be in operation on
the first day after the convention is
over. The railroads are making every
effort to have enough cars on hand to
carry the freshly mined coal to mar
ket and are sending thousands of cars
into the regions and placing them on
sidings at the collieries.
Roosevelt Mitchell Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 1.-THE
following telegraphic correspondence,
consisting of the letter of President Roose-
vol to I'm Of hA
United Mine Workers and the latter's re-
ply, were made public at the White house
today:
white House, Washington, Oct. 16,
1902. Mr.. John Mitchell. president Unit
ed Mine Workers of America, Wilkes
barre, Pal have appointed as commits
sioners, Brig. Gen. John M. Wilson, Mr..
E. E. Clark Mr.. Thomas III. Watkins and
Bishop John L. Spalding, with Hon. Car
roll D. Wright as recorder. These names
are accepted by the operators, and 1 now
most earnestly ask and urge that the
miners likewise accept this commission.
1t is matter Of vital concern to all our
people, and especially to those in our
mining of coal should be resumed without
days unnecessary delay
Theodore Roosevelt"
John MltcheIPs Answer.
'Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 16. 1902. Hon.
Theodore Roosevelt. president of the
United States, Washington, d. c., Dear
Sir-I am in receipt of your telegram
of Oct. 16. Replying thereto, I beg to
inform you that your recommendations
were submitted to the members Of the
executive boards of districts 1, and 9,
United Mine Workers of America, and
they have unanimously agreed to call q
delegate convention, to be held next Mon
day, and will recommend to the conven-
tion that all men now strike return to
the positions and working places formerly
occupied by them and submit to the COM
mission appointed by you all questions
at issue between the operators and mine
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