The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-16
Resolutions Adopted by Miners Con-
ventiOn That Met Here an Feb
ruary Pointed Out.
RUSSELL is ON THE FENCE
THE ILLINOIS MINERS. HE SAYS,
WILL FALL INTO LINE.
Hundreds of Delegates VIII Arrive
To-day to Attend the Convention
That begins To-Morrow.

The nrst encouraging news that the ac-
ton Of the special convention of the United
Mine Workers which meets in this city
tomorrow will be conservative came with
the few officers and delegates that arrived
yesterday. The general sentiment reflected
by these representatives is that there will
be no suspension OF work throughout the
bituminous field. but that an enormous de-
fense fund will be raised TO support the
strikers in the anthracite region and the
idle men in bituminous districts where a
strike exists President Mitchell who was
expected at headquarters yesterday. was
detained in Chicago. and will not reach here
until to-day
w. r. Russell, president OF the Illinois
district, the most powerful in the national
organization, arrived yesterday. he was
noncommittal as to the attitude OF the nIi-
nois miners and also regarding his personal
opinion of a general suspension OF work
The fact is" said President Russell, Il
do not really know what the Illinois miners
will do in the convention. OF course 1 have
my opinion, but l may be wrong However,
L will say that the Illinois miners are with
the national organization in any step that
may be taken. We are ready to enter into
any kind Of fight and at any time You viii
finances are concerned. Mr.. Russell says the
Illinois miners have over sl.OOO.OOO in their
district and local treasures
WOOD OPPOSED TO STRIKE
j. d. Wood. national board member OF
Kentucky, came in advance or the Ken
lucky delegation. which was scheduled TO
arrive last night. Mr.. Wood last night
personally expressed himself as being op-
posed TO general strike. and il was his
opinion that the Kentucky delegates. VINO
have sixty-fve votes in the convention. will
cast them a unit against a general sus-
pension of work. He says the miners In
Kentucky, except where they are on strike,
are working under contracts. which they
will not break. In a written communica-
tion Mr.. Wood expressed his views as fol-
lows:
''It is no exaggeration on my part 10 say
the eyes of the Industrial world, and those
of every civilized country that is I'm any
way connected with or interested in the
labor question. Will be turned the
United Mine Workers of America. for in
this convention our organization. the larg-
est, the most powerful in the world. will
stand at the parting Of the ways and on
it's action will depend the immediate and
future success OF its operations. and the
cause Of unionsm generally-a great. a
worldwide question, still in its infancy, still
unsoved.
':The responsibilities that rests on the
shoulders Of each and every officer through
out the land cannot well be exaggerated.
The situation Of the anthracite miners in
Pennsylvania, the subject that the conven-
ton meets to discuss. falls into insignia
canoe when placed side by side with the
principles involved.
Are we not trying TO convince the
world that it would be 10 the advantage
of capital to deal with our organization?
Are we not at this very moment trying
! to make the anthracite operators and
| others believe that this would be 10 their
advantage? But unless we can do more
/ than persuade. unless we can demonstrate
| beyond all question doubt, that our or
ganiZation is a body which, once having
/ entered into a contract holds that contract
I sacred. how can expect how can we
! hope TO gain the respect and confidence or
/ business men. or OF the public generally2
WOULD BE CRIME.
ITO any OF ordinary intelligence who has
/ read the resolutions our body adopted in
| indianapolis on Feb 8. 1902 the very idea
of a general strike would seem simply i'm
possible-simpIy preposterous 1t would be
]
/ to a crime. I herewith annex the resolu-
/ tiOns alluded TO:
! whereas. The American people are
deeply concerned and profoundly interested
! I'm the wise and correct solution Of the la
Dor problem. and are interested In seeing
/ A problem materially affecting all classes
/ in our country settled by peaceable, reason
able and wise methods. and not by force
I or threats OF force. by imposing hardships
/ or threatening TO impose hardships upon
/ the masses Of the people. and
I Whereas. Thoughtful and observing
I Deople everywhere are watching with pro-
/ found interest and deep sOhctude the joint
j movement OF coal operators and coal
miners in the central coal-,nining States
4 and Of other coal-mining States OF the
\ Union, and have shown In many ways and
/ on many occasions a desire for a clear and
/ explicit definition OF the joint movement
/ inaugIirated by the coal miners and coal
/ mine operators. and now In vogue IN
/ many of the coal-producing States. and
/ - Whereas. Such a definition seems nee
/ essary 10 create a fair and healthy public
sentiment basis for just public opin-
Resolved. That the coal miners and
/ coal mine operators in joint convention as
I sembled hereby declare,
- 'Ffrst-That this joint movement Is
founded and that IL is 20 rest upon correct
/ business ideas competitive equality. and
upon well recognized principles OF justice
I 7" 'Second-That, recognizing the contract
I relations existing between employer and
+ employe. we believe strikes and lockouts,
disputes and friction. can be generally
/ avoided by meeting IN joint convention and
/ by entering into trade agreements for speci-
/ fed periods OF time.
/ " 'rhird-That we recognize the sacred
( ness and binding nature Of contracts and
agreements thus entered into. and are
pledged In honor 60 keep inviolate such
contracts and agreements made by and
between a voluntary organization. having
+ no standing In court, on the one hand. and
/ "a merely collective body OF business men
doing business individually Or IN eorporats