The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-15
Officers of the Mine workers Union
Are Opposed tn "a General strike,
but May Not Prevail.
ADDRESS BY JOHN MITCHELL
WHO ATTENDED THE 'LoNGsHoRE-
MEMS CONVENTION AT CHICAGO.
Failure to Win the Anthracite strike,
He Said, wouId BE Blow TO
Labor Organizations.

The action Of the special convention OF
the United Mine Workers. which is to meet
here Thursday. is as problematical 10 the
officers OF the union as 10 the public. A
spirit of unrest is apparent about head
quarters. the officers acknowledging that
it will be easy matter TO control the
convention and keep down the radical ele-
ment. Delegates that are being elected
TO the convention by local unions are gen
orally uninstructed. being left unhampered.
TO vote in harmony with the sentiment ex-
pressed at the convention. While there Is
apprehension OF sharp contest a prevail
ing opinion that a strike will be averted
is gaining strength. Instead OF strike.
it is believed that the bituminous miners
will give financial support to the strikers
in the anthracite region and the bitumin-
Gus miners of West Virginia.
The most serious phase of the situation
and the feature most likely TO precipitate
a general strike is the effort of the anthra-
cite operators to break the union. Ii is
now recognized that the tight i'm that re-
gion is no longer for an increase in wages
and betterment of working conditions. but
between the union of miners and the
anthracite coal combination for existence.
TO substantiate this belief. To have the
organization broken in the anthracite re-
gion would mean loss of 10000 members.
besides the general dissension in the ranks
of the union that would follow such ca
tastrophe. The radical element in the
union. naturally more apprehensive than
the conservative, will lead a movement for
a general suspension OF work with great
activity. If it is demonstrated i'm the con-
vention that the organization is really in
danger the forces of the radicals will be
rapidly increased and the officers them
selves may be driven into indorsing a gen.
eral strike if it becomes necessary TO save
the union.
RADICALS ENCOURAGED.
The fact that the United Mine Workers
have the support OF every labor organiza-
tion in the country encourages those in
favor of a general strike TO agitate radical
action. The outside unions are not indors-
ing a general suspension OF work by the
miners. neither they opposed TO it. but
it is known that many labor leaders have
pledged the support of their organizations
whenever the miners ask for assistance.
The officers Of the mine workers are op-
posed TO a general strike, but the decision
rests with the convention. The mine work
ers. as a rule, observe the advice OF their
officers. particularly Of this administration.
but should the delegates become too enthu-
siastic in their cause they may take the
convention in their own hands. The dele
gates sent 10 the national conventions gen.
orally represent the best informed and
brightest men in the local unions, and are
usually pretty level-headed However,
there never was such a complicated issue
confronting them before. and the cosyen-
tion itself can only determine what may
happen.
President John Mitchell will be at head
quarters to-day and will take charge OF
affairs there for the first time since the an
thracite strike began. Miss Elizabeth
Morris. his private secretary, arrived Sun
day and yesterday was busiy engaged in
preparing for the reception Of President
Mitchell and the convention. She has be-
come known as the lone woman who can
keep a secret" and has little 10 say of the
coming convention. Secretary Wilson says
Of the convention: II don't know what
will happen" s. NJ. Sexton. editor OF the
United Mine Workers Journal, said yester-
day: Il wish l knew much about the
convention now as 1 Will one week from to-
ii