The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-21

relations between ourselves and the mine
operators have become so strained as to
render direct negotiation at this time I'M
possible. The fact that~a coal famine
was apon the people OF eastern and sea-
board States and threatened to become
a national calamity justifies the action of
the Chief Evocutive of our Nation in
his earnest effort to bring about an early
resumption of mining.
with all the earnestness of which l
am possessed l urge that you give your
approval to the action of your executive
officers who have recommended accept
ance of the proposition that the strike
be declared off, the men are then to re-
turn to work in the positions and work
ing places occupied by them prior to the
inauguration of the strike and that all
questions at issue be submitted for adj
justment to the tribunal selected by the
President of the United States.'
The address was followed with the
closest attention by the delegates. At
various stages of the reading, Mr..
Mitchell was applauded, but when he
urged the delegates to adopt the recon-
mendations of the executive boards to
call off the strike and 'the men are then
before the strike was inaugurated," tre-
mendous applause greeted the remarks.
The moment he finished, a Wilkesbarre
delegate was on his feet and moved that
the recommendations contained in Presi-
dent Mitchell's address be adopted. If
this had been acted upon at once, the
strike would have been off and the con-
ventions work done, but those in opposi-
fI1oS
wanted to and did debate the matter
until the adjournment after o'clock. A
Panther Creek engineer was the first to
take the floor in opposition TO accepting
the plan until he and his colleagues had
some assurance that they would be re-
instated in their old positions. The COM
panies have said, he continued, that they
will not dismiss the men now employed
by them and place strikers in their posi-
tions A number of other delegates spoke
along the same line and then confusion
resulted over the presence of persons
| who were not delegates.
| President Mitchell Strengthened this
out by requesting outsiders to leave the
hall About half of those present retired.
| The question again reverted to rein
! statement of the men. A dozen speeches
were made for and against the question
! of obtaining some specific assurance that
the men would get back their places if
they returned to work.
Finally delegate arose and asked
President Mitchell to express his views
on the subject. He Immediately respond
ed and made one of the most important
addresses he has been called on to make
during the past five years. The strike
leader, said:
Il desire to inform you that the presi-
dent of your organization has done all
he can to learn the attitude of the COM
panies towards the men who are now on
strike. AS you know the companies re-
fuse direct negotiation with us. Through
Intermediates we have received assur-
ance that the companies are going to
meet the issues fairly, that they are not
disposed to blacklist the men; that they
do not propose to be vindictive; that, as
far as possible, men are to be returned
to their old places. 1t may take some
time before that can be brought about,
and it may be that some few men will
not be restored to their former positions
at ALL When you vote on this PROPOSE
tion. YOU must do it with as full knowl-
/ edge oil the SITUATION as l. Gall BlNe yO'G
"Our pledge to the President of the
United States, in which we notified him
that we would recommend to you re-
sumption of work. we said to him that
he should recommend a return of our
people to their jobs, and if the coal COM
panies refuse to give our men their old
places, if they refuse to treat them fair
ly. we shall carry them to the tribunal
named by the President, and ask that
tribunal to decide that we are entitled
to the work we left when we went on
strike"
His remarks were greeted with ap-
plause Another delegate made q speech
against ending the strike without
definite assurance of reinstatement, and
Mr.. Mitchell was again called upon for
an explanation of the status of the arbi-
| tration plan as it now stands. In re-
| sponse to this request he said:
I'VE have not adopted their proposition,
as they made it, and the proposition
| would never, with my consent, have been
! adopted as they made it, When the coal
companies thought to practically name
| the arbitrators We objected and secured
modification of their proposal. That
modification enabled the President to Sc
| lect men outside of the classes suggested
| by the companies. Organized labor is
represented on the commission. l do not,
| however, assume that the capitalists or
| the trade unionists who are on the COM
mission will permit their special interests
to influence their judgment in making
| their decisions; but organized labor IS
| on that commission and it is there be-
| cause the President of the United States
wanted it there and because we would
not agree to the proposition unless i,
| was there"
| After further debate on both sides, it
/ was decided to let the question go over
until tomorrow morning. A committee
on resolutions was then appointed and at
| 5:1S p. m. they adjourned until 10 o'clock
| tomorrow morning.
| The committee is composed of the fol-
/ lowing delegates and officers of the
union.
| President Mitchell, Secretary Wilson,
District Presidents Nichols, Duffy and
1 Faby; Delegates P. F. O'Hara, of Dun
more. Adams Rescavage. of Plymouth;
John l. Jones, of Plymouth; James Gal
| lagher, of Hazleton William McIlheny,
i Of Goa aI NTottu of LJa1latnn d.