The age-herald., 1902-01-22
WOMAN MAKES
 CRAVE CHARGES
Sensational Accusation Against
 Officers of Miners Union

Indianapolis January z. = Charges against President Mitchell Secretary Will son and the executive board of the Uni ted Mine Workers of America were the first order of business before the United Mine Workers convention today. Presi- dent Mitchell, in a voice full of emotion said:
 'Gentlemen of the United Mine Work CTS Convention: The election of officers was to have been the first thing on the programme today, but charges have been made by Miss Molie Meredith, an ex-em- ploye of the National office, affecting my self as president of the national body, against your national secretary. MT. Will son, and also against the national execu- tive board.
 q am unwilling to proceed with the election until these charges have been heard, and I ask Dr. Van Horn of Indiana | to take the chair while the charges are being heard"
 Delegate Harrison of Illinois moved that Miss Meredith be sent for and asked to explain the charges.
 Acting President Van Horn put the mo- tion, and it carried, and he appointed
  Reese of Iowa, and Haskins, of Ohio, committee to go to the Dennison Hotel to escort Miss Meredith to the conven- tion hall.
 Much Excitement.
 There was much suppressed excitement | throughout the convention as 1t awaited the hearing of the charges. l. Delegate Reese, on returning to the hall bringing Miss Meredith. said he had prepared the charges in the form Of typewritten manuscript Reese said Miss Meredith would read the statement. The reading of the charges presented an un- usual scene in a miners convention. One delegate moved that Reese read the staten ent for the young woman, but Miss Meredith insisted on reading the charges and raising her voice, read in a clear tone.
 Miners" said Miss Meredith, 'T wish to read this myself, and then if it has not been heard some one else may read it.'
 Acting President Van Horn said: Miss Meredith will read this herself. Go on Mollie."
 The charges concern the shortage of ex-Secretary Treasurer Pearson and al- lege that President Mitchell and Secre- tary-Treasurer Wilson did not give out all the facts concerning Pearson's action and that they ''wllfully' lied to the miners committee year ago. An in- vestigation of the books was demanded to see how much Pearson's shortage is. It is intimated that both Mitchell and Wilson sought to protect Pearson and for that reason did not give out all the facts. Miss Meredith charges that Pear son frequently presented bills for double the amount of purchases She also says Pearsons extra money" amounted to 5000 a year, while Mitchell and Wilson reported that he had taken only $160. Miss Meredith also says that Mitchell allowed Pearson to go away as sick man and send in his resigna ton from French Lick Springs.
 Mitchell Denies It.
 President Mitchell made affidavit that the statement he made to the Mine Workers convention a year ago was the truth and the whole truth. Following the conclusion of President Mtchelrs statement there was pro tracted discussion. resolution was adopted calling for the appointment or a committee of seven to investigate all charges and report to the convention.
 President Mitchell today announced the following scale committeeman:
 John P. Reese, district No. 13; W. H. Haskins, No. S. W. D. Vanhorn, No. Il; w. R. Russell No. 12; William Wilson, No. 8; John Fahy, No. g; Thomas Duffy, No. I; Patrick Dolan. No 5; Bernard Rice. No. 2; James D, Wood, No. 23; George Richards, No. 25; Henry Collins, No. l.
 The chairmen of the other committees arc:
 Committee on Transportation-G. W. Savage. district No. 6.
 Committee on Officers Reports-George w. Hartlein. No. 9.
 Committee on Appeals and Grievances W. F. Williams. No. -
 Committee on ResoI>. ons-Thos. Rey- holds, No. F.