The state herald., 1902-10-24
prior to the inauguration of the strike.
and that all questions at Issue be sub
mitted for adjustment to the tribunal
selected by the President of the United

mitted for adjustment to the tribunal
selected by the President of the United
| States,' Il rs's ''sff7
1t was moved Immediately after Mr..
Mitchell ended his speech that the res
olutions In his speech to declare of the
strike be adopted. This met with the
| expected opposition of the engineers,
who said they wanted careful consid-
Grafton.
| Mr.. Mitchell's statements fayoring
acceptance OF the arbitration plan did
not elicit great applause. but later his
words: II urge acceptance, and that
the strike be declared off with the pro-
| vision that all men return to their
former positions" drew out great ap-
| plause.
A warm debate followed the first
note of objection to the immediate
adoption OF the resolutions to declare
off the strike. In the course of this
motion was made to adjourn because
persons not delegates were present. A
hot debate occurred on this until Mr..
Mitchell said: 'lf you want those not
delegates to get out ask them to go.
and not leave yourselves If you want
| to consider the prospect of getting all
Olu DOSlllODS DdCh you Ctiil OCob
do it here. This proposition will not
be crammed down your throats. You
are the men who voted to go on this
strike, and your votes will end 1t If it
Is ended.'
A motion to adjourn was killed by
an almost unanimous vote. motion
was then carried to exclude from the
hall all but the newspaper men.
The question again reverted to that
of reinstatement of the men. A dozen
speeches were made for and against the
question of some specific action for as
surance that the men would get back
their places If they returned to work
1t imas argued by one delegate that the
calling out of the engineers. firemen
and pumpmen was a mistake. but as
good union men they obeyed. He
wanted the union to stand by those
men now, and not turn It's back on
them.
A delegate arose and asked Presi-
dent Mitchell to express his views on
| the subject. He Immediately respond
ed and made one of the most import
ant addresses he has been called on
to make during the past five months
He spoke slowly and clearly, and every
word was listened to with great inter-
est, because it was looked upon by the
delegates as the real speech of the
day. He closed by saying:
Il have no assurance that II you re.
turn to work Wednesday all of yor
will be given back your old places.
do believe. however, that the coal op-
orators will gradually displace the
men who were brought here from the
cities and from the farms to take youi
places will return to the cities ant
farms when you go back. | have nt
doubt at all that before two or thre,
weeks have rolled by there will be nj
question about the reinstatement o
the men.
However, remember this, thar wher
your votes are cast | want you to cas-
them with the full knowledge thai
some of you may not get your olt
places back. | dare say the companies
are as anxious to have competent en-
gineers, firemen, pumpmen and inspec
tors as you are to fill those places. ant
you know that the men brought her,
to take your places are not competent,
His remarks were greeted with ap
plause. Another delegate made {
speech against ending the strike with
out definite assurance of reinstate
ment. and Mr.. Mitchell was again called
upon for an explanation of the statu,
of the arbitration plan as II nov
stands. This he gave In detail In 1
third speech.
Then the delegates again took up thu
debate. Many of the delegates spok,
with great earnestness. Three Of thu
speakers were willing TO return Il
work and give the American people
some coal.
Another was willing to leave thu
whole matter In the hands OF Presiden
Roosevelt's commission. and anythe
said:
IF cannot get my job. can lool
for another one. Therefore let us &,
to work and give the American people
some coal"
The sentiment of the last speake
was loudly applauded. After furthe
debate on both sides OF the question |
was decided to let the question go owe
until tomorrow morning. A committe,
on resolutions was then appointed. an,
at 5:ls p. m. the convention adjourne,
until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning
The committee includes Prcsidcn
Mitchell. Secretary Wilson and Distric
Presidents Nichols. Duffy and Fahy.
The committee met tonight and out
lined set of resolutions TO be pre-
sented to the convention tomorrow
Nothing official was given out as Il
what they will contain. II is probable
that they will recommend the accept
ance OF the arbitration plan. that al
grievances be submitted 10 the commits
sion appointed by President Roosevelt
that all men who shall not find lmme
diate employment shall be taken car
OF by the union until they get positions
and that organized labor throughou
the world and other organizations an,
individuals be thanked for the assist
ance given the mine workers durini
their struggle.