The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-14
Convention Will Probably
Follow the Advice
of Mitchell.
STRIKE FEVER INFECTS MEN
HazletOn Takes on Holiday Appearance
and Thousands of Idle Mine Workers
Parade the Streets to Sound of Fife
and Drum-Action Expected Tomorrow

HAZLETON, Pa, May 1.-THE miners
convention opened at 10 o'clock in the
Opera House, and half an hour later ad-
ijourned until 1:3e O'Clock. when the COM
mfttee on credentials viii report
When the session opened President Nit
chelI addressed the delegates, thanking
them for their expression CT confidence.
Your meeting here today" be said, is
fraught with great responsibilities to you
You are going to decide a most important
movement to the coal industry, and per-
haps the most important labor movement
Of the world You will decide what is
best, is my earnest belief"
The opening session was free to the pub
lie, and for that reason Mr. Mitchell did
not discuss the issues at stake.
The streets of this little mining town
we're filled with sober-faced men this
morning. This is the date fixed for the
anthracite miners CT Pennsylvania to de-
eide, through instructed delegates in con-
yention here, whether or not conditions
warrant continuation Of the three days
strike ordered By President Mitchell.
Whether the chances of success, at this
dull season, and with the known stub
born indifference of the operators staring
them in the face, outweigh the Possibili-
ties of defeat in a struggle which might
continue for months, is the all-impoTtant
matter the six OF seven hundred delegates
here have to decide for themselves.
viii Last Until Tomorrow.
It is possible that today's convention,
which opened in the local opera house,
may be continued over until tomorrow.
Considerable time viii be consumed in
organization and debate today.
According to popular belief President
Duffy, District No. Z, and President Fa-
hey, District No. 8, are fighting strike
propositions more or less strenuously,
while President Nichols. District No I,
who represents nearly 1900 miners, or
half OF the union men in the coal fields
of the State, will fight for a continuance
Of the present tie-up-
President Mitchell, IL is reported, has
not yet committed himself either way
Many delegates have been instructed to
vote according 70 the instruction of
Mitchell, and his view may sway the con-
vention for or against strike
No Hope of Concessions.
Practically all hope of receiving con-
cessions from the operators has been
abandoned and the convention will no
doubt vote on the direct question Many
delegates can be found here who admit
they have been instructed to vote for a
strike. Many refuse to discuss their in
structions. They vili oppose strike or
abide by Mitcheu's advice.
For hours last night the strains OF na-
tionaI airs from fife and drum filed the
streets. Thousands of strikers from
towns around marched here to serenade
their leader. Mitchell Strike fever was
rife among the men.
Mitchell made two addresses, II which
be declared that this was strictly a mat
ter for the miners to settle themselves.
Nearly all the delegates arrived last night
and this morning The town today is
full OF excitement Several delegates
from isolated districts brought carrier
pigeons and the moment the result is
known the birds viii be released to carry
the news back
Has Holiday Appearance.
Broad Street was bright with flags and
had a holiday appearance Takers sold
thousands Of United Mine Workers
badges and flags, on which were printed
the features OF President Mitchell.
Before the convention met, President
Mitchell said: The miners delegates
have many important matters 20 discuss,
and the convention viii continue through
today and tomorrow at least I don't
know what the result viii be-
Along the Lehigh Valley Railroad from
Wfikesbarre TO Hazleton are thousands
OF empty coal cars on sidetracks. In all
that vast mining territory there are few
evidences Of any supply Of anthracite on
hand
Three weeks OF q strike, p said Unit
ed Mine official today, and the country's
supply would be very short, despite the
statement TO the contrary. It is true some
zeal is stored at the seaboard. but in tho
mining fields the supply is now practically
Ill Three weeks Of absolute idleness
viii make vast inroads in the supply"
Hanna Is Powerless.
For the hrst time since the negotiations
with the operators began the miners lead
ers this morning gave up hope Of Senator
Hanna being able 20 avert a strike by
inducing the operators to either arbitrate
or to directly make concessions. From
the time that he arranged tht meeting OF
the contendiIfg forces before the Civic
Federation the miners have looked upon
him as the one intermediary between
them and the operators.
The report this moEzing that the ope-
Fators refused 10 receive further offers
from him of plans TO avert q stTss.sza took
away the last hope II is known that the
delay OF the Scranton conventio:> in de-
Gliding TO issge the temporary strike order
was due TO Senator Hanna's erJrts II
was only upon receipt OF a message from
Senator Hanna at 80 last FRIDAY night
saying he could do nothing, that Mitchell
issued the suspension order.
Railroad Men Affected.
READING, Pa, May lit is estimated
that nearly 5000 raiIroaders on the Phila-
delphia and Reading system viii be af-
fected by q strike of the anthracite min
ers. Mere than $50 crews are identified
with the coal trade and all viii be laid
OF. The Reading Company has anticipat-
Cd a strike by loading all the coal mined
last week into cars and clearing the
breakers The yaFdmasters az Port Rich
Inond. Philadelphia, have been laid OF and
the shamekin division block houses closed
Extra crews have been called to the
Lebanon division to haul cars to the
soft coal regions.