Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-10-20
United Mine
Workers Meet
Some Seven Hundred Delegates In Convention Impression
IS That MicheH'S Desires WW PreyaN-Some OBJ
ect to Calling Strike Off TIN Commission Acts.

MlTCHELLS ADDRESS.
"Gentlemen-In opening this conven-
ton for the transaction OF business !
take pleasure 10 extending warm greet
ings and welcome TO the accredited
representatives Of 10000 men and boys
whose heroic struggles for living wages
ana American conditions Of employ
ment has won the admiration Of the
whole civilized world Language Is IN
adequate TO express the sense of pride
feel IN you and those you represent.
1T Is not my purpose to review the
progress Of the strike or even TO emu
merate the important events which
have now passed into history. Imprint
ed lndellbly on the hearts of our
people are the memories Of sufferings
aud hardships which have been and
are being endured,
For five long months the eyes OF the
nation have been conferred upon your
actllns and IL is pleasure 20 say that
the great heart Of the American people
throbbed In sympathy with you IL u.s.,
Of course, a source Of deep regret that
the millions Of unpaid workmen Of our
great cities should be the most acute
sufferers by reason Of this contest be-
tween ourselves and our employers.
But strange az II may appear hum
dreds upon hundreds of those who suf-
fered most from lack Of fuel sent words
OF commentator and encouragement
70 us and in many instances declared
that they would endure any prlyatlon
In order that the miners and their fam
HES might secure q sufficient wage TO
enable them to enjoy a little happiness
and sunshine Instead Of the gloom and
sadness which has been their lot for
many years
"Jhe debt OF gratitude we owe our
fellow workers In this and other lands,
the debt Of gratitude we owe a generous
public and a friendly press who have
supported and sustained us during this
memorable strike can never be ade-
quately repaid.
No MALICE TOWARD OPPONENTS.
For our opponents we entertain no
feeling Of malice. While they have
maligued our characters, impugned our
motives. and sought the victory by
methods which We should scOrn TO use,
vet on this day we have secured an
ave,ne Of redress, on this day when
the realization Of our hopes and ambl-
| tlo. seems near, when the prospect OF
IA bTlghter and happier future seems
assured. we should hold out 70 them the
hand OF friendship and ask them e
Join us IN providing for such business
relations as shall for all time establish
peace and tranquility In the coal fields.
GRAVE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER.
"TLe grave question which you have
been called upon TO consider today de-
mands and must receive your most
careful thought. Personally ] should
have preferred an adjustment Of the
difficulties existing In the anthracite
field by conference with the anthracite
mine owners and without the lnterven-
ton of agencies not directly involved,
hut recognize the fact that relations
between ourselves and the operators
have become go strained as to render
direct negotiation AT this time impos-
sihle II the consequences OF this strike
affected only the interests Of the opera
tors and mine workers there would be
less reason for the Intervention OF a
third party. but the fact that the coal
famine was upon the people OF eastern
and seabOard states and threatened to
become a national calamity, justiles
the action OF the chief executive Of our
nation in his earnest effort to bring
about an early resumption OF mining,
THE proposition submitted for your
consideration may have Objectionable
features and IN It's detail may not meet
with the unanimous approval Of our
people hut II is UNNECESSARILY better
as now presented than when originally
offered by the representatives Of the
coal corporations.
VALUE OF PROMPT ACCEPTANCE.
81 am firm In my conviction that the
prompt acceptance OF this proposal will
secure 20 the anthracite mine workers
and those dependent upon them
greater measure Of justice than they
could attain by continuing the conflict;
! believe the prompt acceptance Of this
proposition will secure 10 the mine
workers a greater degree Of justice than
they have enjoyed On the past.
"The people Of our country await
with anxious expectancy the result OF
your action today: the eyes Of the ma
ton are centered upon you. and friends
and foes alike demand the submission
Of issues involved in this strike to the
tribunal named by the president Of the
United States.
RECOGNIZES DESCENDANT ELE-
MENTS.
That there are dlscordant elements
In this convention. that there are dis
la. 4 E.sTH
aware but, gentlemen. with an the
earnestness Of which I am possessed,
urge that you give your approval to the
action Of your executive officers who
have recommended acceptance OF the
proposition that the strike be declared
Off and all men are then 10 return 10
work in the positions and working
places occupied by them prior 20 the
Of the strike and that all
questions at issue be submitted for adj
justment 10 the tribunal selected by the
president Of the United States"
President Mitchel's speech was con-
Guided at 1858. Mr.. Mitchelrs state
nents In his speech fayorlng accept
ance OF the arbitration did not elicit
great applause but later his words II
urge acceptance and that the strike he
declared on with the provision that all
men return 20 their former positions"
drew out great applause.
The convention decided 10 admit
newspaper correspondents to the exec
cutiye session. IL was moved immedi-
ately after Mr. Mitchell ended his
speech that the recommendations OF
his speech 10 declare on The strike BE-
This Immediately met with
the expected opposition % the engi-
neers. who said they ala not oppose
President Mitchells recommendation
but wanted very careful consideration.
A WARM DEBATE.
A warm debate followed the first note
Of objection to the immediate adoption
of the resolutions 20 declare Of the
strike. In the course of this debate
motion was made 10 adjourn because
persons not delegates we're present a