The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-10-21
No Doubt That Plan OF Arbitra.
tration Will Receive Big
Majority Today.
MITCHELL'S WARM GREETING
Leader Urged Acceptance, Say
ing Sacrifices Would Be
Necessary to Victory
Will Vote Today.

wILKESBARRE,oct. 20.-1rhe anx-
iously awaited convention Of the 49,
900 striking miners met today, but lid
not reach vote on the proposri plan
Of settlement. It IL expected 10 do so
tomorrow. There were Gsz delegates
present and they were empowered by
the local unions TO cast S57 votes for on
against President Rooseyelt's pro c3osed
plan Of arbitration
The question OF engineers aremen and
pumpmen getting :heir Eiaees back
proved The only stumbling block in the
way Of almost immediate adoption of
the presidents plan. which carries
with it declaring the strike off and
general resumption OF work through
the hard coal mine region.
The leaders of the strikers, except
Mitchell, were hardly heard at all in
the convention today. The engineers be-
ing allowed 10 give full expression TO
their feelings. But tomorrow. 1t is
pr sdicted. The leaders will be heard,
and one OF them said today that there
wonld not be more than is votes re-
corded against the plan which Presi-
dent Roosevelt has proposed to them.
and which all Of the highest officials
OF the minewol kers In this region have
earnestly requested.
There were two sessions. forenoon
and afternoon, and the net result as re-
CARDS the progress Of The convention
toward its great object vas permanent
organization, with Mitchell in the
chair; his speech laying the presidents
plan before the delegates, mis- eloquent
impromrtu speech advocating its
adoption and the appointment of he
committee on resolutions. The cues
ton before the convention when 1t ad-
journed for the day was on the adop-
ton OF the resolution embodied in
Mitchell's opening speech to call off
the strike and leave all questions to
the presidents commission.
President Mitchell was unable to at
tend the morning session, but he pre-
sided in the afternoon and read
carefully prepared opening address.
The closing words of Mitchelrs ad-
dress were:
"That there are iiscordant elements
in this convention, that there are dis
satisfied ones at home, I am fully
aware, but, genslemen. with all the !
earnestness of which I am possessed, |
l urge that you give approval to the
action of Your executive officers, who
have recommended the acceptance of
the proposition that the strike be de-
clared off and all men are then 20 re-
turn to work in their positions, and
their working places occupied by them
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 or the United
States"
Tremendous applause greeted the
close of the address.
Later in the day, speaking of the
complaint that the engineers, firemen |
and pumpmen would not secure their
former positions, Mitchell said to the
"As you know, the companies refuse
direct negotiations with us, though
from the intermediates we have re-
ceived assurance that the companies
are going to meet the issues squarely;
that as far as possible the men are to
be returned to their old places. While
we shall try with all the power we
have to get every man that struck
back to his old job, we will make spec
al efforts for none and show special
favor to none. 1t may be true that
some will be sacrificed, and, as much
rs we shall regret, desire to say that
40 battle was ever fought, no victory