Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-21
MINERS CONVENTION
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE)
sense by each would lead them to work

sense by each would lead them to work
| If harmony.
JUsTIFIEs PRESIDENT.
Personally. should have preferred an
| adjustment of the difficulties existing IN
the anthracite field by conference with
! the anthracite mine owners and without
| the Intervention of agencies not directly
| involved, but I recognize the fact tnae
| relations between ourselves and the mine
! operators have become SO strained as 10
render direct negotiations at this time I'M
/ possible. If the consequences OF TINS
! strike affected only the interests OF the
! operators and mine workers there would
| be less reason for the Intervention OF a
! third party but the fact that coal
| famine was upon the people OF eastern
land seaboard States and threatened to
| become a national calamity Justliies the
| action of the Chief Executive of our ma
| ton in his earnest efforts to bring about
| an early resumption of mining.
| The people of our country await WITH
| anxious expectancy the result of your &C
| ton to-day: the eyes of the nation are
centered upon you, and friends ana Toes
alike demand the submission OF the issues
| invoked in this strike to the tribunal
nominated by the President OF the mi
| ted States. That there are dfscordant ell
! ements in this convention that there are
dissatisfied ones at home. ] am fully
aware, but gentlemen. with all the earn
estness of which / am possessed, urge
| that you give your approval TO the actlon
| of your executive officers who have re-
| commended acceptance of the proposition
| that the strike be declared off and all
men are then to return to work IN the
positions and working places occupied
by them prior to the Inauguration of the
strike and that all questions at issue be
submitted for adjustment to the tribunal
| selected by the President of the United
| States.
| Tremendous Applause.
The address was followed with the
| losest attention by the delegates Al
various stages of the reading Mr. Mitchell
vas appauded but when he urged the
| delegates to adopt the recommendations
If the executive boards. to call off the
sril1e and "all men are then to wo,k
! n the positions they occupied before the
| ,trike was inaugura ted" tremendous ap-
| lause greeted the remarks. The moment
| re finished a Wilkesbarre delegate was
IN his feet and moved that the recon-
nenda tons contained in President Mitch
| els address be adopted. If this had been
cted upon at once the strike would
ave been off and the conventions wort
| Gne but those in opposition would no!
ave it that way. They wanted to AM
| d debate the matter until the adjourn
aent, d1leI D o CLOCK.
Opposition Develops.
| \ Panther Creek engineer was the first
Jake the floor in opposition to accept
ng the plan until he and his colleagues
I'd some assurance that they would be
ainstated in their old positions. The
onpanies have said he continued. that
neg will not dismiss the men now en-
oyed by them and place strikers in their
osition A number of other delegates
y
sion resulted over the presence of per-
ms who were not delegates.
President Mitchell Strengthened this out
requesting those not accredited to
ave the hall.
Reimbursement of the Men.
The question again reverted to the re-
statement OF the men. A dozen speeches
ere made for and against the question
{ obtaining some specific assurances that
ne men would get back, before the con-
.ntion ordered the strikers to return to
ork.
Finally a delegate arose and asked
President Mitchell to express his views on
ne subject He Immediately responded
| nd made one of the most important adj
resses he has been called to make dur
lg the past five months. The strike lead
! said:
An Important Utterance.
y desire to inform you that the presi-
| ant of your organization has done all he
| an to learn the attitude of the companies
owards the men who are now on strike.
s you know, the companies refused di-
ect negotia tons with us. Through inter
ledaries we have received assurances
hat the companies are going to meet the
ssues fairly; that they are not disposed
o blacklist the men; that they do not
oppose to be vindictive; that, as far as
ossible, the men are to be returned to
heir old places. It may take some time
efore that can be brought about and it
lay be that some few men will not be re-
tored to their former positions at all.
When you vote on this proposition you
aust do it with as full knowledge Of the
:tuation as I can give you.
VIII Carry 1t to the Commission.
In our pledge to the President of the
Tnited States in which we said that we
yOuld recommend to you a resumption Of
'ork We said to him that we desired a re-
1rn Of our people to their old jobs, and
# the companies fail to give you men your
Id places if they fail to treat you favor
bly,, we shall carry the question to the
tribunal named by the President and ask
hat tribunal to decide that we are en-
tiled to the work which we left when we
vent on strike"
Another delegate made a speech against
nding the strike without definite assuc-
nee of reinstatement and Mr.. Mitchell
vas again called upon for an explanation
the status of the arbitration plan as it
ow stands. In response to this request,
lie said:
Got Adopted rs Operators Made 1t.
1--WE have not adopted their proposition,
s they made it, and the proposition would
lever, with my consent have been adopt
ID as they made it. When the coal COM
,anies thought to practically name the
,rbitrators we objected and secured a
Modification of their proposals. That modi-
ication enabled the President to select
nen outside of the classes suggested by
he companies. Organized labor is repre-
5ented on the commission. do not, how
.ver assume that the capitalists or the