Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-10-20
Meet at WiIkesbarre to
Act on Strike Set
tlement.
SING IN ENTHUSIASM
President Mitchell Urp-
eS Acceptance of
Proposition.

Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 2O.-District
President Nichols called the United
Mine Workers convention to order
at 1920 this morning. There were
about 700 delegates present. Previ-
Gus TO the assembling of the conven-
tion the delegates, whose opinions
were sought, felt the convention
would do whatever Mitchell advised.
Secretary Wilson is of the opinion
that the convention will end tomor-
row, and that the men will return TO
work Thursday.
President Mitchell in his address
said in part: 1.-The grave question
which you have cen called upon TO
consider today demands and must re-
ceive your most careful thought. Per-
sonally L should have preferred an adj
justment of the difficulties existing
in the anthracite field by a confer
ence with the anthracite mine own
ers and without the intervention of
agencies not directly involved, but |
recognize the fact that relations be-
tween ourselves and the operators
must have become so strained as to
render direct negotiations at this
time impossible.
The proposition may have objec-
tionable features. and in its detail
may not meet with the unanimous
approval of our people, but it is i'm
measurably better as now presented
than when originally offered by the
representatives of the coal corpora
tions. | am firm in my conviction
that prompt acceptance of this pro-
posal will secure to the anthracite
mine workers and those dependent
upon them u greater measure of jus
tice than they could attain by cOntin-
uing the conflict.
Urges Prompt Acceptance.
Il believe prompt acceptance of
this proposition will secure to the
mine workers a greater degree of JUS
tice than they have enjoyed in the
past. The people of our country
await with anxious expectancy the
result of your action today. The
eyes of the nation are centered upon
you: and friends and foes alike de-
mand the submission of the issues in
voIved in this strike to a tribunal
nominated by the president of the
United States.
That there are discordant ele-
ments in this convention, that there
are dissatisfied ones at home, l am
fully aware, but gentlemen. with all
the earnestness with which 1 am pos
sessed, L urge that you give your APP
proval to the action of yOur eXecu-
tive officers, who have recommended
acceptance of the proposition
Enthusiasm In Convention
Before the motion to adjourn was
adopted the convention turned into
social meeting. the delegates being
entertained by songs. Give Three
Cheers to Mitchell and for the Strike
we have Won" was sung by the dele
gates, and swept the convention with
enthusiasm.
Delays Declaring StrIkesOR
The convention reassembled at 2: 10.
Mitchell and Wilson were elected
president and secretary. Mitchell
was given an ovation.
Before the debate began a motion
carried to have the credentials of all
delegates in the hall examined. This
meant considerable delay.
Delegates Are Cheerful
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 20.-Delegates
to the anthracite mine workers con-
vention, which met in the Nesbitt
theater. this city, at 10 a. m. today
for the purpose of acting on the pro-
posed arbitration of the coal strike,
began arriving here yesterday. Many
of the delegates are instructed in vari-
Gus features of the settlement but a
majority of them Will follow the adj
vice and Judgment of President Mitch
ell There is nothing on the surface
that gives the slightest indication that
the convention will not vote to send
the men to work this week, with the
probabilities still in favor of Thursday.
a noticeable thing among the dele
gates is their cheerfulness. 1t is quite
evident to observers that they will be
glad to get together and decide to re-
turn to work after the weary idle
ness of more than five months. The
main point upon which discussion is
looked for is the question of places
for all the strikers. Many of these
places are filed with non-union men
whom the companies declareehex will