The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-10
President MitcheIIs Statement and
Text OF Address Issued to
the Anthracite Miners.
PUMP MEN TO REMAIN ON DUTY
IN ORDER To PRESERVE THE PROP
ERTIEs OF THE OPERATORS.
Little Doubt that the Strike Order
VIII Be Obeyed-J. p. Morgan a.
Co. Not Consulted.

SCRANTON, Pa, May "a general
strike Of the miners OF the anthracite re-
gion has been ordered for Monday next,
but the order has a reserve qualification
attached. The question as TO whether the
strike is to be made permanent is left TO
the decision of convention OF delegates of
all the local organizations OF the mine
workers to be held at Hazelton next
mittee of three districts met this morning
and had three-hour session. At its con-
clusion President Mitchell gave out the
following statement:
Replies to our proposition to submit the
entire question IN dispute TO an impartial
board of arbitration have been received
from President Baer of the Philadelphia S
Reading, Chairman Thomas of the Erie
Railroad, President Truesdale of the Lack
awanna and President Ohphant OF the
Delaware & Hudson, all of whom refuse TO
join us In the adjustment OF the differences
between us by the methods We propose.
The executive committees are now consid-
ering the chances OF success or possibilities
OF defeat should a strike be inaugurated.
A decisive vote on the question Will be
taken this afternoon
At 4:9O o'clock the committee again as
sembled and remained in session until 7.3O
o'clock. When the session concluded Presi-
dent Mitchell prepared statement and,
assembling the newspaper men at the 81.
Charles Hotel. read to them as follows from
a typewriter paper:
ITO the Anthracite Mine Workers of Penn
sylvania:
Gentlemen: The executive committees
of the anthracite mine workers who were
delegated by the Shamokin convention TO
represent you in the negotiations with the
railroad presidents and mine operators for
the purpose of obtaining increased wages,
shorter hours and better conditions OF en-
ployment have exhausted all peaceable,
conciliatory and honorable means at their
command, and have failed 10 secure any
concessions of a tangible nature; and.
while under the resolutions adopted by the
Shamokin convention authority was vested
in the executive committees, should they
faii In the negotiations, TO inaugurate
strike at whatever time. In their judgment.
held out the greatest promise OF success,
the committees, after three days serious
deliberation, feel that in justice to the
thraclte mine workers and those dependent
upon them, before a general strike Is in
augurated the question should be further
considered by delegate convention, in
which representatives from the various To-
cal unions shall be fully instructed by their
constituents and prepared 20 vote in favor
of or in opposition to complete cessation of
I'm the meantime all persons employed
in or around the collieries strippings.
washeries and breakers are instructed TO
temporarily abstain from working begin
ming with Monday May H. and continuing
thereafter until a final decision is reached
by delegate convention. which will con-
Hazleton, Pa. The basis OF representation
IN this convention shall be one vote for
each 100 members and one vote for each
additional 100 members majority frac-
ton thereof.
"The executive committees recommend
that special meetings Of all local unions
be held on Monday afternoon, May p for
the purpose of selecting delegates and
considering the question involved and a.
is especially recommended that specific in
structions be given to delegates 10 how
they shall vote on the proposition 10 in
augurate a strike or continue work under
present conditions.
THE instruction for all men TO suspend
work on Monday does not include flremen.
engineers, pump men and other labor
necessary to preserve the properties OF
the operators"
The order is signed by all the district
presidents and secretaries. There was a
big crowd about the St. Charles when the
order was given out and the proverbiai
dropping OF pin would have been audible
at any time. President Mitchell standing I'm
the center of the crowd on a chair, read
the statement.
Immediately upon the conclusion Of Pres
ident Mitchelrs reading the crowd scat
tered and in an incredibly short space Of
time the news had spread by word OF
mouth and message all through the val
ley. A thousand varying comments might
be heard from the miners as they learned
OF the committees action. No one sentence
could cover the general sentiment There Is
not a particle of question but that the
miners will religiously obey the order. and
that on Monday next not so much as a
shovelfu Of coal will be mined in the Lack
awanna valley
While the committee meeting was on this
afternoon President Mitchell was sum-
moned 10 answer a long-distance telephone
message. He was gone for half an hour.
Reports had it that he was in communica-
tion with Senator Hanna. He refused TO
say whether or not this was So President
Mitchell will reach Hazleton Tuesday night.
The interim will De spent here