The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-10-24
.GOTO WORK
Great Anthracite Coal Strike
Officially Declared Off.
BY MINERS IN CONVENTION
Affected Region Celebrated the Event
All Details Left to Commission
Men viii Resume Their Old POSI-
tions Thursday.

wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 22.-With
shout that fairly shook the convention
building, the representatives OF the
147, 900 mineworkers who have been
on strike since last May, officially de-
clared off at noon Tuesday, the great
est contest ever waged between cap
ital and labor, and placed all the ques-
lions involved In the struggle into the
hands Of the arbitration commission
appointed by the president OF the
United States.
When the news was flashed to the
towns and villages down in the valleys
and on the mountains Of the coal re-
gions the strike-affected inhabitants
heaved a sigh of relief. Many days
have gone by since more welcome
news was received. Everywhere there
was rejoicing, and In many places the
end of the strike was the signal for I'M
promptu town celebrations.
President Roosevelt, having taken
prompt action in calling the arbitra-
tors together for their first meeting on
Friday, the miners hope they will
know by Thanksgiving day what prac-
teal gain they have made.
The vote to resume coal mining was
a unanimous one and was reached
only after a warm debate. The prin-
cipal objection to accepting the arbi-
tration proposition was that no pro-
vision was contained in the scheme to
take care of those men who would fail
to get back their old positions or
would be unable to get any work at
all. The engineers and pumpmen get
better pay than other classes of mine
workers, and they did not wish to run
the risk of losing altogether their old
places and be compelled to dig coal
for a living.
A few moments before adjournment,
however, partial solution was
reached when a delegate in the far
thest corner of the hall moved that
the problem be placed in the bonds Of
the three executive boards for solu-
ton, and his suggestion was adopted.
The principal speech of the day was
made by National Secretary-Treasurer
w. B. Wilson, who practically spoke
for President Mitchell and the nation
al organization. In strong argument
he counselled the men to accept arbi-
tration, the very plan the strikers
themselves had offered, return to
work and trust to the presidents
tribunal to do them justice.
The question of taking care of all
men who fail to get work will be Sc
rious one for the union. There is no
doubt the executive boards will take
care of the engineers, firemen and
pumpmen, but there will be thousands
of other classes Of mineworkers who
will have to be looked after. In some
places hundreds will not be able to set
work for weeks, and in other local.
ties, where the mines are in very bad
condition, there will be no employ
ment for many workmen for some
months.
After Mr.. Mitchell had notified
President Roosevelt of the action of
the convention and had received a re-
ply to the effect that the commission
would meet in Washington on Friday
he sent out the official announcement
through the press to the strikers that
the strike was off. 1t was addressed
to all miners and mineworkers in the
anthracite region, and was as follows:
"You are hereby officially notified
that it was unanimously decided today
by the delegates attending the special
should report for work Thursday
morning, Oct. 90, and that the issues
which eliminated in the strike should
be referred for adjustment to the com.
mission appointed by the president of
the United States.
I'VE are authorized by the execu-
tive officers of districts /, and 9 to
caution all those who resume work to
exercise more than usual care in or
der that accidents to life and limb may
be averted. Owing to the condition of
the mines after an idleness of five
months, there will be great danger
when work is resumed. We are
prompted to offer this advice by the
fact that at the close Of the strike,
two years ago, many more accidents
and deaths occurred than take place
when the mines are operating regu-
larly.
JOHN MITCHELL,
President United Mineworkers.