The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-20
Therefore, in Case General Strike Il
Ordered, There Cannot Be Total
Suspension of Mining
CONFERENCE WITH MITCHELL
MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS DIS
TRICT AT wILKESBARRE.
Western Miners Strongly Opposed to
striking and May Even Object
to Partial Suspension.

WILKESBARRE, Pa, June 19.-The ar
rival of President w. r. Russell and Secre-
tary-treasurer w. d. Ryan, of the Illinois
miners organization, for a conference with
National President Mitchell was the only
event of any Importance around strike
headquarters to-day. The two Illinois
leaders arrived at o'clock and immedi-
ately went into conference with their
chief. which lasted two hours. President
Mitchell, after the meeting. said the IL
linois men came to see him for the pur-
pose of discussing Western mining mat
ters." When he was asked what particular
matters were talked over and whether bus
mess connected with the coming special
national convention was considered he re-
piled that he would prefer not to say any
thing more. Neither Mr. Russell nor Mr..
Ryan had anything to say beyond the
statement that they felt well satisfied with
the situation both East and West. They
left for their homes late tonight.
There is not the slightest doubt that the
Illinois officials brought information to Mr..
Mitchell which will be of use to him in
connection with the Indianapolis meeting.
Information has reached here through diff
ferent sources that the solft coal miners
in the West are not unanimous for gen.
are against partial suspension. Those
men who oppose a strike are willing to
give financial aid to the anthracite strikers.
but some of the leaders are not ready to
accept this sort of aid. In the spring of
1900, when a strike levy of Is cents a month
for each member of the United Mine Work
ers of America was made, there were only
three state organizations that responded
in full: they were Iowa, Illinois and In
diana. There is now a strike tax of 10
cents a month for each member in force,
but as far as can be learned this is not
being paid in full by all the districts in
the country. For this reason the leaders
would rather have the bituminous miners
either strike partially suspend opera
tions. President Mitchell has been in close
communication with the leaders of the va
rious districts and whatever plan they de-
eide upon will, no doubt, be accepted by
the convention. No radical action, such as
a total suspension of work by the entire
membership of the organization. is looked
for.
A little dissatisfaction was expressed by
some of the strikers because the convention
was set a month hence. They feel that
something ought to be done without wait
ing thirty days. While the leaders around
the strike headquarters will not talk it is
believed the fixing of the date for July II
was a wise move. A partial curtailment
sion of the coal production, would have a
serious effect on the business interests of
the country, and ii is hoped that during
the month some plan may be devised by
which such state of affairs can be avoid
ed A total suspension of coal mining is
practically impossible, because the United
Mine Workers organization does not in
clude all the miners in the country.
President Mitchell received information
to-day from West Virginia which, he says,
indicates that the strike there is progress
sing most favorably. He said more men are
now out in that territory than a any other
time since the strike in the Virginias be-
gan. Large gains have been made, he said,
along the line of the Norfolk & Western
Railroad.
thracite strike to-day. The canvass to
bring out all the engineers, firemen and
pump runners who have failed to respond
to the strike order goes steadily on. Ad-
ditional men are persuaded each day to
quit, but the coal companies say they al
ways have men on hand TO fill their places