The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-17
President Mitchell Probably VIII Call
Out Every Union Man in
the Anthracite Region.
TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION
GIVING THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
BOARD AUTHORITY TO ACT.
Failure Of Operators to Meet the
Miners Representatives Has
Caused Bitter Feeling.

11AZLEION. Ia, Mdrcn 1o--6y uuanl-
nous vote to-day the delegates to the
United Mine Workers convention. which
has been in session in this city for nearly
a week, decided to suspend work at all
anthracite mines until the operators agreed
TO meet the miners executive board I'm joint
conference before April /. A strike seems
inevitable. The operators have steadfasty
refused to recognize the miners as a body.
and there is not the remotest indication
that they will pay any attention to the de-
mands made by President Mitchell ana
other members of the executive board that
they meet the miners i'm joint conference
to adjust grievances. The resolution au-
thorizing the national executive board TO
declare a strike follows:
Whereas, We have on several occasions
invited and implored the operators 10 meet
with us in joint conference 10 mutually
agree upon and establish a scale OF wages
and conditions of employment for the term
of one year; and,
Whereas. They have repeatedly ignored
our invitations and treeted as with con-
temptuous silence, scorning our invita-
tions and demands alike; and.
Whereas, We believe that we are en-
titled TO much more consideration than we
receive and are fully entitled TO meet with
those who employ us, and are our equals
under the law and Constitution OF our
country. and with them discuss and decide
matters Of mutual interest; therefore,
be Ii
Resolved That we authorize our ma
tional president. national executive beard
and officers Of Districts ], aDd = -Anc-
s9as i gSSsss for isas ss:
and the 1st of April, 1901. In the event OF
their failure 10 secure joint conference
they may, by a majority vote, decide the
policy of our movement. even III it is nee
essary 10 resort TO a suspension or work
to force the justice due us as producers OK
wealth, fully equal with our employers
ALL TO CEASE WORK.
After the resolution had been adopted
Mr.. Mitchell said: "A motion was then
made. and unanimously agreed to. that
all anthracite miners would respond
TO call for a suspension of work should
the executive officers fail to arrange a
joint conference with the operators. II was
agreed that If the operators ignored the
overtures of their employees and forced the
miners to engage in a strike the officials
of the organization are empowered TO re-
quest all men employed in or about mines.
strippngs or collieries, to cease work.;
The convention adjourned after adoption
of the resolution, and President Mitchell
and the officers of three anthracite districts
held a secret conference, at which plans
were discussed for bringing about the de-
sired meeting between operators and
miners. 1t was decided that President
Mitchell and the presidents of the three~
districts would hold another conference on
Monday at Scranton, when their plans viii
be completed. President Mitchell left for
Scranton to-day. and will make that city
his headquarters for the present.
In an interview Mr.. Mitchell admitted
| the probability of strike. but said he
would prefer TO make no definite statement
| in that respect pending negotiations. He
said. however, that the delegates were a
unit i'm their approval OF the action taken
| Regarding our chances for success. prefer
| not to talk" said Mr. Mitchell. The con-
vention's action shows what the mine
workers believe their chances to be- Every
| one said last fall that the miners would
not win. yet they won. Words cannot ex-
| press how we regret being forced 70 con-
slider such a step The miners union
stands for peace. but peace upon a firm
| foundation
/ Mr. Mitchell could not be induced TO
make any statement TO his course in at
tempting to arrange a meeting between the
| operators and representatives of the Mine
| Workers Union, but IT is expected his re-
moval TO Scranton is the result OF desire
TO De in close touch with the mine workers.
| T. ID. Nichols. president OF district No. I.
\ said tonight: Il believe the mine workers
were forced into their acton this morning.
The operators are wholly 10 blame IL
trouble results Conditions which un-
| fair still exist. and a joint conference will
be necessary to adjust them. The United
| Mine Workers OF America represent every
mine i'm the anthracite coal field, and are
authorized TO speak for the miners. The
operators should not be afraid 20 meet the
men i'm joint conference IL their course OF
contentious on scale matters are just.
The most important demands which the
miners would make, IL il said, Is recogni-
tion of their union. which was not insisted
upon during the strike last year and =
Uniform wage scale. In order 90 bring
about the latter condition a slight advance.
1 il f. said will be asked for by tie men IN
the Lehigh. Schuylkin and Wyoming re-
gions Considerable bitterness has been 4
engendered among the delegates by the re-
! fusaI OF the mine officers To confer with
them and many OF them claim that last
| years Scranton agreement has been vio-
lated by the employers ON this account
they assert their determination 20 insist 0slV
] a proper adjustment OF their grievances
Surprise at wfIkesbarre.