The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-16
President Mitchell Makes a Brief
 Address to Delegates
RECOGNITION IS DEMANDED
Secretary Hartlln Says, "l See a Six Months Strike In Every One of Your Faces to Get What
 We Are Entitled To-"

l Scranton, Pa, June 15.-The special convention of the United Mine Workers of the three anthracite districts called for the purpose of dealing with the refusal of the operators to recognize the concilia- tors appointed by the joint executive board, opened here today with National President John Mitchell presiding and $40 delegates in attendance. The concilia- ton matter and all other grievances the different districts want to have consid- cred were referred to committee on res- olutons composed of seven delegates from each district, and the three district pres idents.
 This committee met tonight and pre- sented a report for revision or adoption at tomorrows session of the convention. The sentiment almost unanimously ex- pressed in the motions and speeches was in favor of the convention, contenting itself with endorsing the action of the executive board and leaving 1t to the l operators to accept the three district l presidents as conciliators, or take the consequences of their refusal. Not a few of the delegates declared openly for a strike to enforce acceptance of the district presidents credentials as they now stand.
 President Mitchell Speaks.
 In opening the convention this after noon President Mitchell made brief speech reviewing the events that have transpired since the close of the strike, and making suggestions as to what plan | 4ha aho fnl low. He said in part:
 You have been summoned here to de- termine what action you shall take in re- lation to the operators refusing to recog- nize those whom you have selected to represent you on the joint conciiation 1 board.
 "It is needless to say that the refusal Of the coal operators to accept the award of the strike commission in a broad lib- eral fair spirit is deep disappointment l to me. I had hoped that after the award was made each side would accept it and carry out its provisions to the last let l ter. I desire to say that if the mine workers had refused to carry out even so much as the slightest provision of that award I would be the first man to con demn them for such conduct. We expect to keep It's provisions invlolate. When we are ready to live up to the award 1t Is not unreasonable for us to ask the operators to do the same
 Harmony Is Needed.
 'If either side is to be continually rais- 1 ing technicalities and seeking some point of disagreement 1t is safe to say 1t may as well have been that the commit Stee never met. Our common interests de- mand that we work harmoniously to- gether in carrying out the provisions of that award.
 What the district presidents heS~ to report can be told in a nutshell. The operators refused to recognize your rep resentatives on the concilation board, on l the pretext that the commission did not 1 mean what 1t said. We don't propose to 1 allow the operators to be the sole n- 1 terpreters of the commissions awars. It was written in plain English and we un- | derstand the English language quite as | well as they. Besides we have an au- | thenticated interview from Judge Gray in which he says that the appointment might be made by the regularly appointed officer of the majority organization and that certainly means the executive | boards"
 Hartlin Makes Spirited Speech.
 Secretary George Hartin followed with a spirited speech, in which he provoked resounding cheers by declaring 'I can see a six months strike in every one of your faces to get what we are entitled l to-"
 A colored delegate, William Tarr of l Shamokin arose to protest against Sec retary Hartin talking strike. We've had enough of strike. We've had our belly full of it," he declared. What we're here for is to avoid strike. We're not look Ing for bother
 Tarr was interrupted frequently with cries of put him out" and the like.
 Time and again motions were made dif- fering in form only, but all substan- tially in favor of having the convention endorse the action of the joint executive board in selecting the conciliators, but President Mitchell each time stayed off vote by one ruling or another. Fin ally he advised that no motion be made contemplating final disposition of the matter, and instead he advised that the convention should express it's sentiments. leave 1t to the committee on resolutions to frame the sentiments in proper order and then take action. This advice was needed. The convention adjourned at $40 O oclock to meet again tomorrow morn- | ing at o'clock.