The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-18

and influence of President Mitchell Of the |
United Mine Workers prevails with the |
members of his organization there will DO
no general strike. The chances OF such
step being taken now are very remote.
In his speech in the convention this after
noon, Mr.. Mitchell advised strongly against |
strike, that the bituminous miners con
tinue at work. and that a system OF assess
meuts upon the members Of the order
which he outlined, be carried Into effect
as the best means Of affording aid and
support to the striking anthracite men In
the East
His recommendations, IL adopted by the
convention this afternoon, would have set
tied the entire question for which the con-
veution was called and an immediate ad-
Journment would have followed
motion TO adopt the suggestions Of
President Mitchell provoked a long debate,
in which the general sentiment was against
the ordering OF the strike. The men frolu
the anthracite regions finally made a re
quest that they be allowed to hold caucus
TO determine upon an expression Of opinion
as to what they thought the convention
should do and asked an adjournment OF tho
convention for this purpose. Their request
was granted and the adjournment was
taken. The men who were In favor Of
strike were In a decided minority In the
convention. Three speeches were made by
members OF the anthracite districts ask
ing that the soft coal men walk ont and
twice as many were made by anthracite
men urging the soft coal men TO continue
at work.
SECRET SESSIONS UNDESIRABLE,
When the convention met In the after
noon, motion WINS made and carried thht
the convention 90 Mt once into executive
session John p Reese Of Iowa moved q
reconsideration Of the vote by which this
action was taken, declaring that In view
of the 1nomentous issues depending upon
the action of the convention. secret SEES
sions were undesirable.
"The entire United States is watching
this conventions" said Mr.. Reese. "and we
must take no chances Of being placed be-
fore the country in wrong light. II we
go into executive session the newspapers
Will get In Just the same. The papers nj
| ways get the proceedings when II goes into
| executive session and they always will.
| even II they have TO buy their news from
some of the gentlemen who are in favor Of
| an executive session
The speech Of Mr.. Reese carried the day
the vote was reconsidered and 1t was dc
cided that the meetings Of the convention
would be open to the public.
PRESIDENT MITCHELL's ADDRESS.
President Mitchell then delivered his ad
dress, which was ms follows;
"GentIemen: In Opening this convention
deem It my duty to make a few pref m
ipary remarks and TO suggest, In a serie
of recommendations, the policy whici
would, in nay Judgment, best protect th'
interests OF the striking anthracite min
workers and preserve untmpaired the in
tegrity of our entire organization.
"In determining the grave and importan
question which now confronts you--namely
the advisabiity of inaugurating a Nationa
suspension OF coal mining in defense Q
cur struggling fellow workmeu In the an
thracite fields of Pennsylvania-it Is in
peratiye that you should weigh with Tn
greatest possible care the momentous prob
lem with which you have 10 deal; neithe
passion nor prejudice should influence you
action in any particular, and / stncere'
trust that your decisions, whatever 1t ma
be, shall carry hope and inspiration to tina
great army of men, women and children j
the anthracite fields who are watching an
rpraying in expectation that ehis assemol
will devise some measure which shall prov
sufficient to enable them TO obtain Twin
wages and humane, American cohdllions
employment. Personally ! wish TO impress
upon YOU a realization OF the fact Una
their success viii be your success an
their defeat win be your dtfeati hor'
over. the destruction of the uhlleu MN
workers organization In the sntnrse''
fields of Pennsylvania would prove ~
greatest disaster to the American tau
nnionists.