Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-10-25
THE MINERS CONVENTION
Question OF Reinstatement Of Strikers
Causes Some Delay.
COMMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED.
The s.o0o Engineers, Firemen and Pumpmeu
Fear They May Not Get Back Their Places
But for Them the Miners Convention
Would Have at Once Adopted President
Mitchelrs Recommendation.

Wilkesbarre, Pa. (SpeciaD The anN-
icusly awaited convention of the $4,000
striking miners met Monday, but did not
reach vote on the proposed plan of set
Element 1t is expected TO do so Tues
day.
There were COZ delegates present III
the Nesbit Theatre, where the conven-
ton was held, and they were empowered
by their local unions to cast So7 votes
Tor or against President Roosevelt plan
of arbitration. The great majority OF the
delegates were unnstructed, the others
being engineers. fremcn and pumpmcn
who fear that the 5000 strikers OF those
classes may not get back their old places
now held by non-union men. This ques-
ton of the engineers, firemen and pump
men proved the only stumbling block IN
the way of almost immediate adoption OF
the Presidents plan. which carries with
il declaring the strike off and a general
resumption OF work through the I75-mile
strip of the hard-coal region.
At one time il seemed certain that the
convention was about 10 adopt recon-
mendation by President Mitchell to end
the strike, but the opposition plea was
too earnest, ana the final vote went over
until Tuesday. when it is next TO certain
the vote TO declare the strike off will
show a big majority for this move. lie
anxious engineers were allowed to give
full expression TO their feelings.
There were two sessions, morning ana
afternoon. and the net result as regards
the progress OF the convention towards
its great object was a permanent organi-
zation with Mr.. Mitchell in the chair and
the appointment of committee on reso-
buttons. This committee. as Mr. Mitchell
said to the delegates. would prepare a
formal statement to the public. telling
fully and carefully why the convention
decided to continue the strike, If it should
so decide. and why the strike was deciar-
ed off, If that was the outcome OF their
deliberations.
The question before the convention
when il adjourned for the day was the
adoption of resolution IN accordance
with President Mitchells o"ening speech
to call off the strike an q leave all ques-
lions in dispute TO the President 5 COM
mission.
The surprise OF the convention was a
decision to admit newspaper men TO. all
the sessions. open or executive. when
even union miners eagerly waiting by the
hundreds out in the street. could not get
into the theatre Twice the newspaper
men won victories by big maJorities.
First. in response to them asking to be
allowed to remain motion to grant the
request was carried. and later. when a
motion to reconsider the first vote was
defcated The pleas which won were
that the reporters represented the people
that public opinion had helped the strik-
ers, and that the best WAY to get an ac-
curate report OF the convention was 10
let the press representatives remain on
the snot. Even the suggestion OF press
committee of delegates to give the news
10 the correspondents was turned down
bv the convention.