Evening journal., 1902-03-20
MINERS WILL
DECLARE STRIKE
Letters Of Operators Cause
Much Bitterness
MITCHELL ADVISES CAUTION
Every Indication Points to an Early
Strike Unless Additional Con-
CeSSiOnS Are Granted

Shamolkin, Pa, March 20.-That the
convention of anthracite mine workers
will declare for a strike on April l
seems assured. The call for a strike
which is considered inevitable, al
though the strike itself may be avert
ed by some happening subsequent to
the adjournment of the convention,
will, it is said by an official high in the
councils of the United Mine Workers
of America, be based on these de-
mands: An eight-hour work day; an
advance in pay Of 20 per cent. over
the scale now in force; a minimum
wage scale for engineers. firemen,
pumpmen, rockmsu and other com
pany hands who are paid by the hour
OF day; and the weighing Of coal in
some sections. notably District No. 1.
President Nichols, of No. /, speak
ing on the question of a wage commit
tee said: THE men of our district
want their coal weighed, and they
want it weighed so badly that they are
ready to fight for it if necessary"
This assertion ELECTED vigorous ap-
plause, which is taken as an indication
that most of the delegations have
come to the convention with instruc-
tions to insist on concessions by the
operators.
The convention went into executive
session yesterday afternoon to hear
the report of the committee to seek a
conference with the operators. After
adjournment last evening President
Mitchell, speaking for the press COM
mittee. made this statement: "The
committee selected by the Hazleton
convention last August 10 go to New
York and see the highest authorities
of the coal companies and intercede
with the companies to have them with
draw their opposition to the examina-
tion of working cards and arrange for
a joint conference, reported the re-
fusal of e. B. Thomas, chairman Of
the directors of the Erie railroad to
receive the committee, and the cOnse-
Quent failure of their efforts to make
the necessary arrangement with him.
The same committee. selected by the
indianapolis convention to invite the
operators to confer on the question of
a wage scale for the year beginning
April /, 1902. reported the result of in
teryiews with the railroad presidents,
and presented letters from the rail
road companies in reply to the invita-
tions. The letters, while cOuched in
different language. are all of the same
purpOrt-a positive refusal to confer
with the representatives of their en-
. ployes upon the wages to be paid and
the conditions of employment which
should obtain. 1t is needless to say
the delegates expressed keen disap.
pointment, and the opposition to con.
tinuing work under the present low
wages and unfair conditions was
unanimous and emphatic"
President Mitchell addressed the
convention, and stated that he ad
visod caution and prudence in arriv
ing at any decision as to further ac
ton. He reviewed the efforts made
by the officers Of the union to main
tain peace and harmony in the coal
regions by the adoption of humane
measures and the best methods of ad
Justing wage differences. He spoke
also of the failure of the operators Il
respond TO the employees overtures.
what the final outcome will be is
at this time, purely problematical,
was the concluding sentence OF the
press committees statement.
The indications here point strongly
to a strike declaration. and It is sait
by some of the men that the declara
tion may come as early as tomorrow
The operators letters seem to have
caused much bitter feeling among the
men.