New-York tribune., 1902-05-17
MAY CHECK GENERAL STRIKE.
BUSINESS INTERESTS MAY INTERFERE
IF COAL MEN OF THE UNITED
STATES BE CALLED OUT.
By The Associated Press-1

OBy The Associated Press)
Hazleton, Penn, May l6.-The anthracite mine
workers in convention to-day TO win their strike
unanimously decided upon a plan that, if carried
into successful operation, will practically tie up
all the industries of the country parayze business
and Inconvenience the people throughout United
States. 1t is their desire that special national
convention OF the United Mine Workers OF America
|. be called practicable and have all
d the bituminous mine workers, organized and n
Uorganzed, involved in the anthracite miners strug-
gle. This announcement was officially made at noon
to-day by President John Mitchell in a statement
giving the result OF the deliberations OF the dele
gates in convention
IL a special national convention Is called and the
miners succeed in their object il would directly
affect nearly half million who are employed
in and about the coal mines OF the country. Coal
would soon become scarce, and this would ulti-
mately result in tying up railroads and all indus
tries that use large quantities of the fuel 1t is
aOubted by interested persons here who are
closely watching developments that such a stu
pendous movement could be brought about, because
the business interests of the country would not
stsnd idly by and permit such a plan 10 be put INFO
effect.
The striking miners enthusiastic over the con-
vention's action, and of them can see only
success in the proposition. An absolutely trust
worthy souEce is authority for the statement that
r special convention win be called. probably at
Indiana polls. in a few weeks. According to the
rules of the United Mine Workers petition signed
by five mine workers districts is necessary to call
special convention. The three anthracite dis
tricts are unanimous for such a meeting. and II is
likely that the West Virginia district and the Michi-
district will join them. The two latter districts
now have small but stubborn strikes IN progress
and they will doubtless consent to the call so that
they, too. may receive the benefit OF whatever may
be accomplished.
SOFT COAL MEN WILL STRIKE.
National Secretary Treasurer ". B. Wilson. of
indianapolis. said to-day that within the next
or three weeks. regardless of the special conven-
ton thirty thousand in Virginia and West
Virginia. and from fifteen thousand to twenty
thousand i'm the soft coal region of Central Penn
sylvania- will be strike. They will be called
out. he said, TO force the mine give them
higher wages. and, incidentally help the anthra-
cite workers. These men, he went say, are
partly organized. local unions having been estab-
lished in all localities in those regions he felt
eonhdent that the non-union men would respond
TO the strike call as readily as did the anthracite
miners i1 the fall Of 1900
A point has been raised that the United Mine
Workers cannot call the men employed by
companies with whom the miners have yearly con-
tracts or wage agreements. but Secretary Wilson
said that such is the case. He said that the
mine workers organization respects all such agree
ments. but added that a general convention has
power TO abrogate them if II deem such action
necessary This is seldom if ever done. If the
life Of the union endangered. Mr. Wilson said
Then convention would call out men working
under agreements. There is nothing In these COM
pscts. he said 10 prevent such action II a
rany working under agreement or contract
should send coal into territories where a strike Is
on ay the mine workers union. Secretary Wilson
ordered strike. the organization would
consider II 4 breach Of faith.
OTHER UNIONS MAY STRIKE
Tho correspondent OF The Associated Press made
effort to-day learn what steps If any had
heen taken in the direction of a sympathy strike
Of other trades unions. Some Of the labor leaders
definite plan presented itself Such strike. IL
The union Vas in danger 81 gnne 20 in nes ' Only
Secretary Wilson left here to-day for national
headquarters. at indianapolis where he will look
after the West Virginia and Central Pennsylvania
hituminous troubles II cali for the special con-
xention Is made il will he issued by, President
Mitchell from strike headquarters I'm this region
The location Of which has not yet been selected.
thousand have been idle for the last i've days
no disturbances Of any kind have been reported
left for their homes to-day. Hazleton to-
night is deserted All Of the local unions through
out the coal fields held meetings this afternoon
tonight. and received reports from their conven-
loeais fo give reiief 70 the mnmberg n needed
They expect 2 long strike
COAL COMPANIES PREPARING
The coal companies continue their preparation
for ? long struggle. Mine mules being brought
the surface and placed in pasture clerks and
other employees are being laid of. and other steps
taken 20 keep down expenses. The carrying
railroad companies laying off coal train crews
every DAY. and the local electric railway COM
lany. which had lines all tho surrounding
towns has reduced its service 30 per cent and
placed its employees half time
Business generally r. gnant. and coal i'm this
section Is becoming MANY ne foreign
mine laborers. in anticipation prolonged strIIg-
gle have left the region and others are preparing
20 follow carload Of these Workmen from the
Schuylkin region passed through here to-day. some
en- route 10 other coal fields and a number bound
1er foIelgn lands. "here they propose remaining
until the strike ends
Harrisburg. Pa. May Is.-Tbe striking miners in
the Lykens Valley viii hold d parade and an
open air meeting tomorrow Wiconisco The
sentiment among the miners in that locality is
against strike. but the members Of the local
lodge Of the United Mine Workers will abide by
the action OF the Hazleton convention
There are signs of disturbance i'm the valley
and none lis anticipated at to-morrow's meeting at