Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1902-05-15
Miners Called Upon, to Quit Work
Monday to Await Action Ct
Delegate Convention.
QUESTION 10 8: DECIDED WEDNESDAY.
Miners OF the sAnthra cite Districts Of
resentatives to . Convention to Be
Held 1t Haxleton-Believed Minera
Will Obey the Order.


United Mine Workers, has issued
statement addressed to the anthracite
mine workers of Pennsylvania, call
ing upon them to quit work Monday,
May IL, and remain away from the
mines until final action. by delegate
convention which will assemble on
Wednesday morning, May IA, at Hazel
ton, Pa. This delegate convention will
decide whether to inaugurate strike
or continue work under present
conditions. The text of the statement
follows:
Gentlemen: The executive committees
of the anthracite mine workers who were
delegated by the Shamokin convention to
represent you in the negotiations with the
railroad presidents and mine operators for
the purpose of obtaining increased wages.
shorter hours and better conditions OF en-
ployment have exhausted all peaceable,
conciliatory and honorable means at their
command, and have failed to secure any
concessions of tangible nature, and while
under the resolutions adopted by the Sha-
mokin convention authority was vested IN
the executive committees should they fail
in the negotiations to inangurate strike
at whatever time in their judgment hello
out the greatest promise of success, the
committees after three days serious de-
liberation feel that in justice to the an
thracite mine workers and those depend
ent upon them, before general strike Is
inaugurated. the question should be fur
Their considered by a delegate convention,
In which representatives from the various
local unions shall be fully instructed by
their constituents and prepared to vote in
favor Of or in opposition to complete ces-
sation of work. In the meantime all per-
sons employed in or around the collier!es.
strippings, washeries and breakers are in
etructed TO temporarily abstain from work.
ing, beginning with Monday, May II, ana
continuing thereafter until final decision
Is reached by delegate convention. which
will convene Wednesday morning, May IA,
at Hazleton Pa. The executive commit
tees recommend that special meetings OF
all local unions be held on Monday after
noon, May r. for the purpose of selecting
delegates and considering the question In
volved, and 1t is especially recommended
that specific instructions be given to dele
gates as to how they shall vote on the
proposition to inaugurate strike or con-
tinue work under present conditions. The
instruction for all men to suspend work
on Monday does not include firemen, engi-
neers, pumpmen and other labor necessary
topreserve the properties of the operators"
Basis of Representations.
After issuing the order for a tenn
porary cessation of work in all the
collieries and call for miners con-
vention in Hazelton on Wednesday
next, the 20 members of the executive
committees of the three anthracite
districts of the United Mine Workers of
America made all possible haste to
get back to their homes. They will at
once assume charge of the election of
delegates to the convention, the basis
of representation being one delegate
for each one hundred members. This
will produce a convention of more
than 1000 delegates. While there is
certain to be difference of opinion
on the advisability of striking at once
or postponing such action until the
conditions are more favorable for win
ming, whatever action is taken by the
convention will be announced as unan-
imous. This is required by the rules of
the organization. There is general
opinion that the convention will be in
session several days before final de-
cision is reached.
Nobody here doubts that the min
ers will to man obey the order for a
temporary strike, and that not car
load of coal will be mined on Monday.
kilograms from various parts of the
region show that many miners have
already laid down their tools and are
now idle, awaiting the final outcome Of
the Hazeltcn convention.
10 i