The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-14
STRIKE ASSURED.
President Mitchell Alone Can
Prevent 1t.
Miners Assemble in Convention
at HazeltOn.
DECISION TO BE MADE
Which viii Determine Course
of $4,000 Men.
Sentiment FavOring Cessation
Of Work is Strong.
Hanna Tries Again For Com
promise but Fails.

Hazleton, Pa, May 1.-THE general
convention of the United Mine Workers
of America of the anthracite coal ter
ritory of Pennsylvania began here this
morning, and before it adjourns sine
die will have reached a definite conclu-
sion on the question of whether the
temporary strike for higher wages, or
shorter hours, which was inaugurated
on Monday shall be made permanent
or whether the men shall return to work
and await a more opportune time
While there is an absolute lack of Off
cial Information by reason of the de-
cision of the mine workers not to talk,
there is every indication that the dele
gates in convention viii decide to strike
There is strong sentiment, however.
against permanent suspension Of
work at this time, and it promises to
make a decided stand against a strike
order This minority is growing
stronger with the passing of every hour
and the longer the final vote is delayed
the smaller will become the apparent
majority for a strike.
President Mitchell and the district
leaders say they are keeping hands of
and viii insist that the delegates de-
eide the issue themselves. Hundreds of
the delegates who have been instructed
to follow their own or Mr.. Mitchells
leader for advice, but he has remained
as silent as a sphynx. There is not the
slightest doubt that one word from
President Mitchell could sway the con-
ventiOn either way, and it is not at ali
improbable that after all has been said
by the delegates that he will be asked
by the convention to step into the
breach and decide which is the better
course to pursue There has been a lin
gering hope which has now almost en-
tirely disappeared that the mine owners
would make some slight concession be
fore the convention adjourned. MI.
Mitchell has had several telephone talks
with persons a distant points, but he
refuses to say anything regarding these
conversations If the convention de-
cides to continue the strike, it is be-
Heved that the struggle viii be a long
and bitter one.
The last of the delegates to the con
vention arrived here this morning.
There was great crowd around head
quarters at the Valley hotel, and nearly
every delegate wanted to hold a per-
sonal interview with President Mitchell,
He, however, kept close to his Office in
conference with the leaders up to the
time the convention met.
In an interview with a correspondent
OF the Associated Press, just before en-
tering the convention, President Mitch
ell plainly indicated that he had a def
mite plan in view, but he refused to
say what it was. In reply to a ques-
tion he said that he had finally decIde5
necessary
men what should be done.
He was asked if it were true that a
canvass of the delegates showed that
most of them were in favor of a strike
and he replied: There is no doubt that
the sentiment of the men is for a
strike ."
viii you advise the men what to
dor
Il will advise them if necessary when
the proper time comes"
fha=,7 Eaf
sentin ent2''
He hesitated for moment and finally
replied: I would rather not answer
that question"
In view of the fact that Mr.. Mitchell
is averse to strikes this refusal to def
nitely answer the last question would
indicate that he may advise against
radical measures.
In answer to other questions Mr.
Mitchell said that all hope of any con-
cession from the operators was gone.
He has had no communication, he said,
with the mine owners, Senator Hanna
or any other members of the National
Civic Federation.
The delegates were called to order
shortly after 10 o'clock by President
Duffy of district No z, the middle dis
trict Mr. Mitchell was Immediately
elected chairman of the convention. He
made a brief speech in which he said
the delegates have a great responsibility
and they should act wisely in whatever
they do.
They viii be called upon, he said. 10
decide one of the greatest questions that
ever came before any labor convention
He admonished them to stand to-
gether, Wha tever their decision may be
w. B. Wilson, national secretary and
treasurer of the United Nine Workers,
was elected secretary. Deputy Secre-
I taries Dempsey, Gallagher and Hartlin
were appointed committee on creden-
tialS. after which the convention took d
recess until 1:30 p. m. The convention
will last al least two days. Most of to-
days sessions will be consumed in or
ganizatiOn- AS there are approximately
700 delegates, the credentials committee
viii consume most of the time. At this
afternoons session President Mitchell
will make a full report of his negotia-
tionS with the operators since the Sha-
mokin convention. He VIII give in de-
tail all the particulars Of the meeting
with the Civic Federation and will re-
at the series of conferences between the
mine workers representatives and coal
: presidents held in New York This also
( will include the reading of all letters
and kilograms that have passed be-
! tween the labor leaders and the Civic
( Mitchell said his report would be con-
/ fined strictly to facts and viii contain
no recommendation or suggestions. He
viii give his advice at a later period Of
( the convention
HANNA TRIES AGAIN
New York. May 14-President Mitch
/ ell of the United Mine Workers has
been in communication again with Sen
ator Hanna over the long distance tele-
phone. says Hazleton special to the
World
Senator Hanna wanted to know the
very smallest concession the miners
would agree to- President Mitchell is
said to have evinced a willingness to