Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-14
Delegates to Miners Con-
ventfon Rather Reticent.
MITCHELL IN CONTROL
GENERALLY CONCEDED He CAN
SWAY THE MEN.
he is Believed to Be Against a
Strike, Though He is Nom
Committa1

IfAHLEION, Pass May 14.-TRe general
convention of the Emitted Mine Workers OF
America Of tho anthracite coal territory of
Pennsylvanias began here>this morning. and
before 1t adlourns sine die will have reach
ed definite conclusion on the question Of
whether the Temporary strike for higher
wages or shorter hours. which was inau-
surated on Monday. shall be made perma-
nent, or whether the men shall return to
work and await more opportune time
While there is an absolute lack of official
information by reason of the decision of
the mine workers not to talk, there is every
INDICATION that the delegates in convention
Will decide to strike. There is: a strong SEN
t'ment. however, against permanent sus-
pension OF work at this time, and it prom
iseS TO make decided stand against a
strike order. This minority Is growing
stronger with the passing Of every hour,
ana the longer the final vote is delayed the
smaller will become the apparent majority
for a strike
Mitchell is Non-Committal.
President Mitchell and the district lead
ers say they are keeping hands off, and will
insist that the delegates decide the issue
themselves. Hundreds of the delegates who
nave been instructed to follow their own
or Mr. Mltchells judgment have sought the
NATIONAL leader for advice, but he has re-
NAMED as silent a sphinx. There is not
the slightest doubt that one word from
PRESIDENT Mitchell could sway the conven-
tlon either way, and it is not at all impr3b-
aoie that after all has been said by the
uelegates that he will be asked by the con-
VentlOn to step into the breach and decide
winch Is the better course to pursue. There
las been lingering hope which has now
almost entirely disappeared that the mine
N kn eli chf
before the convention adjourned Mr.
Mitchell has had several telephone talks
with persons at distant points, but he re-
fuses TO say anything regarding these con-
VersatlonS. If the convention decides to
continue the strike it is believed that the
struggle will be long and bitter one.
Mitchell Has Plan.
In an interview with a correspondent of
the Associated. Press just before he entered
the convention president Mitchell plainly
Indicated That he had a definite plan in
view. but he refused to say what it was.
In reply to a question he said that he had
finally decided that he would, If necessary,
advise the men hat should be done
He was asked i it were true that a can
vass of the delegates showed that most Of
| them were in favor of strike, and he re-
piled:
There ls no d6tlbt that the sentiment of
the men Is Tor a. Strike" -
VIII ySu advise the men what to do?'
proper time comes"
viii j.. you advise them against their SEN
TO the fb.aft a a; he hesitated for a
rather n2t answst that question"
In view Ct tbs fat that NE Mitchell is
answer the LAST question would indicate
that he may. advise. against radical meas
ures
No. Hope Of Concessions.
In answer;to other questions Mr.. Mitchell
said that an hope Of any concession from
the operators was gone He has had no
communication, he said, with the mine
owners. Senator Hanna or any other
members Of the National Civic Fedora
ton
The delegates were called to order short
ly after 10 O'clock by President Duffy Of
district No. Z, the middle district Mr..
Mitchell was Immediately elected chairman
OF the convention. He made brief speech,
in which he said the delegates have great
responsibility and they should act wisely
in whatever they do. They will be called
upon. he said. to decide one of the greatest
questions that ever came before any labor
convention, He admonished them to stand
together. whatever their decision may be.
w. B. Wilson, national secretary and
treasurer of the United Mine Workers, was
| elected secretary. Deputy Secretaries
Dempsey, Gallagher and Hartlein were ap-
pointed a committee on credentials, after
which the convention took a recess until
80 o'clock this afternoon.
Convention Will Last Two Days.
The convention will last at least two days.
Most Of today's sessions will be consumed
in organization. AS there are approximate
ly 700 delegates the credentials committee
will consume most of the time At this aft
ernoon's session. President Mitchell will
make full report of his negotiations with
the opera tors since the Shamokin conven-
ton. He will give in detail all the particu-
lars of the -I1aeeting with the Civic Fedora
ton and will report everything that was
said and done at the series of conferences
between the mine workers representatives
and the coal presidents held in New York
This will also include the reading of all let
tiers and kilograms that have passed be-
| tween the laborsleaders and the Civic Fed
Grafton and coal operators. Mr. Mitchell
said his report would be confined strictly to
facts. and will contain no recommendations
or suggestions. He will give his advice at
a later period of the convention.