The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-25
A GREAT STRIKE OF
MINERS THREATENS
Operators Refuse to Meet
Union Representatives
WAGE SCALE UNSETTLED
The Shamokin Convention Declares q
Provisional Strike.
THE DATE IS TO BE DECIDED LATER
If This Strike In the Anthracite Region Occurs
It May EInyoIye 100000 Men. An
Appeal Made 10 The Civic
Federation.
WAGE SCALE UNSETTLED
The Shamokin Convention Declares q
Provisional Strike.
THE DATE is TO BE DECIDED LATER
Federation.
(By the Associated Press.l

Shamokin, Pa, March 24.-Unless the
fective with the coal operators it is more
than likely that repetition of the strug-
gle OF 1900 will occur in the anthracite
region. In that year 100000 employees of
the anthracite mines were out on strike
for six weeks. The convention today of
districts No. 1, and g. United Mine
Workers of America, which districts COM
prise the entire anthracite field, made a
provisional strike declaration, leaving the
date to be decided by the executive boards
OF three districts. This was practically
the last official act of the delegates and
the convention adjourned sine die at 4
O'Clock. The resolution containing the
ultimatum of the mine workers was fol-
lowed by a scene of wild enthusiasm and
the house rang with the acclamation of
the delegates, who, with Iusty cheers. ap-
proved the work of the resolution COM
mittee and expressed their confidence in
President Mitchell.
Before completing the draft of the reso-
luton, President Mitchell teIegraphed the
presidents of the coal-carrying roads
making a. last appeal for a conference
The telegram was as follows:
By direction of miners convention |
wire to ascertain if your company will
join other anthracite coal companies in
conference with committee representing
anthracite mine workers for the purpose
of discussing and adjusting differences
which affect companies and all employees
alike. Please answer"
He received several replies, one of
which was from President Baer, of the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron
Company, and all of which refused to
meet the representatives of the union.
Others made no response. The text of their
replies were not made public.
This resulted in the formulation of the
resolution presented today and according
to President Mitchell, it was adopted
without a dissenting vote The resolu-
tion provides for the appointment of a
committee by the third district executive
boards who will carry the mine workers
demands to the conciliation committee of
the Civic Federation with an appeal to
that organization for assistance. This
committee which consist of IA members,
was appointed tonight.
During the day President Mitchell was
in communication by telephone with Sec
retary Ralph M. Easily, of the Civic Fed
Grafton, to whom he announced the decs-
ion of the convention. This organization
is empowered by it's constitution to use
its good Offices to prevent strikes when
appealed to by one of the parties to the
proposed rupture.
President Mitchell said tonight there
had been a misapprehensicn concerning
the sentiment of the convention. All of
the delegates favored conservatism, he
said, but they were unanimous in their
demands for an adjustment of their griev-
ances.