Milford chronicle., 1902-10-24
GOAL STRIKE
DECLARED OFF
Miners Convention Accepts Ar.
bitratiOn Proposition.
CHEERS GREETED DECISION
Mitchell Chosen to Present Mems
Case to ArbitratOrs.
REJOICING IN THE COAL REGIONS

President RooseVelt's Commission.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Oct. 22.-With
shout that fairly shook the convention
building, the representatives of the
lat 900 mine workers, who have been |
on strike since last May, officially de-
clared off at noon yesterday the great
est contest ever waged between capt.
tai and labor, and placed all the ques-
tons involved in the struggle into the |
hands of the arbitration commission !
appointed by the president of the Unit |
ed States. When the news was flash |
ed to the towns and villages down in |
the valleys and on the mountains Of |
the coal regions the strike affected in |
habitants heaved a sigh of relief. Many |
days have gone by since more well |
come news was received. Everywhere
there was rejoicing, and in many
places the end of the strike was the
signal for imprOmptu town celebra-
lions. The anthracite coal regions
from its largest Decentralization
to the lowliest coal patch, has suffer
ed by the conflict, and every one now
looks for better times While the
large army of mine workers and their
families, numbering approximately
100000 persons, are grateful that work
is to be resumed tomorrow, the stril1-
ers have still to learn what their re-
ward will be. President Roosevelt
having taken prompt action in calling
the arbitrators together for their first
meeting on Friday, the miners hope
they will know by Thanksgiving Day
what practical gain they have made.
The vote to resume coal mining was
unanimous one and was reached only
after a warm debate. During the de-
bate three speeches were made in for
eign nguages-Slavonic, Polish and
Lithuanian The three foreign-speak-
ing delegates favored the acceptance
of the proposition.
Reinstatement the Principal objection
The principal objection to accepting
the arbitration proposition was that no
provision was contained in the scheme
to take care of those men who would
fail to get back their old positions or
would be unable to get any work at all.
The engineers and pump men get bet
ter pay than other classes of mine
workers, and they did not wish to run
the risk of losing altogether their old
places and be compelled to dig coal
for a living. This question came up
yesterday, and was argued right up to
the time the vote was taken. No one
had a definite plan to offer to over
come the objection, and the report Of
the committee on resolutions recon-
mending that the strike be declared
off, and that all issues be placed in
the hands of the arbitration commits
sion for decision, was adopted with
out the question being settled. A few
minutes before adjournment, however
a partial solution was reached, wheI
a delegates in the farthest corner Of
the hall moved that the problem bC
placed in the hands of the three execu
tive boards for solution, and mis- sug
gestion was adopted. The principa
speech of the day was made by Ma
/ tional Secretary-treasurer w. B. VIII
: son, who practically spoke for Presi
dent Mitchell and the national organi
cation. In a strong argument h
counseled the men to accept arbitra
ton, the very plan the strikers them
} selves had offered, return to work ant
trust to the presidents tribunal to d.
: them justice.
Great enthusiasm was manifesto
when the vote on the resolutions wa
taken. President Mitchell came in for
: share Of the applause. When order wa
restored resolutions we're adOpte
. thanking all organizations and ind
= viduals for the assistance they hav
rendered the mine workers in tn
strike.
A resolution was also adopte
recommending to state legislature
that no person under 81 years of az
be employed in or about the mines fC
more than eight hours a day. Enve
opes addressed to President Mitchell, 6
WiIkesbarre, were distributed anon
b the delegates, with instructions thS
a all pay envelopes, due bills, statement
of wages, and anything that may hel
the miners in their case before the a
: bitratiOn commission be sent to him.
e Hundreds Will BE Unable to Get Wor
The question of taking care of a
the men who will fail to get work IL
mediately will be a serious one for Il
union. There is no doubt the exec
tive boards will take care of the eni
neers, fremen and pump men, b
there will be thousands of 9th
classes Of mine workers who will ha'
9 to be looked after In some plac
hundreds will not be able to get woi
for weeks. and in other localitie
where the mines are in very bad CO
> dition, there will be no employing
for many wOrkmen, as most of the
mines will carry their idleness in
ID next year. Now that the strike is ov
the volume of money relief will q
- crease, and the local union will b
compelled to call upon the national o
, ganization for assistance when tn
- money now on hand runs out. tn
officials who are willing to talk of IL
situation feel confident that the n
81 tional body will come to the assis
Ill Ance and help all those who stood Oh
as during the suspension.
be Hundreds of men. needed to repa
a the miRes and otherwise place the
ut in condition for operation, went
so work this morning, the convention ha
ing decided that this was imperati'
in order to get the men at work quic
III ly to satisfy the country's demand f
coal. All the locals held meetings
:. day, at which instructions were Civ
the members regarding their apple
a. ton for work.
W. The proceedings in the converts
ICE Indicate that there will be some fr
ton in some of the local Organizatio
over many little questions which W
come up in connection with the m
returning to the mines.
A. Mitchell Well Pleased.
President Mitchell received ma
q cOngratulatory kilograms from all on
cha cOuntrE after the n0WR RnHead u