The age-herald., 1902-05-17
LLM|NERS TO BE BROUGHT IN THE STRUGGLE Convention Decides on a Plan Which Would Para|yze
 Business NATIONAL CONVENTION
 WILL BE CALLED SOON Object Is to Bring All of the Bitumin- ous Coal Miners Into the Strike. Would Affect 5000
 MeM

 mine workers in convention today, in or der to win their strike unanimously de- cided upon a plan that, If carried into successful operation, would practically tie up the industries of the country, paralyze business and inconvenience the people throughout the United States. It IS their desire that special national con vention of the United Mine Workers of America be caled as soon as practicable for the purpose of endeavoring to have all the bitumipDus mine workers, both organized and nnorganized, involved in the anthracite miners struggle. The an- nouncement was officially made at noon today by President John Mitchell in a statement giving the result of the delib- erations of the delegates in convention. This statement Is as follows:
 Mr. Mitcheil's Statement.
 "At this mornings session the conven- tion pettioned the national officers to issue call for a national convention of all miners employed in the United States for the purpose of considering the situa- ton in the anthracite field If the desire of the anthracite miners Is carried into effect national suspension of coal min ing will be inaugurated For the present the engineers, firemen and pump runners will continue at work. All mine workers were advised to remain at their homes, abstain from frequenting saloons. and un- der all circumstances obey the law"
 MT. Mitchell said that if a general strike did take place 1t would involve al- k,<- AI.z Al ran the coal mines of the United States.
 If a special convention is called and the miners succeed in their object, 1t would directly affect 449, 900 men, who are em- ployed in and about the coal mines of the country. Coal would soon become scarce and this would ultimately result In the tying up of railroads and all sorts of industries that use large quantities Of the fuel.
 An absolutely trust worthy source Is au- thority for the statement that the special convention will be called, probably at h. dianapolis In the course of several weeks.
 Many More Will Follow.
 National Secretary Treasurer W. B. Wilson of Indianapolis said today that within the next two or three weeks, re- gardless of the special convention 3O00O men in Virginia and West Virginia and from 15,OO0 to 10000 In the soft coal re- zion of Central Pennsylvania will be on strike.
 A point has been raised that the United Mine Workers cannot call out the men employed by companies with whom the miners have yearly contracts or wage agreement, but Secretary Wilson said such is not the case. He said a general convention has power to abrogate con- tracts If 1t deems such action necessary
 It Is probable that the engineers fire men and pump runners from the anthra- cite miners will be permitted to remain at work for the present at least
 Notwithstanding that 10000 men have been idle for the last five days. no dis turbances of any kind have been re- ported.
 arations for long struggle. Mine mules are being brought to the surface and placed at pasture; clerks and other en- ployes are being laid off and other steps have been taken to keep down expenses. The coal carriers are laying off coal train crews every day and the local electric railroad company, which has lines to all the surrounding towns, has reduced it's service 50 per cent and placed its employees on half time.
 Business generally Is stagnant and coal in this section Is becoming scarce. Many of the foreign mine laborers, in anticipa- ton of a prolonged struggle, have left the region and others are preparing to fol- low.
 Civic Federation Thinking.
 Washington. May 16.-The National Civic Federation has under serious con- sideration the means whereby 1t may be helpful in bringing about a termination of the anthracite coal strike. Ralph M Easley, secertary 2f the federation, came from New York this afternoon and had conference with Senator Hanna and Sam uel Gompers this afternoon. Arbitration and tender of the good offices of the federation were among the matters con- sidered, but definite action was postponed.
 
 Civ ThnIIeand PeflInees