The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-17
Can Sway Delegates Any Way
He Wants Them
GENERAL STRIEE. IMPROBABLE
National President Is Extremely Retf
cent, as Anything He Might Gay
Would Turn Convention That
Way-Many Oppose Strike.

indianapolis, IND. July 1e.-Jrumorr0uA
morning the national convention of the
United Mine Workers OF America will as
semble in TomlinsUn Hall to discuss th6
advisability 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 uncer4
tain although the situation indicates
that there will be no walkout of the
soft coal men. There are many circum-
stances, however, that may change the
situation so that speculation regarding
the result of the convention 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 abb
solutely and can swing the delegates
either way. He will not say openly what
he wishes, however asserting that 1t 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. Mr.. Mitchell said this after
noon, 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 prime
ciple 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 its power.
Mitchell VIII Not Talk.
When asked whether these utterances
could be construed into meaning that he
/ = . Al al
seized with a paroxism of reticence If
no strike is ordered by the convention it
is likely that action will be taken with
the object Of cnrrailing the output Of soft
coal and every effort will be made to
keep it out of the anthracite region. To
this end the bituminous men Will 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 car
red out the chances of a strike will be
! greatly lessened.
The sentiment among the delegates
| as far as can be determined from those
who are already here is against strike.
! John p. Reese, president of the Iowa
miners declares he is for strike only
as a last resort ]. w. Howe president
of the Tennessee miners, will not declare
| himself, saying he will use his best judg-
ment but the members of his delegation
|
| If 1t can be avoided Daniel Young, pres
ident of the Maryland delegation, takes
| the same position as Mr.. Howe and his
| followers say as do those of the Tennes-
sec man, that they do not wish strike
If they can keep out of it.
Missouri Men Against Strike.
The Missouri men are against strike
and are instructed to fight against It on
the floor of the convention. Alexander
| Do xtr1.r nfG
miners, says that he does not favor
strike only as the last resort. Indiana
men are against strike The delegates
| from Illinois are partly uninstructed and
others have instructions against strike.
w. F. Williams. president of the Michi-
gan delegation said this afternoon that
the men from his state have never de-
clared in favor of a strike
The delegates from the anthracite re-
gions are strongly in favor of a strike,
but they are urging their views with
moderation. There seems to be but little
selhshness In the attitude of any of the
delegations and all practically declare
themselves as being anxious for the
greatest good of the greatest number Of
the organization. The men who say they
are against a strike, say at the same
time. that they are willing to strike II
they see no other way to aid the
thracite miners The anthracite miners
declare that while they are anxious to
have all the aid that can help them to
win the strike they are not disposed to
force the bituminous miners to break
| their contracts unless 1t proves for the
| salvation of the organization II Is not
| likely that vote on the question Of
| striking will be taken before Saturday.
Total Vote viii Be 1900.
| From estimates made by Secretary Will,
son of the mine workers the total vote
cast will be in the neghborhood of 1900.
Basing the vote upon the law OF the
organization requiring the vote to be
based upon the average paid up member-
ship for the three months preceding the
month in which the convention is held
the vote will be about as follows:
District !, anthracite 500 votes: No u
anthracite, lis votes; No. g. anthracite,
257 votes total anthracite 76S
Central Pennsylvania district. bitumin~
Gus, 1870 votes; Pittsburg district, 92: Ohio,
229 Indiana. tblock) IS; Indiana. (bitumin-
ous) 72; Illinois, 3s7; Iowa, 118; Kansas,
&c; Colorado IA; Maryland, 81 Virginia
and West Virginia, 93 Tennessee. 81; Ala
bama, AZ; Arkansas and Indian Territory,
9: Kentucky, 20; Michigan, Il: Missouri,
20. Total bituminous 1416. Grand total
2l94
Tomorrow morning a caucus of the men
from the anthracite regions will be held
for the purpose of arranging their vote
So that it can be cast as a unit and at
night the men from Ohio will caucus.