Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-23

osition therein embodied and submit all
questions at issue between the operators
and mine workers OF the anthracite coal
region and adjustment 10 the commission
which you have named.
IN pursuance TO that decision we shall
report for work on Thursday morning
October q, In the positions and working
places occupied by US prior to the inau-
guration of the strike.
I'VE have authorized John Mitchell,
president OF the United Mine Workers OF
America, with such assistance as he may
select. to represent US in all hearings
before the commission.
(signed) JOHN MITCHELL, Chair
man of Convention.
'sW. B. WILSON. Secretary Of Conven-
ton" IS
The debate on Reinstatement was i'm
nediately resumed. One delegate siren
uously objected to the adoption Of the res
olutions. because no provision is made in
them for the men who may fan TO get
work The other side Of the question
was taken up by a delegate from the
Panther creek valley. who said:
LET US go back; we will all get work
in the end"
There were cries for the previous ques-
ton. but President Mitchell stopped this
by announcing that every man would be
would not entertain a motion to vote so
long as there was one delegate in the hall
who wanted to be heard.
National Secretary-Treasurer w. B.
Wilson was recognized by the chair. He
made a strong speech for the acceptance
OF the proposition. He said the miners
always were willing TO arbitrate and now
that the coal company ofhcials have
agreed the miners are bound to agree.
To those men who feared they might not
get back their POSITIONS. he put the ques-
ton: how did they know they would
not be taken back? He said they were
only anticipating IL. He felt sure that
no competent man need fear the result.
He closed by paying tribute TO all
those who have helped the miners.
Everybody. Was Earnest.
The delegates. in brief speeches. took
up both sides OF the question in great
earnestness. Those opposed TO the prop
osition wanted specific assurances that
they would be taken care OF. During the
debate three speeches were made in for
eign languages-SlavOnic. Polish and
Litrurian.
The Italian delegates also wanted the
proposition explained to them. which was
done BY an Italian speaker. When he
had completed his explanation, motion
was Immediately made TO close the de-
bate. Before the motion was put, Mr..
MlECneLls IN answer 10 a question: an
nounced that he had telegram from the
president that he would call a meeting of
the commission as soon as the convention
took favorable action This was received
with cheers. President Mitchell gave II
as his opinion that the commission would
make its report within one month.
He then put the question on the adop-
ton OF the report after motion to close
=ebate had been adopted and asked in a
short that the ha unanimous
There was one loud roar OF approval and
the strike was officially of.
The delegates arose and cheered for
fully a minute. President Mitchell came
in for a share OF the applause.
When order was restored, resolutions
were adopted thanking all organizations
and individuals for the assistance they
have rendered the mine workers in the
strike. A resolution also was adopted
recommending 70 state legislatures that
no person under q years be employed
in or about mines for more than eight
hours a day.
Another important action was the adop-
ton Of a resolution that all men who
are needed to place the mines in condii-
ton can return TO work at once.
This applies more particularly to the
engineers, firemen and pumpmen. The
engineers made another plea that some
thing be done In the way OF taking care
Of the men who fail to find work 1t was
decided that this question be left in the
hands OF the executive boards OF the three
districts.
Envelopes addressed to President Mitch
ell at Wilkesbarre were distributed among
the delegates with instructions that all
pay envelopes. due bills, statements Of
wages and anything that may help the
miners in their case before the arbitra-
tion commission be sent to him.
"My Country, 'Tis Of Thee"
Rev. ]. ]. Curren. OF Wilkesbarre, made
few remarks TO the miners and congrat-
ulated them on the outcome of the strike.
There being no further business before
the convention, a delegate arose and sug-
gested that before adjourning the dele
gates should sing My Country. IT'S of
Thee" Just 10 show that we are law
abiding citizens"
This was done and the mine workers
convention came 10 an end with three
cheers for John Mitchell