Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 October 1902 — BACK TO THE MINES. [ARTICLE]

BACK TO THE MINES.

THE GREAT ANTHRACITE COAL •TRIKE DECLARED OFF. Miners* Convention at Wilkesbarre Adopts President Roosevelt’a Arbitration Plan by Unanimous Vote — Commission Meets at Once. By a unanimous viva voce vote the convention of United Mine Workers at Wilkesbarre, Pa., accepted President Roosevelt’s arbitration plan shortly before noon Tuesday. Great cheers greeted the announcement of the result. The iegolution as adopted carries with it a declaration that the strike is off and provide* for an immediate resumption of work in the coal mines throughout the anthracite region. President Mitchell told the convention that President Roosevelt had informed him that he would call a meeting of the arbitration commission immediately after the convention’s acceptance of his proposal, and Mr. Mitchell gave it as his opinion to the delegates that the findings of the arbitrators would be announced within a month. The end of the convention and of the great strike which has lasted five months suddenly appeared close at hand. President Mitchell, after the convention had given itself over to heated debate for an hour and a half, arose and calmly told the delegates that it must be apparent to all of them that there was no doubt whatever that the President’s proposal would be adopted. There had been a renewal of the serious opposition of the steam men and heated words had passed between delegates. Vote Is Unanimous. Explanations of the President’s proposal had been made in four foreign languages. There seemgdto be more opposition than ever to settlement, when suddenly there was n break in the clouds when a motion was put by a delegate down in front, near the presiding officer. In.a clear voice the strike leader called for a vote on the all-important question and instantly there was a roar of ayes. The next instant messengers were flying in all directions from the convention to give the news to the world through the newspapers. Hundreds of miners who were not delegates filled the sidewalks and streets near the entrance to the Nesbitt Theater, where the convention had met, and the news quickly spread among the men, and the faces of men who had suffered hardships since last May at once became brighter. After the strike had been declared off there was some routine business, including the usual votes of thauks, and then •hortly before 1 o'clock the convention adjourned sine die. It was evident when the delegates assembled that they were in a most hopeful mood. Some said that the arbitration committee would be even of more benefit

to future generations in the coni field* I than the present; and anyhow it would put before the public the whole situation In detuil ns between the miners and operators, in a fair and thorough way.Text of Resolutions. We, the Committee on Resolutions, beg leave to recommend that the following communication be adopted and forwarded to Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America: The Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, Washington, D. C. Pear Sir—We, the representntlves of the employes of the various coal companies engaged In operating mines In the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania In convention assembled, having under consideration your telegram of Oct. 13, 11X12, addressed to John Mitchell, President of the Uulted Mine Workers of America, which reads as follows: "I have appointed as Commissioners Brlg.-fion. John H. Wilson. K. W. Parker, Judge (Jeorge Orny, E. K. Clurk, Thomas K. Watkins, bishop J. L. Spalding, with Car roll D. Wright as recorder. Tnese names were accepted by the operators and I now earnestly ask and urge that the miners likewise accept this Commission. It Is a matter of vital concern to all our people, and especially to those In our great cities who are least well off, that the mining of coal ahould be resumed without a moment's unnecessary delay.” Wc have decided to accept the proposition therein embodied aud submit all questions at Issue liotwecn the operators and mine workers of the anthracite coal region for adjustment to the Commission which you have named. In pursuance of that decision we shall report for work on Thursday morning, Oct. 23, In the positions and working place occupied by us prior to the Inauguration of the strike. We have authorised John Mitchell, President of the United Mine Workers of America, with such assistants as he may select, to represent us In all hearings before the Commission. JOHN MITCHELL. Chairman of Convention. W. 11. WILSON, Secretary of Convention. Statistics of the Strike. Strike began May 12, 1002, duration 182 days Miners aud others thrown out us work 183,000 Number of women affected 106,000 Number of children affected.... 286,000 Capital Invested In coal mines. .$311,0<H),000 Loas to operators lu price of coal 66,100,000 Loss to strikers In wages 28,700,000 Loss to employes other than strikers 0,900,000 Loss to railroads In earnings..., 13,400,000 Loss to business men In the regions 10,800,000 Loss to hutluesk men outside the regions 10,300,000 Cost of maintaining coal ami Iron police 2,300,100