The Topeka state journal., 1902-05-15
MITCHELL IS
THEIR MOSES.
Miners Look to Him to Lead
Them Out
Of the Wilderness in Which
They Find Themselves.
STRIKE NOW OR NEVER
Appears to Be the Prevailing
Sentiment at HazeltOn.
National President Makes His
Report to the Convention.

Hazelton. Pa, May 15.-The eonven-
tion of anthracite mine workers called
to decide the matter of making per
manent the present suspension of work
in the hard coal field resumed its ses-
sion in the opera house this morning at
9 o'clock. The question was not reach
ed at yesterdays session. owing to the
inability of the credentials committee to
complete its work. The committee made
its final report this morning and after
a few unimportant matters had been
disposed OF the question of the hour was
introduced by President Mitchell. This
was IN the form Of an exhaustive report
of his negotiations with the civic fedora
tion and the presidents of the coal COM
panies
The same impenetrable veil of secrecy
surrounds the proceedings Of the con-
vention today and no forecast Of the
result can be made with any degree of
accuracy. The belief born with the in
terVieW with President Mitchell yester-
day that he has definite plan that VIII
help the miners in their fight is stronger
than ever today and many of the dele
gates hope that the national president
viii be able to lead them out Of the diff
Guilty. The strike sentiment is still
strong but it cannot be said that it is
as great as it was yesterday. Those
who advocate a permanent suspension
If no concessions are granted by the
operators, are continuing their cam
One of them said today: we must
work out our own salvation It is strike
now or never. We have delayed it long
enough and we cannot now turn back
1t was reported this morning that
President Fahy of district No. who
was said to be against a strike. has
finally decided to stop pleading for
peace and let the miners do as they
please. President Fahy's position, It is
said, has met with considerable opposi-
tion in his district.
President Mitchell reiterated today
that he would advise the miners what
course to pursue when the proper time
comes. He declined to indicate whether
this advice would be in the nature of a
Well-laid plan, saying that he would not
like to give his ideas to the newspapers
IN advance of their presentation to the
convention. Many opinions can be had
regarding the nature of Mr.. MitchelIs
course. The leaders are not talking but
the delegates who have not yet been
taken into the confidence Of the mine
workers are profuse in opinions. They
are. however. 50 varying that it is useless
to repeat them. There is no doubt that
there will be many propositions intro
duced by delegates for consideration
and it is possible that the debate on
them may continue until tomorrow.
! There is a rumor afiOat that President
Mitchell is trying to delay action ia
the hope that something may come from
the other side. This Mr.. Mitchell denies
and he says that all negotiations with
the mine operators are off. He hopes
that the convention will come to a final
decision today.
The convention took recess at Il
o'clock until 80 p. m. No information
was given out relative to the action Of
this mornings session
The delegates reassembled at 1870 p.
m. The speeches up to 2:30 o'clock are
said to be strongly in favor Of strike.
None of the national officers of the or
ganizatiOn has addressed the convention.
Gossip coming from the hal points
strongly to a strike