New-York tribune., 1903-06-17
PEACE Nv THE COAL FIELDS.

All danger of strike in the anthracite coal
region disappeared when Mr. Mitchell quietly
asserted himself in opposition to a few hot
headed members of the United Mine Workers
convention at Scranton yesterday. 1t is doubt
full if the danger has ever been really serious
for the point in dispute was technlcallty IN
volving no principle over which either operators
or miners could have deliberat tely wished to en-
gage i'm bostilities nevertheless it is relief to
the public TO have the ncipient quarrel stopped
without further exchange of verbal thrusts
That mart of the commissions award which
relates TO the Board of Cancellation provides
that IF there shall be 3 division of the whole
region into three districts. in each of which
there shall exist an organization representing
"a majority of the mine workers of such dis
.'trict. one of said Board of Cancellation shall
''be appointed by each of said organizations"
The conditions so defined unquestionably exist,
and there is no reason TO doubt that when the
executive boards of the three districts APP
pointed respectively the three district presi-
dents of the United Mine Workers they sup
posed they were proceeding in strict accord
ance with the commissions instructions Nor
have we seen any proof that they were mis-
taken Possibly it was the intention of the
award that the miners representatives on the
Board of Cancellation should be elected by the
miners: but it is perfectly obvious that the lam
guage of the award does not prescribe such
method of choosing them, and if the conven-
tion had insisted on it's Interpretation of the rule
it might have won at least forensic victory.
But Mr. Mitchell wisely held. and fortunately
persuaded his followers TO agree that there was
not the slightest need Of inviting trouble when
the means of averting it were at hand. Ac-
cordingly the delegates of each district in the
trict presidents already appointed, and the corl-
vention then ratified the selection. The result
was the same, but it had been accomplished in
way which left the operators no possible
ground for complaints TO which the public
would listen for moment. Moreover. it had
aIready been announced in behalf of the oper
ators that they objected not at all 10 Messrs
Fahey. Nichols and Dettrey. but only to the
manner OF their original appointment. so that
the action of The convention removed the actual
obstacle in the way of settlement in remov
ing the technical obstacle.
The convention wisely guided in another
| matter yesterday Mr.. Mitchell had declared
the day before, for himself and the organiza-
| tion. that they meant to observe the terms of
! the award in good faith, and that the welfare
| of both sides demanded that they should work
| harmoniously together TO that end. 1t was un-
| uoubteuiy tue OF Ine COMMISSION thdt
| all such grievances as were presented TO the
| convention should be referred TO the Board of
| Cancellation. and in referring them the con-
| vention signifed its acceptance Of Mr. Mftchelrs
| views as TO what interest and propriety re-
quired. Thus the course which the miners ha We
| taken not only removes the recent possibility
| of strike this summer, but iustifes hope of
| continued peace and increasing good will in the
| coal fields