The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-03-28
SITUATION VERY GRAVE
ANTHRACITE MINE WORKERS Is
SUE AN ULTIMATUM TO
THE OPERATORS.
STRIKE SEEMS INEVITABLE

Convention Representing Three Dis
tricts Adopts Resolution Calling
for a Shorter Workday, Minimum
Day Wage Scale, Uniform Increase
In Wages and the Weighing of Coal
Wherever Practicable.
Shamokin, Pa, March 24.-Unless
the efforts of the Civic Federation are
effective with the coal operators it is
more than likely that a repetition OF
the struggle of 1900 will occur in the
anthracite region. In that year 140,-
900 employees of the anthracite mines
were on strike for six weeks. The
convention of districts 1, 7, and 8,
United Mine Workers of America,
which districts comprise the entire au'
thracite field, made provisional
strike declaration, leaving the date
to be decided by the executive boards
of the three districts. This was prac-
tically the last official act of the dele.
gates and the convention adjourned
sine die at o'clock p. NJ.
The adoption of the resolution con.
tanning the ultimatum of the mine work.
ers was followed by scene Of wild
enthusiasm and the opera house rang
with the acclamations of the delegates,
who with luSty cheers approved the
work of the special resolution commit
tee and expressed confidence in -Presi-
dent Mitchell.
The convention from the first ses-
sion showed a disposition to insist on
an adjustment of the mine workers
grievances, but the delegates were
willing to relinquish the question of
recognition providing other more i'm
portant concessions were granted.
This fact is evidenced in the resolution
adopted, which states as the chief de-
mands. shorter workday, a minimum
day wage scale, a uniform increase in
wages and the weighing of coal wher.
ever practicable.
Strike Seems Imminent.
The Civic Federation is regarded by
the delegates as the last hope of the
mine workers in their demands for i'm
proved conditions, and the gravity of
the situation is manifested in the
words of President Mitchell:
Il am free to say that to me strike
seems imminent
The resolution adopted was the re-
suit of a difference of opinion among
the delegates as to the methods to be
pursued in enforcing the mine work
ers' demands. Resolutions had been
presented to the convention from all
districts, but none of them were sat.
isfactory to the entire body of dele
gates 1t was then decided to place
the matter in the hands of President
Mitchell and the district presidents
and vice presidents. Before complet.
ing the draft of the resolution PreSi-
dent Mitchell telegraphed the pres
dents of the coal carrying roads max.
ing last appeal for conference. He
received several replies, one Of which
was from President Baer of the Phila.
delphia and Reading Coal and Iron
company, and all of which refused to
meet the representatives of the union
Others made no response. The text
of the replies was not made public.
This resulted in the formulation OF
the resolution presented, and, accord
ing to President Mitchell, it was adopt
ted without a dissenting vote. The
resolution provides for the appoint
ment of a committee by the three dis
. trict executive boards who will carry
the mine workers demands to the
Cancellation committee of the Civic
Federation with an appeal to that or
ganization for assistance.
Committee Not Yet Named.
The district executive boards me-
to select the IA delegates, who under
! the provisions of the resolution, are
to comprise the committee. After the
meeting President Mitchell said the
members had not been named, but tina
/ men fitted for the mission by thei
/ knowledge of the situation in the an
( thracite coal region would be selected
/ During the day President Mitchell
was in communication by telephone
! with Secretary Ralph Nj. Easley of thu
| Civic Federation, to whom he had an
/ nounced the decision of the conver
/ ton. This organization is empowered
/ by it's constitution to use it's good off
ces to prevent strikes when appealed
The Poor Little Fellow.
The street Arab lives by his wits /