The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-21

wjIkesbarre Pa, October 1S--M nat is
probably the last full week OF the an
thracite coal strike closed tOd@y With
ont anything developing % chang the
neaceful trend of events. 1t was Il quiet
day at headquarters anG Il busy one in
the district and sub-distr.:l hcedquar-
ters. throughout the entire codi heids'
on account of the election Of delegates
to Mondays convention All the
sIocaIs'' have met and selected their
representatives to the Wllkesparre
gathering.
There seems to be little doubt but that
the convention will accept the offer or
arbitration. Reports have Jeen received
here coming principally from the region
around Scanton, that there Will be con-
siderable opposition to the acceptance
of plan. but these reports are not taken
seriously at Presidents MitchelPs head
quarters There will be opposition IN
the convention, but it is expected to dis
Appear after Mr.. Mitchell explains the
proposition to the delegates. Many OF
the miners want the convention to
withhold acceptance of the arbitration
plan, until the union is assured that the
strikers will be re-employed in their
former places. This will likely cause a
long debate but the officials OF the
union say the matter will be fixed up
satisfactorily to all concerned.
President Mitchell was asked what he
knew of the report cable1 to the Man
chester Guardian, from New York that
J. Pierpont Morgan was forced TO inter-
vene m the coal strike and in reply he
said:
ITO my personal knowledge Mr.. Nor
gan has been trying TO settle the coal
strike ever since he Came back from
Europe two months ago. If others had
been as fair and reasonable as Mr.. Nor
gan was, the strike would have been
settled long time ago. / know nothing
about Mr. Morgan's financial interest
compelling him to see Il settlement OF
the strike but / am Informed that he
has only felt his responsibility to the
public in connection with the fuel ia
mine and has done his best to bring
about the end. Both Mr.. Morgan and
Mr.. Cassatt of the Pennsylvania roal-
road were working for settlement
when President Roosevelt made his last
and successful move. Mr.. Morgan could
not very we'll be forced to do something
which he had been trying to achieve
for several weeks. I make this state
ment in justice to Mr.. Morgan. We
have no quarrel with him and We wish
none. We do not fear him. but prefer
his friendship if he is wiling to give it
to US. / am credibly Informed that he
is friendly to organized labor. AS an
organizer of capital, he comedies the
right of labor to organize. also, and
when labor organizers are fair and con-
servative, he believes in 'lealing directly
with them for the advantage of both
employer and employee. 1t is this re-
lationShip which the United Mine Work
n ers seek in the anthracite coal field and
we invite Mr.. Morgan to cooperate
with us in securing d permanent and
scientific solution of The labor trouble
in this region.
shenandoah Unions Instruct.
Shenandoah, Pa. October IA ma.
jority of the local unioi,s Of Shenandoah
and vicinity have instructed the dele.
gates elected to the Wilkesbarre con
Vention to vote against calling the
strike off, unless assurances are giveT
that every man who responded to the
call to go on strike be given his old po.
sition back.
Endorses Arbitration Plan.
Hazelton, Pa, October iS.-The dis
trict council of the United Mine Work
ers. of the Seventh district represent
ing forty two locals today, unanimouSl!
adopted resolutions endorsing the ac
ton of President Mitchell N accepting
the arbitration proposal.
Another Call for Troops.
Hazelton; Pa, October 1S-Three com
panies of the first regiment were calies
to Drifton today to quell a disturbance
caused by the beating of non-unlol
FOREIGNER who was on his w1y from
Freelana to the Drifton coliiery o. Cox
Brothers and Company. Bet9re tn
troops arrived the assailants had fled.
TO RALEIGH FOR SAFE KEEPING.