The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-10-23
MINERS IN CONVENTION.
Delegates Assemble In WiIkesbarre to
Number Of 662-Chief Mitchell
Explains Object of Gathering.

The anxiously awaited convention
of the $4,000 striking miners met at
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Monday, but did not
reach a vote on the proposed plan of
settlement.
There were 662 delegates present
in the Nesbitt theatre, where the con-
vtntion was held. and they were en-
powered by their local unions to cast
SGT votes for or against President
Roosevelt's proposed plan Of arbitra-
ton. The great majority of the dele
gates were uninstructed, the few who
were being engineers, fremcn and
pumpmen, who fear that the 5000
strikers of those classes may not get
back their places now held By non
union men. This question of the en-
gineers, iremen and pumpmen proved
the only stumbling block in the way
of almost immediate adoption CT the
presidents plan. which carries with
Il declaring the strike off and gen
eral resumption of work through the
175-mile strip Of the hard coal mining
region
Big Majority for Arbitration.
At one time during the day it seem
ed certain that the convention was
about to ADOPT the recommendation OF
President Mitchell to end the strike,
but the steam mems plea was too car
nest and the final vote went over until
Tuesday.
President Mitchell addressed the
convention Monday afternoon, stating
the purpose Of the convention and urg-
ing the delegates to accept the aroitra-
ton proposition. In part he said:
"Gentlemen: In opening this con-
vention for the transaction OF business,
l take pleasure in extending warm
greeting and welcome to the accredited
representatives of 10000 men and
boys whose heroic struggle for living
wages and American conditions OF EN-
ployment has won the admiration CT
the whole civilized world. For i've
long months the eyes OF the nalon
have been centered upon your actions.
and it is a pleasure to say that the
great heart of the American people
throbbed in sympathy with it. 1t ls'
of course. a source Of deep regret that
the millions of underpaid workmen
Of our great citiss should be the most
acute sufferers by reason of this con-
test between ourselves and our en-
ployers. But hundreds On hundreds
of those VINO suffered most from lack
of fuel, sent words of commentator
and encouragement to us and In many
instances declared that they would ell
dure many privations in order that the
miners and their families might secure
sufficient wage to enable them TO
enjoy little happiness and sunshine
instead of the gloom and sadness
which has been their lot for many
years.
THE debt of gratitude we owe our
fellow workers in this and othe1
lands, the debt Of gratitude We owe
a generous public and friendly press
who have supported and sustained us
during this memorable strike, can nev'
er be adequately repaid
Between the com mbination of capital
on the one hand and the organization
of labor on the other. there should be
and need be no irreconcilable connlcI'
each Is a factor in the economic Ge-
yelopment Of our civilization and the
application Of business judgment and
plain common sense by each would en-
able them to work in harmony. Nhlle
the interests of labor and capital are
not by any means Identical, they are
nevertheless reciprocal. Each is more
or less dependent on the other ana un-
der our form of government one can
not prosper without the other Iha1
this fundamental principle will be rec
ognized by the tribunal selected by
the president of the United Sta'es'
have no reason to doubt.
"The grave question which you have
been called upon to consider today oe-
mands and must receive your most
careful thought. Personally, l shoalo
have preferred an adjustment OF the
difficulties existing in the anthracite
coal fields by conference with the an
thracite coal mine owners and without
the intervention of agencies not direct
" involved, but l recognize the TACT
that relations between ourselves ana
the operators have become so s1ralneu
as to render direct negotiations at this
time impossible"