Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-29
MINERSVOTEDT OSTRIKE
District Executive Boards Will
Decide on the Date.
LAST APPEAL TO OPERATORS
II Demands Are Refused and Civic
Federation Fails to Effect Settle
ment, 10000 Miners viii Be Called
Out-Enthusiasm In Convention.


ment, 10000 Miners Will Be Called
out-Enthusiasm In Convention.
Shamokin. Pa, March 25.-Unless
The efforts of the Civic Federation are
effective with the coal operators il is
more than likely that a repetition OF
the struggle OF 1900 will occur in the
anthracite region. In that year 140,O
employees OF the anthracite mines
were out on strike for six weeks. The
convention yesterday of Districts Nos
l, z and 3, United Mine Workers OF
America, which districts comprise the
entire anthracite field, made a pro-
| visional strike declaration, leaving the
| date to be decided by the executive
| board OF the three districts. This was
practically the last official act of the
delegates, and the convention ad-
journed sine die at O'Clock yesterday
! afternoon. The adoption of the reso-
luton containing the ultimatum OF
| the mine workers was followed by a
scene of wild enthusiasm, and the
opera house rang with the acclama
tions of the delegates. who, with lustS
| cheers. approved the work of the spe-
| pressed their confidence in President
Mitchell
The convention from the first session
| showed a disposition to insist on an
| adjustment of the mine workers
grievances, but the delegates were
willing to relinQuish the question of
recognition providing other more inn
portant concessions were granted. This
fact is evidenced in the resolution
| adopted yesterday. which states as the
| chief demands: A shorter work day. a
minimum wage scale. uniform in
| crease in wages. and the weighing OF
| coal wherever practicable
The resolution adopted was the re-
| suit of a difference of opinion among
the delegates as to the methods TO
be pursued in enforcing the mine
| workers demands. Resolutions had
been presented to the convention from
| all OF the districts, but none OF them
were satisfactory 60 the entire body
| of delegates. 1t was then decided to
place the matter in the hands of
President Mitchell and the district
| presidents and vice presidents. Be
| fore completing the draft of the reso-
luton, President Mitchell telegraphed
the presidents OF the coal carrying
| roads, making q last appeal for con-
ference. The telegram was as fol-
| lows: by direction of miners con-
vention, / wire to ascertain IL your
company will Join other anthracite
| coal companies in conference with
| committee representing anthracite
| mine workers for purpose of discus
sing and adjusting grievances which
| affect all companies and all employees
I alike. Please answer" He received
| several replies, one OF which was
from President Baer, OF the Philadel-
phia and Reading Iron and Coal COM
| pany, and OF which refused TO meet
| the representatives of the union. 9th
crs made n, response.
This resulted in the formulation of
the resolution presented yesterday.
/ and. according to President Mitchell.
It was adopted without dissenting
vote. The resolution provides for the
appointment OF a committee by the
\ three district executive boards who
| will carry the mine workers demands
to the Cancellation committee of the
Civic Federation with an appeal to
that organization for assistance.
Should the Civic Federation refuse to
| act or should they fail in their eff
forts TO effect satisfactory adjust
mont prior to April /, and II, after
that date negotiations are still pend
| ing, all anthracite mine workers ex-
| cept those necessary to keep the mines
in repair shall remain away from the
mines. strippings, washeries and
breakers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
1 Saturdays Of each week.
/ The district executive boards met
last night to select the fourteen dele
gates who under the provisions of the
| resolution are to comprise the com
mittee. After the meeting President
Mitchell said the members had not
been named, but that men fitted for
the mission by their knowledge of the
| situation in the anthracite coal region
would be selected.
1 The purpose OF the convention in
sI.'pending work at the inires three
! days in each week after April !, if ne
f, gotiations are then pending, is to pre-
| vent the storage of coal Gy the COM
/ panies by producing an amount suffi-
Gent only supply the existing needs
OF the market.
The Civic Federation Is regarded by
+, The delegates as the last hope of the
mine workers in their demands for inn.
=, proved conditions, and the gravity of
the situation is manifest in the words
| OF President Mitchell: 81 am free to
say that to me q strike seems immi-
nent."