The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-10
CONSERVATIVE in ACTION
NINE WORKERS BOARD AGAINST
ANYTHING RADICAL.
still Considering the West Virginia
Observation-Disclosures VIII Wis
it Brazil To-day.

The next two days session OF the execu-
tive board of the United Mine Workers will
likely determine the policy TO be pursued
in settling the several disputes that now
affect the organization. The West Virginia
situation still seems TO be a weighty ques-
ton. Chris Evans, who has had charge of
the organization movement in that State
for nearly a year. arrived in the city yes
terday to appear before the board. The
state officers have also been heard and a
definite decision may be expected soon.
The board is divided to some extent on the
ACCESSIBILITY of ordering a strike because of
a doubt as to the support the unorganized
miners would give in a suspension of work
in the union mines. President Richards,
of West Virginia, said last night that the
prospects for that State were never bright
er for the miners, but as to a strike he said
nothing.
The advantages the operators have in that
State are such that a strike is a serious
venture. They practically own all the land
in the coal fields, including the food sup
ply and clothing, which is distributed
through company stores. and pay princi-
pally in script. The Morgan syndicate
owns a chain of mines thirty-six miles in
district and there is really nothing in this
tract that does not belong to the syndicate.
Another corporation, said to be controlled
or consolidated with the Morgan syndicate,
owns eighteen miles of coal land in the
same district, with the same relative con-
ditions. In these localities the operators
are said to have the greatest control in the
State and the miners are shut in, the juris-
dictiOn of the companies being so large
that discharged striking miner cannot
find pmpiOVmqnt
Strikes in West Virginia have resulted
dlsastrously for these reasons and others
incident TO the organization movement, and
the OmcerS from the Held are chary of
suspension of work President Richards
said one thing is certain, that the miners
in that State are going TO better their con-
dit1on, but that was as far as he would go.
The differences in the block coal district
of Indiana will be settled without strike
II the mine workers can accomplish ii. The
men IN the field have been out for some
time, but an official strike has not been or
dered A committee will go 10 Brazil to-
day to attempt TO settle the trouble. Vice
President Lewis viii also go on the mis-
sion and President Mitchell may ac-
company the committee.
The strike in Hopkins county, Kentucky.
which has been on for over year. was
taken up by the board. AS the miners are
sending funds into the State and have
plenty more 70 send, there was little 10 do
other than continue the present policy
The suspension of work in Michigan may
be converted into an official strike if the
trouble there is not settled.
The anthracite situation has not yet been
considered TO any extent and no action
viii likely be taken by the board regarding
II. The indications are that the whole mat
ter will be lett in the hands of the national
officers and the district presidents of the
field TO settle should the Civic Federation
fail to make an adjustment. The board
may limit the power of the officers in this
respect, but as President Mitchell has been
so successful in that field il is probable
that the situation will be intrusted TO him.