The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-17

HAZLETON. Pa, May 16-The anthra-
cite mine workers in convention to-day. in
order to win their strike unanimously de-
cided on a plan that, if carried into sue
cessful operation. would practically tie UP
the industries of the country, paralyze
business and inconvenience the people
throughout the United States. 1t is their
desire that a special national convention of
called as soon as practicable for the pur-
pose OF endeavo-ing to have all the bitum-
inous mine workers. both organized and
unorganized, involved in the anthracite
miners struggle This announcement was
officially made at noon to-day by President
John Mitchell in a statement giving the re-
suit Of the deliberations OF the delegates in
konvention. This statement follows:
AT this mornings session the convention
petitioned the national officers 10 issue
call for a national convention of all miners
employed in the United States for the pur-
pose Of considering the situation in the
anthracite field. If the desire of the an
thracite miners is carried into effect q ma
tional suspension OF coal mining will be in
augurated All questions of detail as to
the direction of the strike in the anthracite
field were referred to the district and na-
tiOnal officers. Definite plans will be out
lined within the next few days 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 under all instances observe the law.
WILL. AFFECT $4,000 MEN
If a special national convention is called
and the miners succeed in their object 1t
would directly affect $4,000 men who are
employed 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 in
dustries that use large quantities OF the
fuel 1t is doubted by some interested per-
sons here who are closely watching devel-
opments that such a stupend0us movement
could be brought about, for the reason that
the business interests of the country would
not stand idly by and permit such plan
20 be put into effect. The striking miners
are enthusiastic over the conventions ac-
tion, and most of them see only success
In the proposition
An absolutely trustworthy source is au-
thority for the statement that the special
convention will be called probably at In
dianapolis in the course of several weeks.
According to the rules of the United Mine
workers a petition signed by five mine
workers districts is necessary TO call a
speciaI convention. The three anthracite
districts are unanimous for such meeting,
and If is likely that the West Virginia dis
4rict and the Michigan district will consent
,o the issuance of the call. The two latter
districts now have small, but stubborn
strikes in progress, and they VIII duoouesS
consent TO the call so that they too may
receive the benefit Of whatever may De ac
complished- p v,u
National Secretary-treasurer W. % WI
son. Of indianapolis. said to-day that "lthii
the next two or three weeks resaiu -
the special convention, 5000 men III WI
einia and West Virginia and from I',OOV :
20eoO in the soft-coal region OF cehtidi I eiii'
svIvania will be on strike 1heS VII "
called out, he said, for the purpose u AOl
ing the mine owners to give theih HiSAe
wages and incidentally 10 help lhe a"'''' :
cite workers These men, ne went O.' :
say, are partly organized, Local uiiio"S ,'s-
ing been estab bliShed IN ali ioOoi4 4SiS
regions, and he felt confident that the noi,
union men will respond to the striAe Ca
as readii,- as did the anthracite miners
the fall of 1900
AGREEMENTS WORTHLESS.
point has been raised that the Oii'0
Mine Workers cannot call out the me
employed ty companies with WHOM -
miners have yearly contracts OF
agreements, but Secretary Wilson saiu 'iia ~
such Is not the case. He SAID tha' =,
mine workers organization respects "
such agreements or contracts, out aoue
that a general convention has power u o.
rogate them if IL deems such 1tition neo.s
sary. This Is seldom IL ever zone. II =.
life OF the union was endangered, MI F" =
son said. then a convention wouiu CO
out mCn working under contracts or aei g
ments. There is nothing In these conPa0''
he said. 10 prevent such action. III eoi
pany working under agreement OF con
tract should send coal into terri'oi''
where a strike is on by the Mine "orAe''
%<isa- Secretary Wilson said the men s''