Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-20
POINT TO A STRIKE
Indications at Miners Convention Suggest
Another Big Tieup,
OPERATORS LETTERS UNSATISFACTORY
Mine Owner Are Not Disposed to
Grant C~OncessiOns Sought by
the Union work
men.

sHAMoKIN, Pa, March 1s.-The miners
convention began today the consideration
Of the important matters which will decide
whether the notices posted by the operators
at the various collieries, announcing a con-
tlnuance of existing conditions. shall be
accepted or rejected.
The committee on rules and order OF
business met at $50 O'Clock. a half hour
previous to the assembling Of the conven-
ton. and completed the details of Its work.
The delegates this morning displayed much
interest in the expected presentation by
President Mitchell of the letter from the
presidents Of operating companies declining
q conference with officials Of the United
Mine Workers. These letters constitute one
OF the most important subjects to be, con-
sidered by the convention, but the delegates,
having nothing but a general knowledge
Of their contents. declined to discuss their
probable action concerning the communica-
tions.
President Mitchell today reiterated his
denial tina the visit Of Secretary Ralph M.
Easley of the Civic federation concerned
/ the situation in the anthracite coal region.
When asked IL he would make any further
effort to see J. Pierpont Morgan, Mr..
Mitchell said he had mad no arrangements
looking to that end.
want Coal Weighed.
The sentiment Of the delegates was for
the hrst time o~ficiaIly expressed during
the morning session Of the convention.
President Nichols Of district No. 1, speak
ing on the question Of a scale committee,
said.
'The men Of our district want their
coal weighed, and they want 1t weighed
30 badly that they are ready to fight for
It IL necessary"
This assertion ELECTED vigorous applause,
which is taken as an indication that most
Of the delegations have come to the con-
~vention with instructions to insist on con-
~cessions by operators.
A letter signed by several victims OF
the Lattimer strike, appealing for aid,
was read and on motion a collection was
taken UP for the benefit of the sufferers.
A Polish delegate suggested that as a
few Of the delegates could understand but
, little English, interpreters report the pro-
}, ceedings to their colleagues. A motion tc
this effect was carried and the vice presi-
dents Of the three districts were appointed
I to serve.
Z The credentials committee made it,
final report, which showed the total mum.
, Der of delegates present to be sS1. with
926 votes.
Admit FIremen's Union. @
A request for admission to the conven
tion from delegates of the fremen's unioI
met with some opposition. but a motion
admitting them was finally carried.
The convention decided to appoint a scal'
committee Of twenty-one members, sever
from each district, and a COMMITTEES OIL
resolutions consisting of three member
I from each district. The vice PRESIDENT
Of the districts were authorized to selec
the members of the committees.
III President Nichols asked whether ta
scale committee would draw up . uniform
; wage rate, or whether several scales woul'
r be presented by each district. Condition
are different in each district" said II
Nichols, land It would be dificult to ar
, range a uniform rate. Some regions desir
. pay by the yard and others want to be pal
. by weight. In our district we wan tn
3 coal weighed and we want It SO badly W
a are willing to fight for IL IL necessary"
. The next business In order was the repor
Of the special committee. consisting o
President Mitchell and the district presi
. dents appointed at indianapolis, to seek
conference with the operators. Presiden
: Mitchell announced that letters had bee
A received from the operators and he ,deeme
' It advisable for the convention to eonside
a them in executive session. His suggestion
was adopted and at 1885 the conventio
went into executive session.
President Mitchell addressed the conver
tion and he stated hat he advised cautio
. and prudence in arriving at any decisio
as to further action.
What the final outcome win be is, 1
this time, purely problematieal." was tn
concluding sentence OF the press commit
tees statement.
i The Indications here tonight poir
strongly to a strike declaration, as lei
tiers received from operators seem to hay
N caused much bitter feeling among the mel