The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-17

Continued from First Page.)

within this next few days. For the
present the engineers, fremen and pump
runners will continue at work. All mine
workers We're advised to remain at their
homes abstain from frequenting saloons
and under all circumstances observe the
law"
Ii special national convention Is
called and the miners succeed in their
efforts jill would directly affect $4,000
men who are employed in and about the
coal mines OF the country Coal would
soon become scarce, and this would ult-
-nately result in the tying up Of rail-
roads and all sorts Of industries that use
lrage quantities of the fuel.
MEN ENTHUSIASTIC
It is doubted by some interested per-
sons here who are closely watching oe
velopments that such a stupendous move
ment could be brought about, for the rea
son that the business interests of the
country would not stand idly by and per-
nit such a plan to be put into effect.
The striking miners are enthusiastic
over the conventions action and most
Of them can see only success in the prop
osition.
An absolute trustworthy source IS au-
thority for the statement that the special
convention will be called, probably at In
dianapolis, in the course Of several weeks.
According to the rules of the United
NIine-Workers, q petition signed by five
mine-workerS districts is necessary to
call a special convention. The three an
thracite districts are unanimous for such
meeting. and it is likely that the West
Virginia District and the Michigan Dis
, trict will consent to the issuance of the
call The two latter districts now have
small but stubborn strikes in progress,
and they will doubtless consent to the
call, so that they, too. may receive the
benefit Of whatever may be accomplished.
National Sccretary-Treasurer w. B.
Wilson. of Indianapolis. said to-day that
within the next two or three weeks, re-
CARELESS of the special convention, $4,000
men In Virginia and West Virginia, and
from Is, 900 to 1900 in the soft coal region
of Central Pennsylvania will be on strike.
They will be called out, he said, for the
purpose of forcing the mine-owners to
give them higher wages and incidentally
to help the anthracite workers.
AFFECTS VIRGINIA.
At present the United Mine Workers
Is at variance with the bituminous mine
operators in Virginia. Kentucky. Penn
sylvania, and Michigan, and if the Ma
ticlal Convention meets and decides to as
sst the anthracite miners the men in
these four States would probably be the
first to be affected.
There was not the. usual big crowd
around the convention hall to-day. Meth
er was the attendance of delegates so
large. number of them having returned
to their homes last night. Reports from
all parts of the region show that every
thing is quiet and that the men are de-
ternined to stand by the strike order.
local unions throughout the region are
in session preparing for the campaign and
adopting plans for relief of their mem
beIs. The coal companies continue to
make preparations for long strike.
The coal and iron police. who ]. are
sworn in by the State of Pennsylvania,
but who are paid by the coal companies.
are now active and alert, but. their ser
vices are hardly needed at this time. be-
cause the strikers are keeping away from
the collieries.