New-York tribune., 1906-05-04
MINERS ALMOST A UNIT.
STRIKE SEEMS CERTAIN.
Mitchell Says Action of Constabu-
Iary Has Intensified Feeling.

Scranton Penn. May 3.-To-day's sessions OF
the miners tri-district convention were unprof-
liable, except they revealed that the senti-
ment Of practically all Of the six hundred dele
gates is for strike Tonight it is believed that
nothing short of a miracle prevent a strike
from being declared either tomorrow afternoon
Saturday.
At the end OF the afternoon session President
Mitchell made a statement. in the course of
which he used the word "strike" for the first
time since the present negotiations began. Here
is what he said to the newspaper men:
There is not much to say at this time. AS was
indicated at the opening Of the afternoon ses-
sion, the sentiment seems very strong against
accepting the conditions and restricted arbitTa-
tiOn scheme proposed by the operators or re-
newing the award Of the anthracite strike COM
mission for three years. The strike feeling has
justiiable action Of the state constabulary at
Mount Carmel as we'll as by their conduct in
other parts Of the coal regions since the suspen-
sion. The vote will not be known until Friday
afternoon or Saturday.
The morning session Of the convention. which
was held in the main room of the courthouse.
was purely formal. President Mitchell was
loudly applauded when he entered the room. He
was unanimously elected chairman. ffsE fsae
credentials had been taken up the eOmrention
adjourned until afternoon.
At the opening of the afternoon session the
credentials committee made it's report, which was
adopted. Then Mr.. Mitchell made a brief speech
in lieu OF the report Of the joint scale committee.
which had been sent TO the printers He briefly
reviewed the negotiations and said the COM
mittee had perhaps gone even further than It
should in endeavOring 70 bring about a peaceful
settlement Of existing difficulties. He told Of
the propositions made by both sides. and then
said:
We have offered to arbitrate the differences
between us either through the board Of conciia-
ton. with Judge Gray as chairman. through
the anthracite strike commission. We have made
the reservation however, that 1t must be full
commission, not part Of 1t.
That gentlemen, is the status of affairs at
this time, and am sure voice the sentiment
Of every member OF the committee-the men,
bers Of which have worked in entire harmony
during these months-when say that we regret
that have not been able to make a report
that would be satisfactory to you. We regret
that we have not been able to make a tentative
agreement that would secure for you better
wages and better conditions Of employment
A motion to adjourn was then made but a
large majority expressed opposition to the mo-
ton, and incidentally gave an insight into their
feelings as regards strike. The delegate from
Jermyn said that neither he nor the men he rep
resented would go back under the old condi-
tions.
I'VE had better stay out" said he until we
find some way of remedying our grievances"
His speech was loudly applauded. The next
moment delegate from Luzerne County moved
that the suspension be turned into a strike. His
motion was not seconded, and then motion to
go into executive session was made and adopted
The convention remained in executive session un-
til o'clock, when an adjournment was taken
until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock AS far
as could be harmed. the discussion was purely
general Strike talk prevailed all through it.
Mr.. Mitchell denied tonight that he had con-
sidered the matter of referring the entire ques-
tion to a referendum vote OF the mine workers.