New-York tribune., 1902-10-22
TIE End or THE STRIkE.

Tho coal strike has been declared of by
unanimous vote II the Wilkesbarre convention,
the men whose work is necessary 10 prepare
the mines for operation are authorized 10 report
for orders AZ once. the rest will be ready when
the whistles blow tomorrow morning, and
mining will he resumed throughout the anthra
cite region as rapidly as conditions permit after
fve months of inactivity The proceedings
which led up 10 this decisive resolution of the
delegates we're on the whole Creditabe 10 those
who took part in them. Having remarked yes
tcrdav that Mr. Mitchell appeared 10 have no
warrant for saving in his opening address 70
tho convention that all the strikers We're 10 20
back 10 their old places and positions IN case
the arbitration programme were adopted. we
are glad 10 add today that in subsequent replies
TO questions he put tho matter in q different
Nay. He expressed the opinion that there
would he room for all and Lo discrimination
against members of the union. but Sensibly re-
minded the obiectOrS that every battle involved
sacrifices. and declared the possibility that
few OF those who went out might not get back
to be no sufficient reason for rejecting the propo
sition before the convention. one of the dele
gates pertinently asked what the country would
think if the struggle were continued after what
had passed. member of the executive board
bluntly said that, the operators having agreed
10 an arbitration. the strikers were bound 10
agree and other speeches indicated the weak
| ness of the opposition. The final unanimous
vote after everybody who wanted To express
his sentiments had wisely been encouraged 10
do So and the display Of enthusiasm which fol
lowed clearly showed the temper OF the con
vention. which, indeed, had Eever really been
in doubt
Thus ends one of the stiffest Industrial fights
ever waged. II has been marked by mistakes
which are pardonable and by many crimes
which cannot be excused. AS the controversy
peacefully passes into the control Of the Presi-
dents commission, il IS desirable 10 drop all
unnecessary resentments and quietly await the
settlement OF the questions at issue, but ii is
not the part OF good citizenship 10 forget slur
over the systematic laWlessness which prevailed
for months in the mining region. That state Of
prolonged disorder. deliberately created for the
purpose of intlmidating men who wanted TO
work for the wages offered them, must continue
To be cited for the reproof OF public officials who
avoided their responsibilities all summer and
scarcely did their full duty at the last. 1t will
be, and should be. remembered as an example
Of the outrageous practices with which the con
tests Of labor organizations are too often asso-
ciated. and which the leaders Of labor organi-
cations too seldom effectively Iepudiate 1t con
tains both a condemnation and warming
In the course of his largely irrational letter
10 President Roosevelt last week Mr.. Mitchell
expressed hope that the impending arbitration
would put an end 10 various acknowledged evils
10y which the anthracite field has long been
harassed and result in the establishment Of
better relations between employers and en-
plOyed. The operators doubtless share that
hope, and the whole country would rejoice TO
see il fulfilled. No one questions the rectitude
Of the commissions purposes, and If its wisdom
equals its sincerity 1t may succeed In devising
a settlement which those Immediately concerned
will unite TO make permanent. In the mean
time it is not indecorous 10 say that acceptance
10y the union of full legal responsibilities
through Incorporation would seem TO be an cs-
sential condition of future tranquility