The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-17
CONVENTION OF UNITED MINE
WORKERS WILL DISCUSS THE
SITUATION IN EAST
PRESIDENT MITCHELL
WILL NOT DICTATE
It Is Said That the Majority of the
Delegates Do Not Favor General
Strike, but Believe That Something
Should Be Done to CurtaiI the Soft
Coal Disqualification Not Likely Be-
fore Saturday.

row morning the national convention of
the United Mine Workers will assemble
in Tomlinson hall to discuss the advis-
ability of calling a strike to aid the
anthracite men who have been out in
the East for several weeks.
The action of the convention is I'M
certain, although the situation tonight
indicates that there will be no walk
out of the soft coal men. There are
so many circumstances, however, that
may change the situation that specula-
ton regarding the result of the con-
vention is practically worthless. If
President Mitchell would declare his
personal preferences it would not be
difficult to foretell the outcome. At
present he controls the situation abso-
lutely and can swing the delegates
either way.
Mitchell Won't Dictate.
He will not say openly what he
wishes, however, asserting that it is
the province of the delegates to decide
regarding the strike, and that while he
is willing to advise, under no circum-
stances will he assume to dictate to
the convention what it shall do. He
said, this afternoon, however, that the
convention would take action which
would result in the winning of the
strike by the anthracite men in the
East. He also said that the men on
strike were contending for principle
to which the United Mine Workers
had long been committed and that it
was the duty Of the parent body to
aid them by every means in it's power.
When asked whether these utter
ances could be construed into meaning
that he was in favor of a strike Mr.
Mitchell would say nothing If no
strike is ordered by the convention it
is likely that action will be taken
toward curtailing the output of soft
coal and every effort will be made
to keep it out Of the anthracite region
To this end the bitumious men will
J decide to work fewer hours a day and
no more coal will be mined than is
necessary. If it is decided that this
policy can be carried out the chances
of strike will be greatly lessened
The sentiment among the delegates
as far as it can be determined from
those who are already here, is against
a strike. John P. Reese, president of
the Iowa miners, declares that he is
for strike only as last resort. J. w.
Howe, president of the Tennessee min
ers, will not declare himself, saying he
will use his best judgment, but the
members of his delegation say that
they are not in favor of a strike if
it can be avoided. Daniel Young, pres
ident of the Maryland delegation, takes
the same position as Mr.. Howe, and it
is followed that as the Tennessee men,
they do not wish a strike if it can be
avoided.
Alexander Pattison, who represents
the Colorado miners, says that he does
not favor strike only as a last resort
Indiana men are against a strike. The
delegates from Illinois are partly unin-
structed and others have instructions
against a strike. Those who are un-
instructed will not declare what they
will do, but many of them say that
they are opposed to a strike. w. F.
Williams, president of the Michigan
delegation, said this afternoon that the
men of his state have never declared
in favor of a strike The Michigan
men signed the call for a convention,
and it was generally supposed that
they would favor a strike. But this,
Mr.. Williams says, is not the case.
f. I'VE signed the CALI he said, "be-
cause we thought the men on strike in
the East were entitled to some consid-
GRAFTON and it was only right the or
ganization should meet to take steps
for their relief
1900 Votes to Be Cast.
The delegates from the anthracite
regions are strongly in favor of a
strike, but they are urging their views
| with moderation. 1t is not likely that
vote on the question of striking will
be taken before Saturday. From esti-
mates made by Mr.. Nilsson, of the Mine
workers, the total vote cast will be in
the neighborhood of 1900.
The number of votes to which the
various delegates is apportioned is as
follows:
District l. anthracite, 396 votes; No. z,
anthracite, 115 votes; No. 8, anthracite,
251 votes. Total anthracite, 76S votes
Central Pennsylvania district (biturnin-
ous), $50 votes; Pittsburg district, 1872;
Ohio, 229; Indiana (block), IS; Indiana.
b1tuminous r.; Illinois, 387; Iowa. lis:
Kansas, SO; Colorado IA; MARYLAND 81:
Virginia and West Virginia, 80; Tonnes
see, 81; Alabama, At; Arkansas and In
dian Territory, 8; Kentucky, 20; Michigan,
z; Missouri, 30. Total bituminous, LAG.
Grand total. 1884