The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-16

For strike .-...-.-.-..............-. 461A
Against strike ............................ Si9s+
Majority for strike.
President Mitchell. however. in comph-
ance with the rules Of the United Mine
Workers. announced to the public that the
action of the convention was unanimous.
The step taken to-day by the miners.
after practically considering the matter for
two months. has wiped out the uncertainty
of the situation and IL is predicted that the
most serious labor struggle in the history
of the country. If not the world, is about
begin This view is taken by nearly
every miner. 1t is not unlikely that the
miners fight will be carried into the bitum-
inous coal regions and into other fields of
industry.
Mine workers for eighteen months have
been looking forward 70 the strike that is
now upon them. They have saved their
money and are considered 10 be in better
shape to-day for a fight than they were
in the great strike OF 1900. That struggle
ended in the mine owners giving the men 6.
10 per cent advance after a six weeks sus-
pension. The operators are on record as
being unalterably opposed to granting the
sonally informed the mine workers leaders
OF that fact. The workmen fear that the
present fight may mean the destruction Of
their organization, because they believe
that the mine owners bent more
wrecking their union than they are in op-
posing the demands for higher wages and
shorter work days.
President MitcheIIs advice to the miners
was for peace. He was seconded by Presi-
dent Fahey and Secretary Hartlein, OF the
lower district, and Secretary Dempsey, of
the upper territory. President Nichols, of
the First district, the champion of the
strike advocates. Mr.. Mitchell, who was
the last to speak, was listened to with the
greatest attention. 1t is reported that
a telegram was read from the American
Federation OF Labor against a permanent
suspension. But the delegates would not
listen and. amid considerable suppressed
excitement the vote taken. For time
It looked as though the peace advocates
would win, but when delegation after dele
cation from the lower district, the last to
be called. answered yes" IL was seen that
the men who favored a fight had won. The
result was received by the convention with
applause which. however, not very
enthusiastic or prolonged. The men ap-
preciated the seriousness of their decision,
which no doubt dampened their ardor
The proposition to call out the engineers.
hremen and pump runners was separated
from the main question early in the dis
cussion which began shortly after the con-
vention met this morning. There was an
almost equal division in the matter and
the debate became so involved that it was
decided TO consider that phase OF the ques-
ton separately. The men, having thrown
down the gauntlet to their employers, have
taken renewed courage and IL would not be
surprising IL the convention tomorrow de-
cided TO call out the other employees re-
ferred TO. The miners insist that nearly
all the engineers. hremen and pump run
ners belong TO their organization and say
that they can get them all TO quit If they
want TO. In the event that this is brought
about II would do incalculable damage to
the mines through flooding, unless the COM
panies can succeed in filing the mems
CROWD IN HAZLETON.
The news OF the conventions action has
caused considerable business depression in
the coal region. though the miners them
selves jubilant. There was a great
crowd OF miners IN Hazeton TODAY. They
OF them congregated In the vicinity OF the
convention hall. Besides these there were
present about twenty-five newspaper cor
respondents and many agents of corpora
tions. all waiting TO flash every scrap of
information 20 the outside world. When
the vote 10 strike completed and the
convention had adjourned at 5:45 p. M
the delegates were not allowed 10 leave
the building until President Mitchell had
announced the result 10 the waiting crowd
a great cheer given by the miners
when the national leader finally shouted
the result, and a rush for the telephone
and telegraph Offices ensued. Hazleton and
surrounding towns are tonight celebrating
the Inauguration OF the permanent strike
by giving parades.
The question OF where the strike head
quarters will be established has not yet
been decided upon. bat Wilkesbarre will be
in all probability selected. President Mitch
ell viii remain here until Saturday or Sun
day II Hazleton is not selected.
The national leader was apparently in
good humor tonight. lie was pressed for