Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-23
THE COAL STRIKE
IS DECLARED OFF

ly ended, the convention OF mine work
ers, in session at Wilkesbarre, having
accepted the proposition for arbitra-
tion and decided to return to work
this morning. There was not
vote to the resolution. The
announcement of it's passage was greet
ed with cheering and enthusiastic APP
plause.
The convention began its second days
session at 1905 O'Clock and forty
minutes later National Secretary Will
son and the committee on resolutions
entered the hall to submit their re-
port. Deep silence prevailed through
out the theatre while Mr.. Wilson was
reading the recommendations of the
committee. The resolution, which
was prepared in the nature of a tele-
gram to President Roosevelt, was as
follows:
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 2l, 1902.
hon. lneOuOT6 hOOsSNcluI IcSluChb
of the United States, Washington,
D. G.
Dear Sir: We, the representatives
of the employees of the various coal
companies engaged in operating mines
in the anthracite coal fields of Penn
sylvania, in convention assembled,
having under constellation your tele-
gram of October 10. 1902. addressed to
John Mitchell, President of the United
Mine Workers of America, which
reads as follows:
Il have appointed as commissioners
Brigadier General John Nj. Wilson,
Mr.. E. W. Parker, Judge George Gray,
Mr.. L. E. CLARK, Mr.. Thomas H.
Watkins and Bishop John l.. Spauld
ing, with Hon Carroll ID. Wright, as
recorder. These names are accepted
by the operators and | now most earn
estly ask and urge that the miners
likewise accept this commission. 1t
is matter of vital concern to all our
people, and especially to those III our
great cities who are least we'll off,
that the mining of coal should be re-
sumed without days unnecessary de
lay" have decided to accept the pro
position therein embodied and submit
all the questions at issue between the
operators and mine workers of the an
thracite coal region for adjustment to
the commission which you have nam
ed.
In pursuance of that decision we
shall report for work on Thursday
morning, October 23rd, in the positions
and working places occupied by US
prior to the Inauguration of the strike.
We have authorized John Mitchell,
President of the United Mine Work
ers' of America, with such assistants
as he may select, to represent US in all
hearings before the commission.
JOHN MITCHELL,
Chairman of Convention.
w. Is. NlLSON,
Secretary of Convention.
Previous to the entrance OF the com
mittee there was considerable dis
cussion among the delegates on the re.
turning to work and whether or not
the strikers would get their old places.
Applause greeted the statement OF 9
delegate that the Kingston Coal Com,
pany would take back all its men
without discrimination. During the
discussion the committee came in.
There were cries of question show
ing that the delegates were anxious tC
settle the matter.
President Mitchell, declared, how
ever, that until the last man was heard
the vote would not be taken. At this
point Secretary Wilson took occasion
to make a speech in favor OF adopting
the recommendations He said that
the miners had won substantial vic
tory and that their original demand
for arbitration had been acceded to.
He further said:
You have, by your conduct of this
strike, won the respect and confidence
of the American people. If you turn
down this proposition, made by the
President of the United States, do you
think you can retain the confidence OF
the people who have helped you: You
have won the victory and you should
accept it. "
Speeches III explanation of this set.
tlement proposition were made i'll the
Lithuanian, Slavish and Polish Ian
guages While they were i'll progress
the Slavish speaker was interrupted by
delegate, and the speaker TUNED tC
Mr. Mitchell and said
He wants to know how much he
get when he go back to work. | say
don't know; you don't know until ar
bitration He sit down.
The debate closed at II :56 O'Clock
and President Mitchell made an ad
dress. He said it was apparent what
the convention was going to do and he
reminded the men that this strike had
strengthened the cause of labor. He
asked that the achievement be marked
by the unanimous adoption of the set.
Element proposition. He then put the
question and the convention with one
loud aye, and not a dissenting vote,
accepted the resolution as presented
by the committee. Cheers were given
after the acclamation vote was taken
Then the delegates voted to return tc
work tomorrow morning. Several
minor resolutions on the eight hour
day question and the line of work foI
investigation by the arbitration com.
mission were also adopted.
President Mitchell gave out the fol
lowing statement in reference to the
convention:
Il am well pleased with the action
of the anthracite Mine Workers in de