The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-20
MINE WORKERS COMING
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION WILL
BEGIN TOMORROW MORNING.
1t Is Expected to De the Greatest
Meeting Ever Held by Them En-
gineers Capitulate.
10 EAST WASHINGTON STREET.

The hardy coal miners, who, IL is said,
spend two-thirds OF their waking life be-
meath the surface of the earth, began ar
irving by dozens yesterday for the conven-
ton. which begins at Tomlinson Hall to-
morrow morning. Last night they came in
greater numbers. and 1t is estimated that
there are already several hundred in the
city To-day most OF the delegates are ex-
pected to be here. and the convention will
likely open with the full quote OF 1000 del
egates. representing the coal industry in
all parts of the country. The convention
headquarters are at the Occidental Hotel.
where most of the newcomers congregated
yesterday to discuss matters to come be-
fore the convention.
- The officers of the United Mine Workers
AAv this will be the greatest convention
the organization has ever held. Since the
convention last year the membership of the
United Mine Workers has more than
doubled. and the organization is now al
most 200.0 go strong. There are yet some
districts that are not organized. and to
these the miners will give large part OF
their attention during the convention.
The convention will be in session ten
days. The miners usually require two
weeks for their convention. but as they
are 10 meet the operators in Joint conven-
ton at Columbus, o.. Jan. 80, the time OF
the session had TO be cut down. As IL will
be necessary 10 transact business with
greater expediency. every effort has been
made to facilitate matters.
BALLOTS PREPARED.
To carry on the election with greater
dispatch. Secretary Wilson has had pre-
pared ballots similar TO those used In civil
elections with the names of all the candi-
dates properly classified and small squares
opposite each name to contain a cross for
each candidate voted for. President
Mitchell. Vice President Lewis and Sec
rotary Treasury Wilson will be reelected,
as they have no opposition. For MEM
bers OF the executive board, delegates to
the American Federation Of Labor and
for the auditing committee there will be
contests.
Souvenir badges have been prepared for
the delegates. They are very pretty. The
recognized emblem OF the mine workers,
circular device bearing the initial letters
OF the United Mine Workers and the motto
Eight hours" is suspended from the off,
cial badge by a red. white and blue silk rib
bon Hanging over this ribbon is a small
piece of polished anthracite coal taken
from the anthracite fields OF Pennsylvania
where the memorable strike was won last
October. IN this strike there were 10000
men out and in not one case was there
rfoting. The purpose of this emblem Is two
fold-to represent the industry In which
the miners are engaged and the peaceful
method by which the greatest strike in
America was conducted and won.
The committee representing the execu-
. tive board OF the United Mine Workers
and the representatives OF the Coal Hoist
ing Engineers held another conference yes
ferday TO consider the proposition OF the
engineers with reference TO that organiza-
ton placing itself under the jurisdiction
Of the mine workers. While decision
vas reached IL Is unofficially stated the
proposition will be accepted and the en-
gfneers brought into the United Mine
Workers This viii not only increase the
membership OF the big union. but will also
enlarge its Jurisdiction into field that
has hitherto given the miners and opera
tors much annoyance