Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-22
COAL STRIKE IS OFF
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PACED

! H. Watkins, Bishop j. L. spa!ding, with
/ Carroll d. Wright as recorder. These
| names are accepted by the operator and
1 now earnestly ask and urge that the
miners do lkewise-accept this commits
| sion 1t is matter of vital concern 70
all cur people. and more PARTICULARS, to
| those in our great cities who are least
well off, that the mining Of coal should be
| resumed without moment S unnecessary
| DELAY
I'VE have decided to accept the propo-
! sition therein embodied and submit all
| questions at issue between the opera
! tors and mine workers to the anthracite
| coal region for adjustment to the COM
| mission which have been named In
| pursuance of that decision we shall re-
port for work on Thursday morning Oct
| 23, in the positions and working places
| occupied by rs prior to the Inauguration
Of the strike, We have authorized John
F. Mitchell. president OF the Union Mine
Workers of America, with such assis-
lance as he may select, to represent US in
all hearings before the commission
(Signed) JOHN MITCHELL,
Chairman of committee
wv T. Wilson.
"Secretary of convention
There were cries for the previous ques-
ton, but President Mitchell stopped this
by announcing that every man would be
given a chance to speak and that he
would not entertain Il motion to vote SO
long there was one delegate IN the hall
who wanted ito be heard.
National SecretaryTreasurer ". 3.
Wilson was recognized by the chair. He
made a strong speech for the acceptance
of the proposition. He said the miners
To 1rnTf r-ft hot
now that he coal operators have offered
arbitra ton. the miners were bound to
agree These men who feared that they
might not get ba ok their positions he put
the question how they knew they would
nor be taken back. He said they were
only anticipating it. He felt sure that no
competent man need fear the result. He
closed by paying a tribute to all those
who have helped the miners.
The debate on reinstatement was I'M
mediately resumed. One delegate strenu-
ouslv objected to the adoption of the
resolutions because no provision is made
in them for the men who may fail to set
work. The other side of the question was
taken ND by delegate from the Panther
Greek Valley. He said:
'Let US go back; we Will all get work
in the end
The delera tes, in brief speeches. took
earnestness Those opposed to the propo-
sition wanted specific assurances that
they would be taken care Of. During the
debate three speeches were made in for
eign languages-Slavonic. Polish and
lithuanian The three foreign-speaking
delegates favored the acceptance of the
propositions A Slav delegate wanted to
know what wages the men would receive
if they go to work Thursday, which
created laughter. He was informed that
the question would be placed in the hands
O.: the commission.
The Italian delegates also wanted the
proposition explained to them, which was
done by an italian speaker When he had
completed his explanation, a motion was
Immediately made to close debate. Be
fore the motion was put, MI. Mitchell, in
answer to query, announced that he had
a telegram from the President of the
United States that he would call a meet
ing OF the commission as soon as the con-
vention took favorable action. This was
received with cheers.
President Mitchell gave it as his opin-
ion that the commission would make its
report in about one month He then put
the question on the adoption of the report.
after a motion 10 close debate had been
adopted and asked in a short speech that
the vote be unanimous. There was one
was officially off The delegates arose
and creered for fully minute. President
Mitchell came in for share Of the ap-
plausc.
When order was restored, resolutions
were adopted thanking all organizations
and individuals for the assistance they
had rendered the Mine Workers in the
strike
A resolution was also adopted recon-
r,r1o. = hot mr.
person under twenty-one years be en-
ployed in or about the mines for more
than eight hours a day. Another i'm
portant actin was the adoption OF a
resolution that all men who are needed to
put the mines in condition can return to
work at once. This applies more particu-
larly to the engineers, fremen and pump
men.
The engineers made another plea that
something be done in the way Of taking
care Of the men who fail 10 find work.
1t was decided that this question be left
in the hands of the executive boards of
the three districts.
Envelopes addressed to President
Mitchell at Wilkesbarre were distributed
among the delegates with instructions
that all pay envelopes. due bills, state
ments of wages and anything that may
Aelp the miners in their case before the
arbitration commission be sent to him.
Rev. j. ]. Curran, of Wilkesbarre, made
few remarks to the miners, and con-
graduated them on the outcome of the
strike
There being no business before the con-
vention a delegate arose and suggested
that before adjourning the delegates
should sing, My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
just show that we are law-abiding
citizens. This was done and the mine
workers convention came to an end with
three cheers for John Mitchell.
PRESIDENT HEARS THE NEWS.