Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-22
MINERS CONVENTION.

Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 21.-With the
prospect that Pres. ROosevelt's pro-
posal to arbitrate would be accepted
by good majority, the convention of
the United Mine Workers resumed it's
work. Tuesday, in the Nesbitt theatre.
While q final vote of the delegates on
the motion before them at adjourn
ment, MOnday-the acceptance of the
settlement proposal embodied in Pres.
Mitchell's speech-may possibly be
reached early in the afternoon. it is
believed that the delegates OF the
steam men who are opposing any re-
sumption of work unless they get their
places back at once with the rest of the
strikers. have not had their full say
md may delay the final vote. Nor have
the leaders. except Mr.. Mitchell, spoken
o anv extent. For this reason the en-
tire first session, Tuesday, may be de-
roted to speeches in which the final
polling of the delegates will proceed
during the latter part of the afternoon.
A formal announcement to the public
prepared, Monday night, by the reso-
utions committee which included Mr..
Mitchell and other high officers of the
mine workers. awaits the result of the
voting on Pres. Roosevelt's proposal.
There is almost no doubt that this an
nouncement anticipates settlement of
the strike and that among other things
t will thank the public for its aid in
The struggle.
1t was evident when the delegates
assembled. Tuesday. that they were in
| most hopeful mood. Some said that
he arbitration commission would be
If even more benefit to future genera
ions in the coal fields than the pres
mt: and anyhow it would put before
he pubic the whole situation in detail
is between the miners and operators
n q fair and thorough manner.
In reading the local morning papers
miners We're confronted with the adver-
sisements of merchants announcing
that the strike was settled. The oppo-
sition of the steam men is neither be-
Titled nor exaggerated by Mr.. Mitch
ILL., He simply maintains that this
element of dissatisfaction will be set
tied satisfactorily. A delegate said,
Tuesday, that when it comes to voting
against the earnest recommendations
IF the leaders, few, if any, engineers
will vote against the arbitration propo-
sition. though they may not vote at all.
An Official of the mine workers supple
nented this statement by saying:
YES. and if the big majority for
,nding the strike has been recorded,
he vote will be made unanimous,
though only a ajority vote is needed"
The committee on resolutions held a
final meeting before the convention as
sembled. at which the resolutions to be
presented to the convention were re-
vised and finally passed upon. They
will not be given out until formally
to the delegates.
There was a. good deal said among
the assembling delegates about the
late for returning to work. Thursday
GEMS to be the day most talked of for
he resumption. though there are dele
rates who want to start in. "Wednesday
morning. This. however. is deemed |
mpracticable because it would cause !
confusion.
The delegates were prompt in getting |
Town to work. As soon as Pres. Mitch |
ell arrived in the hall, at 1880 A. NJ. he |
called the convention to order. The
committee on resolutions was called on
for its report but was not ready to re- |
spond.
Inc ucDdlc VII ~ -
men in their former positions was I'M |
resumed. The question be-
fore the committee was motion TO
accept the recommends tons of the Off
cers to call off the strike and submit all
questions at issue to the arbitration I
commission. A delegate from the Ha-
selton region asked how the individual
stood on the arbitration plan.
He called attention to the fact that the
offer made by the railroad
presidents did not contain the name OF
John Markle or the name Of any otner
Individual concern In reply Mr.. Mitch
al said that while no individual opera
tors had signed the plan he did not I'M
ierstand that they were against 1t.
An impassioned speech by another
delegate from the Wyoming valley fol-
owed. He asked the men to stop talk
ne about all getting back to work. He
noned the convention would take a vote
~ noon and end the strike. In all vic
to-ious wars men have fallen and there
ire some to fall in this one. The de-
nate was continued for Is minutes
CONTINUED on page 50 /