Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-21
Tells the Delegates That to Act
Promptly Means a Greater Measure
of Justice for Miners Than to Fight
1t Out.

Wilkesbarre, Oct. 20.-District Pres
ident Nichols called the United Mine
workers convention to order at 1920
O'Clock this morning There were
about 700 delegates present. Previous
to the assembling of the convention
the delegates whose opinions We're
fought felt the convention would do
whatever Mitchell advised. Secretary
Wilson is of the opinion the conven-
Mon will end to morrow and that the
>nen will return to work Thursday.
Expect Acceptance.
Wilson said that the outlook for ac-
3eptance is bright, but there are still
htimations among assembling dele
GATES that there are objections on the
part of some to calling off the strike
antil positive assurance is had that all
dhe men will get back the positions
they occupied before the strike be-
gan.
Meet Behind Closed Doors.
The precedents of other conventions
were followed and the principal busi--
ness of this meeting will be conducted
behind closed doors. President Mich
OILS, after calling the convention to or
der had the call for the convention
read as is customary in conventions
of the mine workers. The district
secretaries acted as the committee on
credentials and these secretaries had
already completed their work and
lheir reports showed a total of 636
delegates, which viii probably be in
creased after all the credentials are
received. Shortly after IL O'Clock the
convention adjourned until 2 o'clock
this afternoon.
Go Wild With Enthusiasm.
Before the motion to adjourn was
adopted the convention was turned
into social meeting, the delegates
being entertained by songs. Give
Three Cheers for Mitchell for the
Strike We Have Won,' was sung by
the delegates and swept the conven-
tion with enthusiasm.
Mitchell Chosen President.
Wilkesbarre, Oct. 20.-The conven-
Mitchell and Wilson We're elected
respectively.
Mitchell Talks to Miners.
President Mitchell began to speak at
2:40 o'clock. He was given an eX-
tremely cordial reception. The dele
gates arose and cheered him for sew
eral minutes.
'The grave question which you have
been called upon to consider today de-
mands and must receive your most
careful thought. Personally, | should
have preferred an adjustment OF diff
culties arising in the anthracite field
by conference with the anthracite
mine owners and without the interven-
ton of agencies not directly involved,
but / recognize the fact that the rela-
tions between ourselves and the oper-
ators have become so strained as to
render direct negotiations at this time
impossible. The proposition may
have Objectionable features and in it's
detail may not meet with the unani-
NOUS approval of our people, but it is
immeasurably better as now presented
than when originally offered by the
representatives of the coal corpora
tions. / am firm in my conviction that
the prompt acceptance OF this proposal
will secure to the anthracite mine
workers and those dependent upon
them a greater measure of justice than
they could attain by continuing the
conflict. l believe the prompt accept
ance OF this proposition will secure to
the mine workers a greater degree OF
justice than they have enjoyed in the
past.
Await Outcome.
"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 demand the
submission of the issues involved in
this strike to a tribunal nominated by
the President OF the United States.
That there are discordant elements in
this convention, that there are dissat.
isfied ones at home, | am fully aware,
but gentlemen. with all the earnest
ness with which l am possessed, /
urge that you give your approval to
the action of your executive officers
who have recommended the accept
ance of the proposition"
Engineers Block Immediate Settlement
At the conclusion Of his speech it