The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-17
MINERS VLL
M : TODAY
Que Sn Of Strike will
Be Settled.
ANTHRACITERS FAVOR 1T
BituminOuS Miners Desire to
Remain at Work.
Mitchell Can Control the Delegates
Absolutely, But the President
Of the Organization is
Strangely Reticent.
ANTHRACITERS FAVOR 1T

Indianapolis, Ind. July 16-Tomorrow
morning the national convention of the
United Mine Workers will assemble in
Tomlinsons Hall to discuss the advisa-
bility of calling a strike to aid the an
thracite men who have been out in the
East for several weeks.
The action of the Convention is uncer-
tain, although the situation indicates that
there will be no walk-out of the soft coal
men.
There are many circumstances. how
ever, that may change the situation so
that speculation regarding the result of
the Convention is practically worthless.
If President Mitchell would declare his
personal preferences, it would not be diff
ficult to foretell the outcome. At present,
he controls the situation absolutely and
can swing the delegates either way. He
will not say openly what he wishes. how
ever, asserting that 1t is the province of
the delegates to decide regarding tho
strike, and that while he is willing to
advise under no circumstances will he
assume to dictate to the Convention.
Mr. Mitchell said this afternoon, how
ever, that the Convention would take ac-
ton which would result in the winning
of the strike by the anthracite men in
the East.
Contending for Principle.
He also said that the men on strike
were contending for principle for which
the United Mine Workers had long been
committed and that 1t was the duty of
the parent body to aid them by every
| er these utterances could be construed
into meaning that he was in favor of a
strike. Mr. Mitchell was seized with a
| paroyxism of reticence.
If no strike is ordered by the Conven-
! ton. it is likely that action will be taken
with the object of. curtailing the output
| Of solt coal and every EFFORT will be
made to keep 1t out of the anthracite re-
| gion. To this. end the bituminous men
will decide to work fewer hours a day
| and no more coal will be mined than is
necessary. If 1t is decided that this pol
| icy can be carried out, the chances of a
strike will he greatly lessened.
The sentiment among the delegates as
far as II can be determined from those
who are already here. is against strike.
John P. Reese, President of the Iowa
miners declares that he is for a strike
only as last resort. J. w. Howe. Pres
ident of the Tennessee miners, will not
declare himself. saying he will use his
best judgment, but the members of his
delegation say they are not in favor of a
strike If 1t can be avoided. Daniel Young.
President of the Maryland delegation,
takes the same position as Mr.. Howe and
his followers says, as do those of the
Tennessee man. that they do not wish, a
strike If they can keep out of 1t. The
he and ra
instructed to fight against it on the
floor of the Convention. Alexander
Patterson. who represents the
Colorado. miners. says that he favors a
strike only as the last resort Indiana men
are against a strike. The delegates from
Illinois are partly uninstructed and 9TH
ers have instructions against strike. w.
F. williams, President of the Michigan
delegation, said this afternoon that men
from his State have never declared in
favor of a strike.
Anthraciters Favor Strike.
The delegates from the anthracite re-
gions ar estrongly in favor of strike,
but they ar eurgin gtheir views with
moderation There seems to be but little
selfshness in the attitude OF any of the
delegations. and all practically declare
themselves as being anxious for the
greatest good for the greatest number OF
the organization. The men who say they
are against a strike say at the same time
that they are willing to strike II they
see no other way to aid the anthracite
miners.
The anthracite miners declare that while
they are anxious to have all the aid that
can help them to win the strike, they are
not disposed to force the b!tuminous min,
ers to break their contracts unless 1t
proves for the salvation of the organiza-
ton.
1t is not likely that a vote on the ques-
ton of striking will be taken before Sat-
urday From estimates made by Secre-
tary Wilson, Of the Mine Workers. the to-
tai vote cast will be in the neighborhood
of 500 Basing the vote upon the law
Of the organization, requiring the vote 10
be based upon tho average paid up mem
bership for the three months preceding the
month in which the convention is held,
the vote will be as follows: District l..
anthracite, 1876 votes; No I. anthracite, uS
votes: No O. anthracite. Isl votes; total
anthracite. 7SS Central Pennsylvania dis
trict. hituminous, $50 votes; Pittsburg dis
t,ict 1902: Ohio, 2o9; Indiana block, IS;
Indiana tbituminousD. Y, Illinois. 3S7:
Iowa. lis: Kansas, Sc; Colorado, IA; Ma
ryland. 9. Virginia and West Virginia
q; Tennessee. 81; Alabama, a; Arkansas
and Indian Territory. o; Kentucky. 20;
Michigan. %. Missouri, %; total, hitumi-
nous. .n6 Grand total. 21A
Tomorrow morning caucus of the men
from the anthracite regions will he held
for the purpose OF arranging their vote so
that it can be cast as a unit and at
night the men from Ohio will caucus.