The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-21
Engineers, Firemen, Pump
men a Stumbling Block.
FEAR LOSS OF POSITIONS
The Miners Will Probably Vote on Ending the
Strike Today and an Overwhelming
Majority for it is Practically
Assured.
(By the Associated Press.)


Wilkesbarre. Pa, Oct. 2O.-The anxi
ously awaited convention of the $4,000
striking miners met today, but did not
reach a vote On the proposed plan of
settlement. 1t is expected to do so to-
morrow.
There were 662 delegates present in the
Nesbtt Theatre, where the convention
was held and they were empowered by
their local unions to cast SGT votes for
or against President Roosevelts pro-
posed plan of arbitration. The great ma
jority of the delegates were uninstructed,
the few who were, being engineers, fire.
men and pumpmen who fear that the
5000 strikers of those classes may not
get back their old places now held by
non union men. This question of the
engineers, firemen and pumpmen proved
the only stumbling block in the way OF
almost immediate adoption of the Presi-
dents plan, which carries with it de-
claring the strike off, and a general re-
sumption of work through the II mile
strip of the hard coal region. At one time
today it seemed certain that the conven-
tion was about to adopt the recommended
tion of President Mitchell to end the
strike. but the steam mems plea was too
earnest and the final vote went over until
tomorrow when it is next to certain the
vote to declare the strike off will show
a big majority for it. The leaders of the
strikers, except Mr.. Mitchell, were hardly
heard at all in the convention today, the
anxious engineers being allowed to give
full expression to their feelings. But to-
morrow, it is predicted, the leaders will
be heard. and one of them, a high dis
tGset officer. said today there would not
Fbe more than fifteen votes recorded
against the plan which the President of
the United States has proposed to them,
and which all the highest officials of the
mine workers in this region earnestly
have recommended
There were two sessions forenoon and
afternoon, today, and the net results as
regards the progress of the convention
towards its great object was a permanent
organization with Mr.. Mitchell in the
chair, his speech laying the Presidents
plan before the del N~atcs, his eloquent
impromptu speech ,Cvocating it's adop-
tion, and the appointment of commit
tee on resolutions. This committee as
Mr.. Mitchell said to the delegates. would
prepare a formal statement to the public
telling fully and carefully why the con-
vention decided to continue the strike if
1t should so decide, and why the strike
was declared off, if that was the out
come of their deliberations.
The question before the convention
when it adjourned for the day. was on
The adoption of the resolution embodied
IN President Mitchelfs opening speech to
call of the strike and leave all ques-
tons TO the Presidents commission The
surprise of the convention today was
the decision to admit newspaper men to
all the sessions, open or executive when
even union miners, eagerly waiting by
the hundreds out in the street, could
not get into the theatre. Twice the news
paper men won victory by big MAORI
ties. First, when on petition from them
ASKING to be allowed to remain motion
10 grant the request was carried: and
later when motion was made to re-
consider the first vote to admit The
pleas which won were that the report
ers represented the people, that public
opinion had helped the strikers and that
the best way to get an accurate report
of this convention of immediate and vast
national Importance was to let the press
Even the suggestion of press commit
tee OF delegates to give the news to the
correspondents was turned down by the
convention.
District President T. D. Nichols of
Scranton. called the convention into ses-
sion at 1920 twenty minutes after the
time set for its beginning. On account
Of pressure of business at strike head
quarters, President Mitchell was unable
to be present until the afternoon ses-
sion.
The morning session was taken up with
reports on credentials and adjourned at
Las until p. m.
The afternoon session began at 2:10
o'clock with only the accredited delegates
and small number of newspaper men
present. The proceedings for a while
moved rapidly. Without any speech
making Mr. Mitchell was elected perma-
nent chairman and National Secretary
Treasurer W. B. Wilson was selected as
the permanent secretary. Just as the
cheering for the election of the two Off
cials was ended. President Mitchell
walked on the stage. The instant the
delegates saw him, they rose en- masse
and cheered their leader for several
minutes.
The first question to come up was that
of admitting reporters, and when this
had been settled, the strike leader began
reading his carefully prepared opening
address. Mr.. Mitchell said in part
Personally, l should have preferred
an adjustment of the difficulties existing
in the anthracite field by conference with
the anthracite mine owners and without
the Intervention of agencies not directly