Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-15
MINERS CONVENTION
No Vote Reached Yet on
Strike Question.
MAY BE DECIDED TODAY
OFFICIALS OF THE UNION WILL
NOT TALK.
Impression That President Mitchell
Can Control the Action of
the Meeting.
MAY BE DECIDED TODAY

HAZLETON. Pa. May 15.-The conven-
tion of anthracite mine workers, called to
decide the matter of making permanent the
present suspension of work in the hard
coal field. resumed its session in the Opera
House this morning at o'clock. The ques-
ton was not reached al yesterdays session.
owing to the inability of the credentials
committee to complete its work. The COM
mittee made its final report this morning
and after few unimportant matters had
been disposed of the question of the hour
was introduced by President Mitchell. This
was in the form of an exhaustive report of
his negotiations with the Civic Federation
and the presidents of the coal companies
The same impenetrable veil of secrecy
surrounds the proceedings of the conven-
tion today. and forecast of the result
can be made with any degree of accuracy.
The belief born with the interview with
President Mitchell yesterday that he has
definite plan that will help the miners in
their fight is stronger than ever today, and
many of the delegates hope that the
tiOnal president will be able to lead them
out of the difficulty. The strike sentiment
is still strong, but it cannot be said that it
Is as great as ii yesterday. Those who
advocate a permanent suspension if no con-
cessiOns are granted by the operators are
continuing their campaign of trying to win
votes for a strike. One of them said today:
We must work out our own salvation. 1t
is strike now or never. We have delayed it
long enough, and We cannot now turn
back
President Fahy Peace Advocate.
Il was reported this morning that Presi
dent Fahy of District No Q. who said
To be against a strike, has finally decided
u stop pleading for peace and let the
miners do as they please. President Fahys
position. it is said has met with consider
able opposition in his district.
President Mitchell reiterated today that
he would advise the miners what course to
pursue when the proper time comes. He
declined to indicate whether this advice
would be in the nature of a well laid plan,
saying that he would not like to give his
ideas to the newspapers in advance of their
presentation TO the convention. Many opin-
ions can be had regarding the nature of
A1r. Mitcheffs course. The leaders are not
talking. but the delegates. who have not
yet been taken into the confidence of the
mine workers, are profuse in opinions
They are, however. SO varying tha. it is
useless To repeat them. There is no doub,
that there will be many propositions intro
drced by delegates for consideration. and II
Is possible that the debate on them may
continue until tomorrow. There is a rumor
atoat that President Mitchell is trying u
delay action in the hope that something
may come from the other side. This Mr.
o.
tiatfons with the mine owners are off lie
h'pes th4t the convention will come to a
final decision today.
Recess at Noon
The convention took recess at l2 o'clock
until 1:3o this afternoon. No information
was given out relative to the action of this
mornings session
John C. HaddocA. president of the Ply
mouth Coal Cor.uony. which operates two
independent coSr cries and employs COO
men, had talk with President Mitchell at
noon today. Neither gentleman would say
anything regarding the conference. Mr.
HaddOck came here it is said for the pur-
pose of asking The mine workers not TO
withdraw the engineers, firemen and pump
runners from the company's collieries,
the firm does no" want any disaster in its
mines during ne present suspension of
work. Mr.. Hadd)ck. il is understood is
disposed to grant some OF the demands of
the men. but his cOmpany's hands are tied
because independent operators cannot do
anything without the sanction of the coal
carrying roads. Mr.. HaddOck advocates a
compromise.
Speakers Favor a Strike.
The delegates reassembled at l 30 D. m
= lie speeches up TO 30 O'Clock are said to
he strongly in favor OF a strike. None of
the national officers of the organization
has address the convention. Gossip coming
from the hall points strongly to d strike