New-York tribune., 1903-06-16
IEAVE 1T TO OPERATORS.
Endorse Delegates and See What
U7M Happen, Miners Say.

J
.,o, or the United Mine Workers Of the
.b-se anthracite districts called to deal with
the refusal Of the operators to recognize the
concifiators appointed by the miners joint eX-
ecutive board opened here to-day with Natlonal
President John Mitchell in the chair and o4o
delegates IN attendance The question OF the
oonciliation and all other grievances the dlffer-
ent districts want TO have considered were
referred TO a committee on resolutions composed
OF seven delegates from each district and the
three district presidents. This committee met
tonight and will present report for revision
or adoption at to-morrow's session of the con-
vention.
The sentiment almost unanimously expressed
IN the motions and speeches was in favor of the
convention contenting itself with indorsing the
action of the executive board and leaving 1t TO
the operators TO accept the three district pres-
dents as conciliators or take the consequences
OF their refusal Not a few of the delegates de-
clared openly for strike to enforce acceptance
CT the district presidents credentials as they
now stand.
in his speech opening the convention Presi-
dent Mitchell said in part:
It is needless 10 say that the refusal Of the coal
33 oIeTaoI f 70 5 ibri fair e5irif - is deem dis
appointment to me 1 had hoped that after the
award WAS made side would accept il. and
carry out its provisions the last letter desire
10 say that il the mine workers had refused to
carry out even so much as the slightest provision of
that award l would be the first man to condemn
visions inyiolate " hen ne are ready to live up 70
The award II as Is & n0I GilTeasohADe LOT Us 10 ASK te
If either side IS to be continually raising techni-
calities and seeking point of disagreement, 1t
IS safe TO il may as wei have been that the
demand that we work hsrnoniousy together in
carrying out the provisions OF that award. The
asked and were entitled to. From monetary
sr1S,,tt19 % an advance in wages and decrease in
hp1r of la bGr llFf
one-half of what were entitled to. But, what
ever disappointment came OF the award; we can
and carry the award faithfully as though We
secured everything We sought
Several delegates SPOKE in favor of having the
district presidents report what had been done
at the Cancellation Board meeting, but this was
voted down as unnecessary. President Mitchell
said:
What the district presidents have to report can
recognize your representatives on the concila ton
board on the preteXt that the commission didE
mean what IL said The commission said that if
there ma joTity organization existing in all
The ,0rS n J5noirf IS 5I1.5 fvfca yt No ~
made f t,,a 19or5 ..ac i,e oT1srs3rc az 4i,af
meant something else. AS l understand II, the
agreed as to Just what the commission did mean
sole interpreters ef the commission,s award II
was written IN plain English. md we understand
the English language quite as wen as they Be
Judge Gray. in which ne saws that the appoint
Inent might be made by the regularly constituted
tainly means the three executive boards.
Secretary George Hartlein followed with a
sreech in which he provoked resounding cheers
by declaring: I see six months strike
in every one Of your faces to get what we are
entitled to-" He declared that the convention
had nothing 10 do with selecting conciliators as
that had already been done. The only business
before il 10 formulate this and the other
grievances and proceed 10 have them redressed.
A colored delegate, William Tarr. of Shamo-
kin. protested against Secretary Hartein's talk
inE strike. We've had enough of strike" he
declared What were here for is TO avoid
strike We're not looking for bother"
Tarr Was interrupted frequently with cries of
Put him ou:." When ne had been induced to
sit down. delegate formally made a motion
eject TarT from the hail. President Mitchell
smiled. and went with the business.
a Schuylkill delegate favored fight on the
Cancellation question il stood If the op-
orators have their way in this he said,
they VIII want their way in everything
aHc the end of the three years the miners
VIII be enjoying none of the things awarded 10
them by the commission"
Time ard again motions were made. which.
though differing ln form. were all substantially
action Of the joint executive board in selecting
the conclalors. but President Mitchell each
time STAYED of a vote by ruling or another
Finally he advised that motion be made con-
templatinfs fnal disposition OF the matter In
stead, he advised that the convention should
press its sentiments. leave IL to the committee
on resolutions 20 frame the sentiments in proper
order, and then take action. This advice was
needed The convention adjourned TO meet
al q