The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-10-21
Vv11LKEsBARRE, Pa. Oct. 2o.-Th

w 'anxiously awaited convention of
the $4,000 striking miners met
today. but did not reach a vote on the
proposed plan of settlement. II is ex-
pected TO do so tomorrow. There were
662 delegates present in ths Nesbitt
theatre, where the convention Was held,
aud they were empowered by their
local unions 10 cast SCI votes for or
against President RooseVelt's proposed
plan of arbitration. The majority Of
the delegates were uninstructed; the
few who were are engineers, firemen
and pumpmen. who fear that the 5000
strikers of those classes may not get
back their old places, now held by nom
union men. This question Of the en-
gineers, fremen and pumpmen proved
the only stumbling block in the way
Of almost immediate adoption Of the
presidents plan. which carries with II
declaring the strike of and general
resumption Of work throughout the
hard coal mine region.
Delayed by Engineers.
At one time today it seemed certain
that the convention was about to adopt
the recommendation Of President
Mitchell 10 end the strike, but TIE
steam mems plea was too earnest and
| the final vote went over until tOmor-
| row, when il is next to certain the vote
to declare the strike OFF will show a
big majority for it. The leaders Of the
| strikers, except Mr. Mitchell. were
| hardly heard at all in the convention
today, the anxious engineers being al
lowed to give full expression 10 their
feelings. But tomorrow. il is predicted,
! the leaders will be heard, and one Of
them, a high district officer. said today
that there would not be more than
fifteen votes recorded against the plan
which the president OF the United
States has proposed 10 them and which
ali the highest officials of the mine
workers in this region earnestly have
recommended.
There were two sessions. forenoon
and afternoon. today. and the net re-
suits as regards the progress Of tht
convention toward its great object were
permanent organization with Mr.
Mitchell in the chair. his speech laying
the presidents plan before the dele
gates, his eloquent impromptu speecf
advocating It's adoption and the sp
pointment Of a comnittee on resoie
lions. This committee, As Mr.. Mitchell
I
formal statement TO the public, telhnl
/ fully and carefully why the convention
decided TO continue the strike, If
should so decide, and why the strik
was declared off. If that was the OUT
come Of their deliberations.
. Press Recognized.
! The question before the convention
> when IL adjourned for the day was Of
= the adoption of the resolution embodie
e in President Mitchelrs opening speec
5 to call of the strike and leave ali ques
tons 70 the presidents commission
e The surprise of the convention toda
] was the decision 10 admit neWspape
e men TO all the sessions, open or execu
: tive. when even union miners eagerl
e waiting by the hundred out in IN
2 street could not get into the theatre
{ Twice the newspaper men Won vie
4 tory by big majorities.
a First. when a petition from theI
: asking TO be allowed 10 remain va
e read and motion TO grant the reque'
was carried: and later. when a motto
S was made to reconsider the first vol
f to admit. The pleas which won Wei
that the reporters represented the PEI
pie. that public opinion had helped n
strikers and that the best way 10 e
an accurate report Of this convention
of immediate and vast national IN
port, was 10 let press representative
there on the spot. Even the suggei
ton of a press committee, delegate
TO give the news to the correspondent
u was turned down by the convention.
. Called to Order.
y District President T. d. Nichols
> Scranton called the convention IN
= session at 1920 o'clock. on account
n pressure of business at strike hea'
: quarters, President Mitchell was un
" HE 10 be present until the aftefno'
p session. The three district secretarie
n John I. Dempsey of Scranton, John
I Gallagher OF Hazleton and Geor
# Hartlein of Shamokin, were appolnt
4 a committee on credentials. The Wo
# of this committee was done in an hOl
i The routine proceedings were foHo"
,f by singing, the suggestion having De
- made that the convention be ente
- tanned for a while by some OF l
- Sweet Welsh singers" of the organ
u cation. A delegate from the Wyomll
- valley caused "a storm of enthuslas
y by singing a song entitled Give Ihr
l. Cheers for Mitchell for the Strike Tn
We Have Won" Songs and she
speeches by other delegates folio"e
and the striking mine workers for I
time being seemed TO have forgott
a, their troubles. At 11:45 adtournme
N was taken until O'Clock in the ate
noon
~ Afternoon Session
to The afternoon session began at 2
n O'Clock. with only the accredited de-
he gates and a small army Of newspal
be men present. The final reports Of {
e credential committee were called
in and they showed a total of 662 de
gates present, authorized to cast
i votes. Without any speechmaki
en- Mr.. Mitchell was elected permane
ha chairman and National SecretaI
"a Treasurer W. B. Wilson was select
~ as the permanent secretary. Just
the cheering for the election OF the [
oficials was ended. President Mitch
walked on the stage. The instant
delegates saw him they rose en- mas
/