Evening star., 1902-03-18
Convention at Shamokin CT
Anthracite Workers.
MAY ORDER A STRIKE
DELEGATES RETICENT AS TO
THEIR GRIEVANCES.
Deliberations Will Be Behind Closed
Doors-Important Matters
to Come UP.

SHAMOKIN. Pa, March 1S,-A specia!
train from the upper anthracite coal re-
gion today brought here a majority of the
delegates to the convention of the United
Mine Workers of Districts l. Z and 8, which
begins at noon. Many of the delegates from
the lower section came in yesterday. Neither
National President Mitchell nor National
Secretary Wilson have yet arrived but
It is exected they will reach here during
the afternoon.
1t is next to impossible to obtain a clear
idea of the intentions of the delegates.
District No. l. comprising the Lackawanna
and Wyoming regions where there is said
to be much dissatisfaction, practically con-
trolls the situate and should the dele
gates from that region declare for a strike
the remaining districts would be compelled
to accept the inevitable.
According to Secretary Hartelein of dis
trict No. 8 the Shamokin district, there arc
$4,000 mine workers in the anthracite re-
giOn and 9S per cent of these are members
of the United Mine Workers of America.
District No. !, comprising Lackawanna,
upper Luzerne and Wyoming counties con-
tans l76 local branches. with representa-
ton of about 500 delegates in the conven-
tion. There are ~ locals in district No Z.
which includes lower LuZerne and portions
of Schuylkill and Carbon counties This
district sends 100 delegates District No. ..
comprising lower Schuylkill. Dauphin and
Columbia counties, is entitled to something
over zoo delegates.
Difficult to Forecast Action.
Although official statements concerning
the probable action of the convention are
difficult to obtain it is intimated by some
OF the officials that recognition of the union
will not be the chief issue. There are MANY
grievances to be considered of more i'm
the union as national body.
The credentials committee has been in
session all morning. and its report will be
ready when the new convention is called to
order this afternoon. Today's session will
be the only public meeting of the delegates.
The important business will be transacted
behind closed doors and the proceedings an
nounced through the medium of a press
committee.
The delegates to represent the various 10
Gals in the anthracite region and each del
esate will have one vote for each 100 mem
btrS he represents, but no delegate can
have more than FIVE votes.
When notices were sent to the locals the
members were urged to furnish only in
tellisent and careful men TO act dele
gates.
This Is expected to result In a better de-
Lucrative body than ever before but it is
felt that at time have the questions
pending been more momentous to the
Some Questions to Be Considered.
Among the matters to be brought to the
attention of the convention will be the re-
ports of President Mitchell and his assis-
tants in their efforts to settle existing diff
ferences with the operators, and the re-
plies received will all be read. The eight
hour day. recognition of the union. grie-
vances of firemen and many other questions
Of vital Importance will be considered.
1t is stated that the combined treasures
OF the three districts now contain S4oo 600
Ralph NJ. EaSley of New York secretary
OF the Civic Federation, arrived here today
He said his visit had no connection with
the miners convention His object he
said. was to meet President Mitchell who
is a member of the Cancellation committee
of the Civic Federation. There are some
matters before the committee, Mr. Easey
said, that required attention, and he de-
sired TO see Mr.. Mitchell before the latter
left for the west.
Arrival of President Mitchell.
President John Mitchell arrived here from
Altoona at II o'clock this morning. Secre-
tary Wilson was not with him. having gone
to West Virginia to preside over conven-
tfon of btuminous coal miners. MIR.
Mitchell said he was not in touch with the
situation in the anthracite region and could
make no official statement until he had con-
ferred with the district officers.
Concerning the refusal of the operators to
meet the miners Mr.. Mitchell said the let
ters re had received would be presented to
the convention, but he could not say
whether they would be made public. THE
letters, said Mr.. Mitchell. contained the
usual reasons given by operators when they
object to meeting labor organizations"
Soon after his arrival Mr.. Mitchell held
consultation with the district officers.
District President Fahy of the ninth dig
trtet called the convention 10 order at 2:l5
OclOck. President Mitchell was unani-
mously selected as permanent chairman
President Mitchell made a brief address
In which he said he hoped the miners would
be able TO secure redress for their wrongs
without recourse TO the methods Of 1900
Mr.. Mitchells appearance on the stage was
the signal for an ovation, and when he con-
oluded his remarks he was vigorously ap-
plauded