Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-17
MINERS CONVENTION TODAY
Workers Gather to Consider Adviuability Of
Calling General Strike,
ACTION OF THE UNION is UNCERTAIN
Present Indications Are That There
VIII BE No waIkout, but some
thing May Change
situation.

INDIANAPOLIS, July 1s.-Tomorrov
morning the national convention of the
United Mine Workers will assemble In
Tomlinson to discuss the advisability oi
calling a strike to aid the striking an
thracite miners. The action OF the union
lie uncertain, although the situation to-
night indicates that there will be no walk
out Of the men. There are some things
that may change the situation, so that
speculation regarding the result Is prac-
tically worthless. II President Mitchell
would declare his personal preferences II
would not be dificult to ~foretell the out
come.
At present he controls the situation alb
solutely and can swing the delegates either
way. He will not say openly what he
wishes, however, asserting that 1t is the
province Of the delegates to decide regard
ing the strike, and that while he is willing
to advise, under no circumstances will he
assume to dictate to the convention what
1t shall do. He said this afternoon, how
ever, that the convention would take ac-
ton which would result in the winning Of
the strike by the anthracite men In the
east.
II no strike Is ordered by the conven-
ton, 1t is likely tina action will be taken
Will ~ Obl0CN VI u OuAHhA
Of soft coal, and that every effort will be
made to keep 1t out Of the anthracite re-
gion. To this end the bituminous men
may decide to work a fewer number Of
hours a day and to mine no more Goa
than may be necessary.
The sentiment among the delegates, al
far as IL can be determined from those
already here, is against q strike. John P
Reese, president of the Iowa miners, de-
clares that he is for a strike only as
last resort. ]. w. Howe, president of thu
Tennessee miners, will not declare him
self, saying he will use his best Judgment
but the members Of his delegation sa!
they are not in favor Of a strike II it cal
be avoided.
MissOurians against Strike.
The Missouri men are against a strlk'
and are instructed to fight against 1t oil
the floor Of the convention. Alexandef
Patterson, who represents the Colorado
miners, says he does not favor a strik,
only as the last resort. The Indiana mel
are against a strike. The delegates from
Illinois are partly uninstructed and other
have instructions against a strike. Thos
who. are uninstructed will not declare wha
they will do, but many Of them say the,
are opposed to a strike. w. f. Williams
president Of the Michigan delegation, sal
this afternoon that the men from his stat
have never declared in favor Of a strike
The Michigan district signed the call 70
the convention and II was general
thought that they would favor q strike
But this, Mr.. Williams. declares. is not tn
fact. The delegates from the anthracit
regions are strongly in favor of q strik,
but are urging their views with modera
tion. There seems to be little sel1shnes
In the action OF any Of the delegations an
they promptly declare themselves for tn
greatest good for the greatest number {
the organization. The men who say tina
they are against a strike say at the sam
time that they are willing to strike IL the
see no other way to aid the anthracit
miners. The anthracite miners declar
that while they are anxious to have all tn
aid that can help them to win the strik
they are not disposed to force the bitumI
nous miners to break their contracts TN
less II proves for the salvation OF the OF
ganiEation. 1t is not likely that q vote o
the question of striking will be taken be
fore Saturday. .