The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-10-24

OF Differences TO CommlS-
sion-Strike Commission Has Been
Called to Meet This Week.
Wilkesbarre, Oct. 22.-With a shout
that fairly shook the convention build
ing, the report was received that 147,-
600 mine workers who had been on
strike since last May, had officially de-
clared off at moor today the greatest
contest ever waged between capital and
labor, and placed all questions involv-
ed in the struggle into the hands of
the arbitration commission appointed
by President Roosevelt. When the
news was sen to the towns and vii
lagos down in the valleys and on the
mountains of the coal regions the strike
affected, the inhabitants breathed a
sigh of relief. Everywhere there was
rejoicing and in many places the end
of the strike was the signal for i'm
promptu town celebrations. While the
large family of mine workers II their
families, numbering approximately half
a million persons are grateful work is
to be resumed Thursday, the strikers
have still to learn what their reward
will be. President Roosevelt having
taken prompt action in calling the ar
bitrators together for their first meet
ing Friday. the miners hope they will
know by Thanksgiving day what prac-
teal gain they have made.
The vote to resume mining was unan-
imous and was reached only after a
warm debate. The principal objection
to accepting arbitration was that no
provision was contained in the scheme
to take care of those who would fail
to get back their positions or would be
unable to get any work at all. Engi-
neers and pumpmen get better pay
than other classes of mine workers and
they did not wish to run the risk of
losing altogether their places and be
compelled to dig coal for a living. This
question came up yesterday n was
argued up to the time q vote was talk
en-. Nc one had any definite plan to
offer to overcome the objection, an
the report of the committee on resolr-
lions recommending the strike be de-
clared off and that all issues be placed
in the hands of the arbitration COM
mission for decision was adopted with
out the question being settled. A few
moments before adjournment, how
ever, a partial solution was reached
when a delegate moved the problem be
placed in the hands of the executive
boards for solution, and his suggestion
was adopted.
The principal speech of the day was
made by National Secretary-Treasurer
Wilson, who practically spoke for
Mitchell and the National organization.
In a strong argument he counselled the
men to accept arbitration, the very
plan the strikers themselves had offer
ed, return to work and trust to the
rrociIor+'c trihInE1 tn do than iI1c-
tice.
The question of taking care of all
men who fail to get work Immediately
will be a serious n for the union.
There is no doubt the executive boards
will take care of the engineers. firemen
and pumpmen, but there will be thou
sands of other classes of mine workers
who have to be looked after. In some
places hundreds will not be able to get
work for weeks, and in other localities
where the mines are in very bad condi-
ton, there will be no employment for
many workmen for some months. Now
that the strike is yer the volume of
relief money will decrease and local
unions will be compelled to call upon
national organizations for assistance
when the money now in their hands
runs out. With the close of the great
conflict will also end, probably this
week, the assessments now being lev
led on all bituminous mine workers af-
filiated with the union. Officials who
care to talk of the situation feel con
fident that the national body will come
to their assistance and help all who
stood out during the suspension.
Hundreds of men needed to repair
mines and otherwise place them in o n
dition for operation will be at work to-
morrow morning, the convention hav-
ing decided this imperative in order to
get the men at work quickly and salts
fly the cOuntry'S demand for coal. All
locals will hold meetings tomorrow at
which instruction will be given men,
bers regarding their applications for
work. Mitchell received many con-
graduating kilograms from all over the
country after the news spread that the
strike had ended.
On his returning to headquarters he
was askeu for an expression of his
views on the action of the convention
and in reply said: Il am well pleased
with the action of the mine workers in
deciding to submit the issues to the
commission selected by the president
of the United States. The strike itseli
has demonstrated the power and digni.
ty of labor. Conservative, intelligent
trade unionism has received an adj,
vancement the effect of which cannot
be measured. | earnestly hope ant
firmly believe that both labor and cap
ital have learned lessons from the
miners strike which will enable then
to keep peaceful, humane and business
methods of adjusting wage difference!
in the future.
After Mitchell had notified Presiden.
Roosevelt of the action of the CONVEX
ton and received a reply to the effec
that the commission would meet il
Washington Friday he sent an officia
announcement to the strikers that tn
strike was off and advising them to re
port for work Thursday morning. The
notice caused the miners to eXercis,
more than usual care in order to avoiC
accidents, as the present condition o
the mines are such there will be grea
danger when work is resumed.
y AIffaha11 hoe not raoIa aA,, rro ,-A