Evening journal., 1902-07-19
MINERS HOLD
BIG CONVENTION
NitChen'S Recommendation
Referred to Committee
WILL RAISE $4,000 WEEKLY
Leader Advises Delegates to Dis
miss AnV Thought Of General
Strike

indianapolis, July l9.-At the con-
fusion Of a secret session yesterday
afternoon the recommendations of
President Mitchell were referred 20 a
special committee, which is to report
back to the convention today. This
committee consists of President Mitch
ell, Vice President Lewis, Secretary
Wilson and the president of each dis
triot which is taking part in the con
vcntion. The committee remained in
session until midnight, when It ad-
journed without completing it's work.
70 reconvened this morning. While
its task is unfinished, it is practically
certain that the committee will urge
the adoption of the recommendations
of President Mitchell and the levyine
upon the members of the union OF an
arbitrary assessment of 81 per week
where there is no check Office. and OF
10 per cent. per week in localities
where there is a check Office.
At the opening of the executive ses-
sion Vice President Lewis took the
floor and delivered an energetic speech
on the amendment offered by Delegate
Haskins to the effect that the fund to
be raised for the aid of the anthracite
miners be extended TO all of the strik-
ing miners where their strike has been
sanctioned by the general organization.
He declared that he thought all the
miners should be taken care Of in like
manner.
President Mitchell then took the
floor to speak for the adoption of the
recommendations made in his speech
OF Thursday He told the convention
that the strikes in West Virginia and
elsewhere were being protected by the
general organization, under the regu-
lar assessments Of the union, but that
the assessment which was under dis
| cussion was necessary for the support
of the anthracite strikers alone, and
should not be diverted from its pur-
pose. 1T is possible that other strikes
may come" he said. land then under
/ the precedent which general distribu-
tiOn of the fund TO be raised would
create, these later strikes could claim
their share in the fund. and it would
be so depleted as TO fail entirely OF It's
purpose"
Mr.. Mitchell declared that the cost
Of maintaining strikes varied accord
( ing TO places and conditions. I'm the
anthracite regions" he said. "the coun.
try is thickly settled. There are mills
and factories, and il is possible for tn,
men on strike to secure employment
They are then no burden on the gen.
oral organization but are even abl,
to help it,
4 Rir. Mitchell assured the convention
that the strike in the pittsburg dis
trict and all other strikes would b,
4 looked after without splitting up the
fund of the anthracite men, and agair
urged the mon TO dismiss from theil
minds all thought of a general strike
His remarks we're greeted with enthu
siastic applause.
A vote was thon taken on the Has
kins amendment and it was voted dowl
by decisive majority. This left befor'
the convention the original melton To-
the adoption of the recommendation
of the president A number of amend
ments were then offered, all relating Il
the manner in which the assessmen
should be made. Secretary Wilson of
fered an amendment that the matte
be referred TO a committee consisting
of the three highest officers of the ma
tional organization and the president
of the districts represented in the con
vontion. This prevailed, and an ad
jomnment was taken until today.
The convention was informed by tn
Illinois delegates that tho miners o
that state have voted a donation o
$4,000 10 the cause of the anthracit
{ strike. The money will be availabl
p az once.
At the conclusion of the session, Sec
rotary Wilson said: "It will cost $500
600 weekly to support all tho men moi
on strike in the various districts. A
assessment of 81 per week will hrin
, in s250,000 q week; an assessment OF
per cent. upon each member OF the IN
ion will result in about the same sun
This viii leave MS S25O.OO0 TO raise enc
S week from outside sources. and froI
the promises and offers that have bee
> made us, we are confident that we wi
be able to do this"