The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1902-10-22

precipi,ated. Objection was made By
a delegate to the presence of the cor.
respondents, if the strikers not dele.
gates who were standing in great nun.
bers in the street in front of the hall
could not be admitted.
Non-Delegates Burst In.
A debate followed, and suddenly q
rush was heard in the upper gallery
Some one had burst open the door
from the outside and the theater was
soon filled with almost as many union
men who were not delegates as there
were delegates.
Confusion reigned for a time and
President Mitchell, after he had re.
stored quiet, came to the rescue and
suggested that the public be permit
ted to remain until the convention
reached such business as would war.
rant the convention in closing the
doors.
This was adopted and the strike
leader began reading his carefully pre-
pared opening address.
The address was followed with the
closest attention by the delegates.
Those who expected him to tell all he
knew of the situation with reference
to the arbitration commission and
questions of having all the men obtain
their former positions, were disap
pointed, as he reserved this for his
later remarks when the question was
actually brought before the delegates.
At various stages Of the reading of
the address, Mr. Mitchell was applaul.
ed, but when he urged the delegates
to adopt the recommendations of the
executive boards to call off the strike
"and all men are then to work in the
positions they occupied before the
strike was inaugurated," tremendous
applause greeted the remark.
The moment he finished, a Wilkes.
Barre delegate was on his feet and
moved that the recommendations con-
tanned in President Mitchell's address
be adopted. If this had been acted
upon at once the strike would have
been of and the conventions work
done, but those in opposition would not
have it that way. They wanted to
and dd debate the matter until the
adjournment after o'clock.
A Panther Greek engineer was first
to take the floor in opposition to
accepting the plan until he and his
colleagues had some assurance they
would be reinstated in their old po-
sitiOns.
THE companies have declared" he
said, " that they will not dismiss the
men now employed by them and place
strikers in their positions"
At this point a delegate arose and
asked Mr.. Mitchell to express his
views on the subject. He Immediately
responded and made one of the most
important addresses he has been
called on to make during the past FIVE
months He spoke slowly and clearly
and every word was listened to with
the deepest interest. 1t proved to be
the real speech of the day.
His remarks we're greeted with ap-
plause. Another delegate made a
speech against ending the strike
without definite assurance of rein
statement, and Mr.. Mitchell was again
called upon for an explanation of the
status Of the arbitration plan as II now
stands.
Then the delegates again took up the
debate. Many OF the delegates spoke
with great earnestness. Three of
them were willing to return to work
and trust to the union to do justice
to them. Another was willing to leave
the whole matter in the hands Of Pres
ident Roosevelt's commission and
another said: If | can't get my job
can look for another one, therefore
let us go to work and give the Ameri
can people some coal"
The sentiment Of the last speaker
was loudly applauded. After further
debate on both sides it was decided
to let the question go over until morn.
ing.
A committee on resolutions was then
appointed and at 5:1S p. m. the conyen.
ton adjourned until 10 o'clock this
morning.
The committee is composed Of the
following delegates and officers of the
union:
President Mitchell, Secretary Will
son. District Presidents Nichols, Duffy
and Fahy, Delegates p. F. OHora of
Dunmore, Adam Rescavagne of Ply
mouth, John l.. Jones Of Plymouth,
James Gallagher of Hazleton, William
McElhenny of Coal Dale, Andrew Mat
ty of Hazleton, Thomas Thomas of
Minersville, Paul Pulaski of Mt. Carmel
and Louis Cupp of fremont.
The resolutions committee met and
outlined a set Of resolutions to be
presented to the convention
Nothing official was given out as to
what they will contain. It is probable
hey will recommend the acceptance Of
the arbitration plan; that all griey-
ances be submitted to the commission
appointed by president; that all men
who shall not find immediate employ
ment shall be taken care of by the
union until they get positions, and that
organized labor throughout the world
and other organizations and individ-
uals be thanked for the assistance
given the mine workers during their
struggle.