Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-17
Will Seek to Enlist All Bituminous
Workmen in the Strike.
NoN-UNloN AS WELL As UNION MEN IN
Special National Convention to Be Held
to Perfect the Plan.
DIRECTLY AFFECTS HALF MILLION MINERS
Business in General IL stagnnnt in
Region of Strike and People Pre-
pare for Prolonged and
Bitter Struggle.

HAZLEToN, Pa, May 16.-The anthracite
mine workers In convention today In order
to win their strike, unanimously decided
upon a plan that, II carried into successful
operation, would practically tie up the in
dustries OF the country. paralyze business
and inconvenience the people throughout the
United States. II is their desire that a
special national convention Of the United
Mine Workers OF America be called as soon
rs practicable for the purpose OF endeavor-
ing to have all the bituminous mine
workers, both organized and unorganized,
involved in the anthracite miners struggle.
This announcement was oflcially made at
noon today by President John Mitchell In
q statement giving the result Of the de-
llberations OF the delegates in convention.
This statement is as follows
At this mornings session the convention
petitioned the national officers TO issue a
can for q national convention of all minel 8
employed IN the United states for the pur-
pose of considering the situation In the
anthracite miners is carried into effect a
national suspension of coal mining will be
inauglrated Al guesti9ns Of detail s s as to
cite field were referred TO the district and
national officers. Definite plans will be
the present the engineers, firemen and
pump runners will continue at work; All
mine workers were advised TO remain az
their homes, abstain from frequenting sa-
looms and, under all circumstances, observe
the law.
would Involve Half Million.
II a special national convention is called
and the miners succeed in their object II
would directly affect 449 900 men, who are
employed in and about the coal mines OF
the country. Coal would soon become
scarce and this would ultimately result In
the tieing up Of railroads and all sorts OF
industries that use large quantities OF coal.
It Is doubted by some interested persons
here who are closely watching developments
that such a stupendous movement could be
brought for the reason that the business
interests of the country would not stand
idly by and permit such plan to be put
into effect. -.a.-..,s-.
The striking miners are enthusiastic over
the conventions action and most of them
can see only success in the proposition.
An absolutely trustworthy source is au-
thority for the statement that the special
convention will be called, probably to meet
In indianapolis, In the course OF several
weeks. According to the rules OF the
United Mine Workers a petition signed by
hve mine workers districts is necessary
to call a special convention.
Unanimous for Meeting.
The three anthracite districts are unani.
nous for such a meeting and 1t is likely
that the West Virginia district and the
Michigan district will consent TO the Is
suance OF the call. The two latter district:
now have small but stubborn strikes II
progress and they viii doubtless consent
to the call, so that they too. may receive
the benefit OF whatever may be accom-
plshed.
National Secretary Treasurer w. B. VIII
son OF indianapolis said today that withir
the next two or three weeks, regardless
OF the special convention 10000 men II
Virginia and West Virginia and from 10, ,00t
to 10000 in the soft coal region Of centra
> Pennsylvania. will be on a strike. The,
will be called out, he said, for the purpose
OF forcing the mine owners to give then
higher wages and incidentally to help tn,
anthracite workers. These men are partly
organized.
Question of Rights.
A point has been raised that the United
Mine Workers cannot call out the mel
employed by companies with whom tn,
miners have yearly contracts or wag'
agreements. but Secretary Wilson salt
that such is not the case He said that tn,
mine workers organization respects al
such agreements or contracts, but adde'
that a general convention has power Il
abrogate them II 1t deems such actioI
necessary. II the life Of the union was en-
dangered. Mr.. Wilson said, then a conyen
tion would call out men working unde
contracts or agreements,
The correspondent OF the Associated Pres
made an effort today to learn what steps. 1
any, had been taken in the direction of
sympathetic strike Of other trades unions
II was learned that some OF the labo
leaders OF the country had informall,
discussed such a movement some time be
fore the present strike was inaugurated
but that no definite plan presented itself.
Engineers. FiFcmen and Pumpera.
The matter Of calling out the engineers
fremen and pump-runners from the an
thracite mines to allow the workings 4
become hooded and damaged. was left b
the convention to the discretion OF tn
national and district officers. What the
win do cannot be definitely learned. but 1
seems probable that these men will be per
mittsd 20 remain at work for the presen
al least. II was said at strike headquarter
today by an official that the United Min
Workers organization has all along fol
lowed the policy Of protecting mine prop
erty on the ground that the destruction O
accumulated wealth. as a rule. ultmatel
anects the workmen seriously.
Notwithstanding that $4,000 men hav
been idle for the last hve days no dis
turbances Of any kind have been reporte
here. The region is extremely quiet Al
the delegates left for their homes tods
and HaEleton presented a deserted appear
ance.
All OF the local unions throughout tn
coal neld held meetings this afternoon 0
tonight and received reports from thei
convention delegates. Steps we're take
BY most Of the Nloeals" TO give relief I
the members, II needed. They expect
long strike.
Operators Ready for LOaE Fight.
President Mitchell said today that h
had had no communication with any on
bearing on q settlement OF the strike.
fhe eoa companies continue their prep
arasions for long strugEle. Ains mule
sscssHsee on Second Pase.l