Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-13
STRIKE SEEMS CERTAIN.
Miners Called Upon to Quit Work
Monday to Await Action Of
Delegate Convention.
QUESTION TO Be DECIDED WEDNESDAY.
Ainsrs OF the Anthracite Districts of
Psnnsylyania Asked to Send Rep
Feasntataves to Convention to BE
Hold II Hazleton-Beliaved Miners
Wul OhsY the O1dex.

AcTant0ns 70, May 12.-PreS1dant
Mitohau, IN accordance with the action
Of the executive committee Of the
United Mine Workers, has issued a
statement addressed to the anthracite
mine workers OF Pennsylvania, call
ing upon them TO quit work Monday,
Nay 10, end remain away from the
mines until FINAL action by delegate
convention which will assemble on
Wednesday morning, May IA, at Hazel
ton, Pa. This delegate convention will
decide whether to inaugurate a strike
or continue work under present
conditions. The text of the statement
touowa:
Gentlemen: The executive committees
o. the anthracite mine workers who were
delegated by the Shamokin convention to
represent you In the negotiations with the
railroad presidents and mine operators for
the purpose of obtaining increased wages.
shorter hours and better conditions Of EN-
ployment have exhausted all peaceable.
conciliatory and honorable means at their
command. and have failed to secure any
concessions OF tangible nature. and while
under the resolutions adopted by the Sha-
mohn convention authority was vested in
the executive committees should they fail
IN the negotiations to inaugurate a strike
at whatever time in their judgment held
out the greatest promise of success. the
committees after three days serious de-
liberation feel that in Justice to the an
thractte mine workers and those depend
emit upon them, before general strike is
llanguratsd. the question should be fur
fher considered by a delegate convention.
N which representatives from the var1ous
local unions shall be fully instructed by
thear constituents and prepared TO vote IN
FAVOR OF or in opposition to complete ces-
sons employed In OF around the coll1eries.
etTapp!nGe. washerfes and breakers are In
etrueted to temporarily abstain from work
Ing. beginning with Monday May IL, and
continuing thereafter until final decision
V reached by q delegate convention. which
will convene Wednesday morning, May a.
at Hazleton. Pa. The executive commit
tees recommend that special meetings OF
all local unions be held on Monday after
noon, May Il for the purpose of selecting
delegates and considering the question in.
volved. and 1t is especially recommended
that specific Instructions be given to dele.
gates as to how they shall vote on the
proposition to inaugurate a strike OF con,
tinue work under present conditions. The
instruction for all men to suspend worl
on Monday does not include firemen. engi
neers. pumpmen and other labor necessary
| to preserve the properties Of the operate rs.
Basis of Representation.
After issuing the order for tenn
porary cessation OF work in all the
collieries and call for miners con
yention in Hazelton on Wednesda,
| next, the % members of the executiv,
| committees of the three anthracit
districts of the United Mine Workers O
America made all possible haste t
| get back to their homes. They will a
once assume charge of the election o
delegates to the convention, the basi
of representation being one delegat
for each one hundred members. Thi
will produce convention of NOR
than 1000 delegates. While there
certain to be difference of opinio
ON the advisability of striking at ono
OF postponing such action until tn
conditions are more favorable for VIII
ming. whatever action is taken by til
convention will be announced as unal
fmous. This is required by the rules {
the organization. There is a gener;
opinion that the convention will be
session several days before final d
ctsfon IS reached.
Nobody here doubts that the mi
ers will to q man obey the order for
. temporary strike, and that not ca
Load OF coal will be mined on Monda
kilograms from various parts Of IL
region show that many miners ha,
already laid down their tools and Oh
now idle, awaiting the final outcome (
the Hazelton convention.