Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-09-07
WIN AMecf I Many.

4 a-. i
VIII Affect MANY.
indianapolis. Ind, Sept. The con-
dition in the anthracite region OF Penn
sylvania was not considered at yester-
days meeting Of the executive board OF
the United Mine Workers OF America"
said President John Mitchell. AS a
matter OF fact have not placed the
matter before the board" he continued,
but 1t has been made a special order
for tOday's session, and will be taken up.
the first thing in the meeting. said
some time ago that In my opinion there
would be big strike unless the operat-
ors agree to meet US in a wage confer
ence. I have no reason to believe 9th
erwise now. This is my own opinion. I
have not talked with the other members
OF the board about is.
Information from the anthracite re-
gion indicates that the operator will
not meet us, and from this you can draw
your own conclusion asito what the OUT
come will be-"
The board held two sessions While
the refusal Of anthracite operators to
meet the miners and their Ignoring of
demands made upon them for an ad-
vance in wages was not directly consid-
cred, the members of the board placed
themselves In possession Of valuable in
formation. Reports were heard from
members OF the board and from organ
izers who had been organizing in the
.bituminous field. These reports show
clearly that there has been big gain
in membership and that numerically the
union is stronger than it has ever been
Another point to be gained by becoming
informed upon the conditions in the Bit
luminous districts is that the board
members will be in position to Judge
whether the organization can control a
sufficient territory to prevent the ship
ment Of bltuminous coal into the an
thracfte field in the event strike is or
.dered.
w. D. Ryan. secretary-treasurer OF
the Illinois district. Is here and in con-
.sultation with the members OF the
board. The treasury OF the Illinois
miners Is full. and 1t is reported that
the district controls about 5000, ,O00.
Without the consent Of the local unions
OF the district Of Illinois this money
would not be at the command of the
national board and 1t is thought Mr.
Ryan is here for the purpose of pledg-
ing the financial assistance of his dis
5trict to the board in the event OF a
strike.
D Vice President Thomas Lewis, of
Ohio. when asked for his views upon
the situation, said:
There are so many things to be con-
sidered that am not prepared to say
just what I think best for the interests
of the miners. / have not been in the
anthracite field. and while keep pret-
Sty we'll posted on what is goine on in
mining circles, am not fully informed
upon this one point. We are dealing
came before the heads Of any labor or
ganization, and 1t will be necessary for
us to proceed very cautiously. If we
get into the fight we must win, and we
will certainly not order a strike until
the situation has been thoroughly can
Evassed. 81
Every member of the board said last
night that he had not become sufficient
sly familiar with the facts to venture
an opinion. but all realized the gravity
of the proposition with which they
must deal. The general sentiment is
that there will be strike.
All the members Of the board are
present except Fred Dilcher. Of Ohio,
who is expected soon. He has been in
the anthracite region and is well post
ed on the situation there.
Approximately over 1.0OO.000 people
VIII be directly affected by q strike In
the anthracite region.
Hope to Avert Strike.
Hazelton. Pa. Sept, 7.-A statement.
prepared with the hope Of effecting an
arbitration conference and averting a
strike in the anthracite region. wac ts-
sgued today by the district officers OF the