At Wilkes-Barre

Peace on earth, good will to men seldom comes about except when an angel stalks behind the scenes. John L. Lewis, international President of the United Mine Workers, has not joined the angelic host. Nevertheless, at the biennial convention of District 1 of the United Mine Workers, held at Wilkes-Barre, Mr. Lewis pulled wires which brought an unexpected peace. President Lewis wanted no division of his supporters while he was carrying on negotiations for a new contract with the mine operators.

Three hundred seventy-five delegates assembled from the anthracite region, bearing the standards of William J. Brennan, conservative President of District 1, and Rinaldo Cappellini, radical President-elect of that district. Everyone was set for the fray. On the first day Brennan's followers presented a resolution to the effect that Cappellini was ineligible to take office, not because improperly elected--he had a substantial majority at the elections some time ago --but because of his radical leanings. Brennan's followers were ready to stage a vigorous fight to prevent the young Italian radical from taking office. Next day the resolution was mysteriously withdrawn.

On the day following, Cappellini's followers offered a resolution to reinstate him as a district organizer. Several months ago Brennan had suspended Cappellini as a district organized. Cappellini came back in the Spring elections and ran against Brennan (candidate of Lewis, international President) for the Presidency of District 1; Cappellini won. His reinstatement as district organizer would have been another rebuke to Brennan. The Cappellini group were there in force to pass the resolution. Then it, too, was mysteriously withdrawn.

The delegates did not understand what was going on. Tony Pann, Cappellini supporter, rose and demanded to know what sort of politics were being played; the delegates would not be kept in the dark. The Secretary -and -Treasurer rose and replied that the resolution had been withdrawn to promote harmony; both sides were at peace. Calls were raised for Cappellini. He himself must explain.

The one-armed leader rose and went to the platform. "You wonder what has been patched up," he exclaimed. "You might just as well remove that wonder from your minds. You showed confidence in me when you elected me President. If you haven't the same confidence now, I don't want the office." Thereupon he changed the subject and talked about corruption in the district.

As he started to leave the platform Brennan came forward. They shook hands and Brennan raised his voice to the audience: "If for no other reason than that we are shaking hands, you ought to be satisfied. This is the first time I have spoken to brother Cappellini in a year. I want his administration to be a success." The delegates sat in mute astonishment. Then they began to cheer.

Two days later the question of Cappellini's election was acted upon. He was formally declared President, without opposition. On August 1, Cappellini will take office and supplant Brennan on the subcommittee which is negotiating for a new wage agreement with the anthracite mine operators. He will take his seat with good will in his heart and some obligations to John L. Lewis, his leader.