The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-10-22
MINERS HAVE ACCEPTED
THE ARBITRATION PLAN
By an Unanimous Vote the Delegates to the
WlIkesbane Convention Declared Strike OFF,
The Commission Has Been Called Meet Friday and Will Prob
ably Be in Session Many Weeks.

U1ILKEsBARRE. Pa. oct. 2i.-With
w a shout that fairly shook the
convention building. the repre-
sentatlves OF the $4,000 mine workers,
who have been on strike since last
May officially declared on at noon to-
day the greatest contest ever made be-
tween capital and labor and placed all
the questions involved IN the struggle
IN the hands OF the arbitration com
mission appointed by the president OF
the United States. When the news was
flashed 10 the towns and villages down
in the valleys and on the mountains
OF the coal regions the inhabitants
heaved a sigh OF relief. Many days
have gone by since such welcome news
was received. Everywhere there was
rejoicing, and in many places the end
OF the strike was the signal for im-
promptu town celebrations. The an
thracite coal region, from rs largest
y-Scranton-down TO the lowliest
coal patch. has suffered by the conflict,
and every one now looks for better
times
A Question For the Future.
While the large army OF mine work.
ers and their families, numbering APP
proximately half a million persons, are
grateful that work is to be resumed
on Thursday. the strikers have stiil 20
learn what their reward viii be. Presl-
dent Roosevelt having taken prompt
action in calling the arbitrators to-
gether for their first meeting on Fri
day, the miners hope they viii know
by Thanksgiving day what practical
gain they have made. The vote TO re-
sumo coal mining was an unanimous
one, and was reached only after a
warm debate.
The principal objection to accepting
the arbitration proposition was that
no provision was contained in the
scheme to take care of those men who
would fail 20 get back their old posi-
tons or would be unable 10 get any
work NJ all. The engineers and pump
men get better pay than other classes
Of mine workers. and they did not wish
TO run the risk of losing altogether
their old places and being compelled
10 dig coal for a living. This ques-
ton came up yesterday, and was ar
gued right up to the time the vote was
taken.
Partial Solution.
No one had "A definite plan TO Offer
20 overcome the objection, and the re-
port of the committee on resolutions
recommending that the strike be de-
clared OF ard that all issues be placed
In the hands OF the arbitration COM
mission for decision, was adopted with
81. A
moments before adjournment, how
ever. a partial solution was reached
when a delegate In the furthermosi
corner OF the hail moved that tho
problem be placed in the hands OF the
executive board for solution, and his
suggestion was adopted.
The principal speech OF the day was
made by National Secretary
Wilson, who practically spoke fol
President Mitchell and the national or
ganiZatlon. In a strong argument ID
counseled the men 10 accept arbitra'
ton, the very plan the strikers them
selves had offered, return 20 work and
trust 20 the presidents tribunal to d,
them justice.
The question Of taking care Of al
men who will fail 10 get work imme
diateiy viii be a serious one for th'
nnlon. There is no doubt that the eS
ecuuVe boards viii take care OF I'M
engineers. hFemen and pumpmen, bu
there Viii be thousands OF other classes
Of mine workers who viii have 10 b'
looked efter. In some places men vii
not be able 10 get work for weeks, an'
in other localities where the mines ar
in very bad condition there Will b.
no employment for many workmen 70
some months
Aid Will Be Needed.
Now that the strike Is over. the vol
ume Of relief money viii decrease, ant
the local unions viii be compelled q
call upOn the national organization 70
assistance when The money in ham
runs out. With the clOse Of the grea
conflict win also end, in a few days
probably with the passing Of this week
the assessment now being levied upo
all bitumlnous mine workers affiliated
with the union. The officials who car
10 talk of the situation feel c0nhden
that the national body viii come I
the assistance and help all those VIII
stood 0ut during the suspension.
Hundreds Of men. needed 20 repal
the mines and otherwise place then
IN condition for operation VIII be a
work tomorrow morning the conven
lion having decided that this was i'm
perative i'm order 10 get the men a
work quickly and satisfy the c0un
try's demand for coal All the local
VIII hold meetings tomorrow. at whic
Instructions win be given the member
regarding their application for work.
Many Congratulations.
President Mitchell received man
congratulatory kilograms from all owe
the country after the news spread tha
the strike was ended. ON his retur
20 headquarters he was asked for a
expression OF his views on the actio
Df the convention and In reply he said
Il ana well pleased with the actio
OF the anthracite mine workers IN ID
Gliding 20 submit The issues which GU
minated In the strike 10 the commits
Flon selected by the president Of Oh
United States.
"The strike itself has demonstrate
the power and dignity OF labor. Cor
EcIVatiye. intelligent trade unionslsl
has received an impetus. the effect
which cannot be measured. / earnestl
hope and firmly believe that both lab6
and capital have learned lessons rroi
the miners strike which viii enab
lncm 70 adopt peaeeAui' Hliti'illN az
business methods OF adjusting was
differences In the future"
After Mr.. Mitchell had notified Pres
leut Roosevelt of the action OF q
convention and had received a reply
The effect that the commission woul
meet in Washington on Friday he sci
out the official announcement thr0ug
the press 20 the strikers, that the strih
was oft
IL was addressed 20 all miners an
mine workers in the anthracite regio
and was as follows:
Odicial Announcement.
you are hereby officially notifiC
that Il was unanimously decided tOda
by the delegates attending the speci.
convention that all mine workel
zhor,fF ..sr.,..t fn. tt-ortr Thursday rnorf