The Irish standard., 1902-10-25
VOTE TO END STRIKE.
Action of the Miners Convention Is
Unanimous.
President Roosevelts Plan of Arbi-
trattOn Accepted nnL Work Will
BE Resumed at Once-COmmIx.
sion to Meet on Friday,

l
| sion to Meet ON Friday.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 22-With a
shout that fairly shook the convention
building the repres entatives of the
141 900 mine workers. who have been
on strike since last May, officially de-
clared Off at noon Tuesday the great
est contest ever waged between cap
ital and labor, and placed all the ques-
lions involved in the struggle into the
hands of the arbitration commission
appointed by the president of the Uni
ted States. When the news was
flashed to the towns and villages
down in the valleys and on the noun
talns of the coal regions the strike
affected inhabitants heaved sigh of
relief. Many days have gone by since
more welcome news was received.
Everywhere there was rejoicing, and
III many places the end of the strike
was the signal for impromptu cele-
brations. The anthracite coal regions,
from its largest ity-Scran,on-
down to the lowliest coal patch, has
suffered by the conflict. and everyone
now looks for better times.
While the large army of mine work.
ers and their families. numbering ap-
proXimately a half million persons,
are grateful that work is to be re-
sumed on Thursday, the strikers have
still to learn what their reward will
be. President Roosevelt having talk
en- prompt action in calling the arbi-
traitors together for their first meet
ing on Friday, the miners hope they
Will know by Thanksgiving day what
practical gain they have made.
Vote Was Unanimous
Ihe vote to resume coal mining was
an unanimous one, and WAS reached
only after Il warm debate. The prin-
cipal objection to accepting the arbi-
tmtion proposition was that no pro-
vision was contained in the scheme
to take care of those men who would
fail to get back their old positions or
would be able to get any work at all.
The engineers and pnmpmcn get bet
ter pay than other classes of mine
workers, and they did not wish to run
the risk of losing altogether their old
places and be compelled to dig coal
for Il living. This question came up
Monday, and was argued right up 10
the time the vote was taken. No one
had definite plan to offer to over
come the objection. and the report of
the committee on resolutions. recom-
mending that tie strike be declared
off and hat all issues be placed in the
hands of the arbitration for decision,
was adopted without the question be-
ing settled. A few moments before
adjournment, however, Il partial so,,-
ton was reached when Il delegate in
he farthcst corner of he hall moved
that the problem be placed in the
hands of the executive boards for So
luton. and his suggestion was
adopted.
officially Announced.
After Mr.. Mitchell had titled Presi-
dent Roosevelt of the action of the
convention and had received reply to
the effect that the commission would
meet in Washington on Friday he sent
out the official through
the press to the strikers that the strike
was off. 1t was addressed to all min
ers and mine workers in the anthra.
cite region and was as follows:
"You are hereby officially notified
that it was unanimously decided to-day
by the delegates attending the special
| convention that all mine workers
should report for work Thursday
morning, October 20, and that the is
sues which eliminated in the strike
should be referred for adjust ment to
the commission appointed by the presi-
dent Of the United States.
eve are authorized by the executive
officers of districts I, 7and to caution
all those who resume work to exercise
more than usual care in order that nc-
cidents to life and limbs may be avert
ed. Owing to the condition of the
mines after an idlencss Of five months
there will be great danger when work
is resumed. We are prompted to offer
this advice by the fact at the close of
the strike two years ago many more
accidents and deaths occurred than
take place when the mines are operat-
ing regularly.
JOHN MITCHELL.
president United Mine Workers Of Amer
lea.
wv. b. WILSON. Secretary Treasurer"
To Assemble Friday,
Washington, Oct. 22.--The communi.
cation to President Roosevelt, adopt
ed by the Wilkesbarre convention
Tuesday, reached the president in the
afternoon by wire.
President Roosevelt Immediately d.
rected that the members of the arbi-
tration commission be summoned to
meet here ON Friday, and the following
dispatch was sent to Mr.. Mitchell:
white House, Oct. 21.-Mr. John
Mitchell, Chairman of Convention,
Wilkesbarre, Pa: Upon receipt of your
telegram of this date the president
summoned the commission to meet
here on Friday, the Gath inst, at ten
q. m.
(Signed) George B. Cortelyou,