The age-herald., 1902-03-24
Announcement of "Wa|k Out' in Virginias Was Not
 a Surprise
CONFERENCE AT SHAMOK|N
 TRYING TO AVERT TROUBLE
Lowell Is Threatened With One of the Greatest Mill Strikes In It's History-AIl Demands Are
 Positively Refused.

W. Nd MdTCn Zo.-1ne dn- nouncement of Secretary Treasurer W. B. Wilson of the United Mine Workers of America, that a strike would likely be called soon of the S5,O00 miners in this state and Virginia caused no surprise here, where both sides seem to be antic- pating It. It is believed that a confer ence between the operators and the min CTS of the two states will soon be held, although there are reports that the de- mands of the miners may be made with out further conferences. Representatives of the operators have been here for the past two days from the Kanawha, New and Elk River districts A committee was appointed to meet a committee from the West Virginia Miners Association with the view of arranging the wage scale.
 Trying to Avert Strike.
 Shamokin, Pa, March 23.-From an of ficial source it was learned today that an effort will be made tomorrow to ad- journ the joint convention of Districts Nos. 1, and g, United Mine Workers of America, without committing the dele gates to a strike declaration.
 At a meeting which began at il o'clock last night and continued until this morn ing the special committee appointed on Saturday formulated resolution which the leaders hope will satisfy both the radical and conservative delegates
 The report of the committee will take the form of a resolution the principal clause of which, it is authoritatively .+oto5 x.,iII raoopopoepd the apDOintTne if of a committee to present to the opera tors the demands of the convention. h. corporated in the report are a number of resolutions adopted during the week in addition to those made public by Presi- dent Mitchell. All of these resolutions, it is stated, contain a strike declaration, effective April l. but they were made sub feet to the resolution of the special com rnittees report, which. so far as could he learned, does not declare for a strike. In the event of the operators refusing +o recognize the committee. it Is within the province of the district presidents to declare a strike after receiving the sanc- tion of the national executive boaid. The entire matter now rests with the dele oates If is possible the convention may not approve the resolutions.
 Strike Threatens Lowell.
 Lowell, Mass, March 23.-Lowell Is threatened with one of the greatest strikes in It's history as a result of the communication sent to the Textile Union bv the mill agents in reply to the of- flcial demand of that body for an advance fin wages for the textile operatives Of the city. The communication was read at the meeting of the Textile Council this after noon and was a positive unconditional re- fusal of the demands. It was not joint note but each agent answered for him. self The language, however, was identi- cal. The increase demanded was to have gone into effect tomorrow, but because of the delay in reply the various unions represented in the central body have not had an opportunity to express their opin- ion on the new aspect of the situation, so it has been decided to postpone final action until a meeting Wednesday even ing next Meanwhile special meetings of the unions will be held and a vote will he taken on the question of a strike. An informal vote was taken today and 1t is .aid that three-fourths of the number rresent favored a strike. the others re- serving their decision until Wednesday.
 At a meeting of the trades and labor council today, the action Of the Textile Council was approved.
 Can Use Their Discretion.
 New Bedford, Mass, March 23.-The executive committee meeting of the Ma tional Loom F'ixers' Union today author ,zed the Loom Fixers' Union of Lowell to use it's own discretion in the matter of striking.
 An estimate of operatives who would be directly affected by a general strike places the number at 162O0.
 Street Railway Men to Strike.
 New orleans, March 23.--The mask was dronned by the Street Railway Union at q big mass meeting of the Central Trades and Labor Council today, which passed resolutions urging stand for recogni- tion of unionism as more important than other grievances This will doubtless hiring to naught conferences to be held tomorrow and if the union endorses the demands as paramount strike seems inevitable.
 Splnners Want Advance.
 wiston Me-, March 2S.-At a meeting of the Spinners' Union 1t was voted to de- rnand an advance in wages of 10 per cent to 70 into effect March 31, thus giving the mill owners a week in which to con- sider the question. Unless the demand is granted a general strike may follow Brewer Workers Discuss Compromise. Boston, March 25.-The Brewery Work CTS of Boston who have been threatening to strike because their demands for an eight-hour day and other conditions have