The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-23
Special Convention of Mine Work
ers VIII Probably Be Held
Soon i'm This City.
MITCHELL HERE TOMORROW
HIS PRESENCE AT THIS TINE Is SIG
NIFICANT.
Conditions Point to Gigantic La.
Dor StruggIe-Reports from
the Strikers Field.

There now seems to be little doubt that
special convention of the United Mine
Workers will be held in Indianapolis within
the next two or three weeks TO decide how
far the anthracite strike is to be extended
into the bituminous coal regions. The
Michigan miners who have been on strike
for about two months, have voted to join
in call for a special convention. which
leaves but one vote lacking and that vote
will come from West Virginia before the
end Of the week unless radical changes are
made in that State to-day or tomorrow.
The constitution of the United Mine Work
ers requires that five districts must vote
for convention before one can be called.
The three anthracite districts that are now
on strike favor a convention, Michigan has
joined them and West Virginia will make
the necessary number.
Secretary Wilson, of the United Mine
Workers, left last night for Fairmont, w.
Va, where a conference will be held to-day
by the organizers and officers. This con-
ference will determine the policy to be
pursued in West Virginia. and that
State is already wrought up over present
conditions and the organization is in such
shape that il will have nothing to lose in
case Of defeat, there is little doubt that the
miners will be called out. The union con-
trolls about 5000 of the 5000 miners in
West Virginia and the organization be-
lieves that work will be suspended over
clared.
POINTS TO GREAT STRIKE.
The call for a special convention points
f,slxn &c ,frx-
has ever seen Every indication suggests
big strike, and from the conduct Of the
officers IL appears that they are preparing
for a gigantic struggle. President Mitchell
will be in the city tomorrow and Secretary
Wilson expects to get back from West Vir-
ginia not later than tomorrow. 1t is also
expected that other national officers will be
in the city within the next few days, all of
which is very significant. The auditing
committee of the national organization is
now at work going over the secretary
treasurer's books and unusual precautions
are being taken to keep the committee :
work secret Secretary Wilson said yesteI-
day that the report Of the committee will
not be made public. Heretofore the COM
mittee has always given the financial state
ment to the press bit il will be withheld
at this time to prevent any one from know
ing the condition of the organization. 1t is
Known tnat the organization mas consider
able funds on hand, but no statement as
to the amount Will be given out by the
officers.
What convention will do toward order
ing a suspension Of work in the bituminols
mines Is problematical. No matter what
the attitude OF the officers. the convention
has power to outline any policy 1t chooses.
1t is not likely that a strike will be or
dered in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, as these
States, with the bituminous field of Penn
sylvanla, are bound by contract with the
operators In ar interstate agreement Nary
contracts have not been signed in the BIZ
luminous field of Pennsylvania, and. next
to West Virginia and Michigan, that State
will be the first to suffer I'm the event of a
general strike. The strike may also take
in Kentucky, where conditions are not sat
isfactory, and espo cially in Hopkins county,
where the miners have teen on strike for
about two years.
The congregating OF the national officers
at headquarters at this time indicates that
they expect convention and are making
arrangements for any action II might take.
President Mitchelrs absence from the an
thracite field while the strike there is on Is
perhaps the best evidence that an impor-
tant meeting is about 10 be held in Indian
apolis. A call will likely be sent out soon
after the West Virginia conference.