Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-10-23
The coal STRIKE,
Miners Leaders Will Recommend
Observation-Disclosures Proposal
The MINERS CONVENTION IOSDAY.
The Minlug Of Coal VIII Probably Be Re-
sumsd Toward the Bnd Of Next Wssk-
Several Misss Wholly or Par
TALLY Flooded.

Wifkesbarre, Pa, Oct. l7.-The ex-
ecutive boards of the three anthra-
cite districts Of the United Mine
Workers Of America in joint session
yesterday unanimously decided to
recommend to a delegate convention
Of striking miners the acceptance Of
the arbitration proposition submit
ted by the president Of the United
States and it Is reasonably certain
that the advice will be followed and
the great struggle brought to q close.
The convention will be convened in
this city Monday morning and 1t is
the hope and the belief Of the off,
GERS of the union that the mining
of coal will be resumed before the
close Of next week after entire sus-
pension Of more than five months.
The citizens Of the entire region
are much elated that the strife is
almost over, because business in the
coal fields has been practically para
lived since the strike began.
A question was raised yesterday as
to whether Commissioner Wright,
who will be the recorder OF the
commission, will have the right to
vote in case the six other members
Of the board are equally divided on
any question in connection with .
settlement. Mr.. Mitchell, when
asked, appeared to be sure that he
had not, and other officials Of the
union were also uncertain Of Mr..
Wright's status. The matter Of the
term Of years that the agreement
shall be in force was also q source
Of much inquiry. The union was
strongly opposed to the operators
fixing the term Of years. One dis
trict president said this feature had
been left to the discretion Of the
commission, as suggested In Mr..
Mitchells proposition, while other
officials said they knew nothing
about It. President Mitchell, for
some reason, did not care to discuss
any feature Of the arbitration agree
ment while the matter was, still in
the hands Of the miners.
If the plans Of the strike, leaders
are not disarranged q general re-
sumption Of mining will take place
about next Thursday. It Is expected
the convention will last two days
and that there will be an interval
of one day from the time the con-
vention adjourns until the time set
for the men to go back to the mines.
II the convention should be in SEES
sion on Wednesday it is probable re-
sumption would not take place until
Friday. There will not be enough
work at first for all the strikers, as
II is the intention Of the companies
not to dismiss non-union men who
have stood by them during the
strike. The organization will take
care Of such other men as are unable
to find work. II Is estimated that
all the strikers will not find work
until two or three months have
elapsed. This is due to the condition
Of the mines. Some of them are
wholly or partially flooded and 9TH
ers need repairing.
The coal companies. anticipating
he ending OF the strike next week,
are busily engaged in preparing for
resumption. Tens Of thousands OF
coal cars are in the regions ready
for loading and extra efforts will be
made in moving them to the large
distributing centers once mining Is
resumed. II is estimated that more
than 200 Of the $50 c~ollieries will be
in operation by the end Of next
week and will produce enough coal
10 relieve the situation. An author
ity in civil mining said yesterday that
the coal companies, as a result Of the
strike, are 30,OOO,OOO Of tons be-
hind.