New-York tribune., 1902-07-18
PRICE THREE CENTS. I
HELP, But Do NOTSTRIKE
MITCHELL PROPOSES A PLAN
FOR MINERS AID.
URGES WORKERS NOT TO BREAK
PLEDGES, BUT TO MAINTAIN THE
HONOR OF THE UNION. y

Indianapolis July 17.-If the voice and infu-
OF President Mitchell OF the United Mine
Workers shall prevail with the members of his
organization, there will be no general strike.
The chances of such step being taken now are
very remote. In his speech in the convention
this afternoon Mr.. Mitchell advised strongly
against a strike. and urged that the bituminous
miners continue at work. and that system OF
assessment upon the members OF the order.
which he outlined. be carried into effect as the
best means of affording aid and support to the
striking anthracite men in the East
His recommendation. had it been adopted by
the convention. would have settled the entire
question for which the convention was called
motion to adopt the suggestions of President
Mitchell provoked long debate. in which the
general sentiment was shown to be against or
dering general strike. The men from the an
thracite regions finally made request that they
De allowed to hold caucus TO determine upon
an expression of opinion as to what they
thought the convention should do. and asked
an adjournment of the convention for this pur-
pose. Their request was granted
The men who were in favor of strike were
in decided minority in the convention. Three
speeches were made by members of the anthra-
cite districts. asking that the soft coal men
walk out and twice many were made by the
anthracite men urging the soft coal men to con-
llnue at work.
The convention met in the afternoon.
URGED CAREFUL ACTION.
President Mitchell then made his address az
follows:
=, Gentlemen: In opening this convention I deem
and TO suggest in a series of recOmn,enSia lions
tne policy which would. in my judgment best pro
seet the interests of the striking anthracite mine
WI UrheIs ana preserve unlmpaired the integrity OF
our entire organization.
AS You are aware, the constitution OF the limited
wine workers or America requires the president 10,
call special national convention on the snnIics-
tlon or nvs districts. regardless whether or not
we JuogHent or the president is In accord with
called. ~ ~ ~OiA' -
In determining the grave and important question
Whien now conrrontS you. namely. the advisability
OF lnauguratlng national suspension of coal
INNING IN defence OF our struggling fellow workers
IN the anthracite fields of Pennsylvania il Is i'm
peratlve that you should weigh with the greatest
possible care the mOmentOuS problem With which
YOU have to deal Neither passion nor prei,ysIjce
sincerely trust that your decision, whatever IL
may De. Will carry hope and inspiration to that
sreat army or men. women and children in the an
tnraclte neldS who are watching and praying in
expectation that this assembly will devise some
measure which shall prove sufficient to enable
Ihen 10 OBTAIN living wages and humane.
can conditions OF employment. Personally I wish
20 impress upon you realization of the fact that
t sneir success VIII De your success, and their de-
of the United Mine Workers Organization in the
antnracits coal heds of Pennsylvania would prove
s1nio1 poSi'is snoek 70 me american trsda
.-A-On Inos Sfnent 1he eyes or the entire nation
are centred upon that contest the hearts OF All
hs5rty ioiins patriotic citizens beat in sympathy
wtn H. ana feel sure that great victory will be
achieved II the coal miners themselves will the
example and take the initiative by doing their full
dutv.