Waterbury Democrat., 1902-07-18
NO GENERAL STRIKE
Miners Convention Not Like
 ly to Favor Oneo
MITCHELL OPPOSES SUCH A STEP.
Opponents of Soft Coal Sympathetic Action Apparently Control the
 Indianapolis Meeting by Large Majority.

Large Majority.
 INDIANAPOLIS, July 1S.-If the voice and influence of President Mitch ell of the United Mine Workers shall prevail with the members of his or ganizStion, there will be no general strike of the orga pization. The chances of such a step being taken now are very remote, In his speech in the con- vention yesterday afternoon MT. Mitch ell advised strongly against strike and urged that the bituminous miners continue at work and that system Of assessment upon the members of the order, which he outlined, be carried into effect as the best means of afford ing aid and support to the striking an- thracite men in the east.
 His recommendation if they had been adopted by the convention would have settled the entire question for which the convention was called, and an immediate adjournment would have followed. A motion to adopt the sug- gestionS of President Mitchell pro- voked long debate, in which the gen. eral sentiment was against the order- ing of the strike. The men from the anthracite regions finally made re quest that they be allowed to hold a caucus to determine upon an expres- sion of opinion as to what they thought the convention should do and asked an adjournment of the convention for this purpose. Their request was granted and the adjournment taken. The men who were in favor of strike were in
 . Sx, T, tily, Three speeches were made by mem- bers of the anthracite districts asking that the soft coal men walk out, and twice as many were made by the an- thracite men urging the soft coal men to continue at work.
 When the convention met in the aft ernoon, a motion was made and car- ried that the convention go at once into executive session. John F. Reese of Iowa moved reconsideration of the vote by which this action was taken, declaring that in view of the momen- tous issues depending upon the action of the convention secret sessions were undesirable. ''The entire United States is watching this convention" said MT. Reese, "and we must take no chances of being placed before the country in wrong light. If we go into executive session, the newspapers will get it just the same. The papers always get the proceedings of the convention when it goes into executive session, and they always will, even if they have to buy their news from some of the gentlemen who are in favor of an executive ses- sion."
 The speech of Mr. Reese carried the day, the vote was reconsidered, and it was decided that the meetings of the convention would be open to the pub lie President Mitchell then made his address.
 The meeting of the anthracite min- CTS, held after the adjournment of the convention, resulted in nothing but the conclusion that there is no way in which strike can be forced and that those members of the anthracite dis tricts who are anxious for strike will be disappointed. There was long de- bate in the caucus, and finally vote was decided upon, but when it had been partially taken it was seen that the result would be so strong in favor of upholding the recommendations of President Mitchell that the vote was not concluded.
 While there is an element among the anthracite men that is greatly disap- pointed, it is not likely that any fight will be attempted upon the floor of the convention.
 President Mitchell said:
 'I am greatly pleased with the out come of work done by the convention so far, and I lave no doubt that the policy outlined in my speech today will be carried out substantially. Some mi nor changes may be made, but the poll, cy as whole will be followed by the convention I am certain"