The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-07
Day Is Devoted to Considering the
Employers Overtures and Dis
cussing Measures of Peace.
MANY WANT A CONFLICT
Telegrams Urge Delegates to
Stand Pat" and Locals Sup
port Is Promised Them.
DELAY IN REFERENDUM
Vote Will Require a Fortnight to
Learn Results-No Change
in Attitude.

Confronted with complex and sinister
situation brought about by a deadlock be-
tween leaders and delegates, the outcome of
which will affect the industrial world. to-
days session of the national convention of
the United Mine Workers of America in
Tomlinson's Hall is watched by all eyes
of the country. In that its course of action
relative to the threatening strike of miners
in the four competitive States will be out
lined. it will undoubtedly be the most i'm
portant meeting that has ever been held in
the somewhat dramatic history Of the or
ganization.
Whether John Mitchell and his able
leaders. who favor peace. will be able to
bring the men into line and thus prevent
a strike, which, if carried out, will be the
greatest industrial conflict of the country.
is question which the future only can
answer.
There was no rest yesterday for the lead
ers of the organization. The special COM
mittee appointed TO consider the situation
was in session the greater part of the day.
A subcommittee was appointed to draw up
resolutions embodying the attitude of the
organization and its policy before the final
step is taken perforce. This committee met
last night and framed the resolution, which
will be submitted to the special committee
at $50 this morning. and then presented to
the national convention for adoption or re-
lection when it conveneS at o'clock this
morning.
COMMITTEE WANTS COMPROMISE.
The tenor of the resolutions would not be
given out last night, and further than that
the committee will recommend a referen-
dunn vote before a strike is declared their
contents is matter of speculation. How
ever, from the fact that every member of
the committee favors the acceptance of the
compromise, 1T is certain that a policy of
peace will be advocated. Should it be voted
down by the convention, the situation will
become one of almost total darkness.
There is much confidence felt that the
proposition TO submit the decision of strike
10 referendum vote will be received favor
ably by the delegates and will be ratified by
the convention. Even If this course is pur-
sued, strike may not be averted, as there
is some doubt as to majority of the local
unions voting 10 accept the compromise. One
of the skirmishes of the convention is ex-
pected to center around the question CT
whether the locals of the competitive States
only will be allowed to vote or locals of
outlying States will be given vote in
Saturdays convention.
1t is understood the resolutions prepared
by the committee will recommend that the
referendum vote be taken from the Local Is
of the four States involved. Should the
convention agree to this, strong hopes are
held out that a strike will be prevented.
MANY WORK FOR HARMONY.
Officers. leaders and miners who do not
| favor a strike are making every effort to
| bring about harmony within the ranks OF
the organization. While Saturdays action
| of the convention is the omen of a strike
on April l. the national officers hope tc
turn the tide before that time. and have
already set their shoulders to the wheel
1t is reported that men will be sent into
the mining fields TO discourage the locals
| against voting for a strike by showing
| them the terrible results that would fol-
| low.
Although there was some change of senti.
| ment noticeable among the miners yester-
| day. Ii was not believed to be of sufficient
consequence to overcome the large major.
| ity by which the compromise voted
down Saturday. There was much debating
and discussion among the miners yesterday
at their hotels. number of them re-
| ceived telegrams from their local unions
| encouraging them to stand pat on the
| action of the convention Saturday.
| IT is not believed that the proposition tC
| rescind Saturdays decision against the
| compromise will come up at the convention
| to-day for the reason that should IL agair
| be voted down, the results would make
the situation more difficult TO overcome
| However, there is nothing in the way tC
| prevent such action should it be put to
motion.
REFERENDUM NOT OPPOSED.
In case a referendum vote is taken, as il
most probably will be, il will be two weeks
at least before all returns will be received
and the final policy to which the organiza.
ton is bound can be known From con.
versations with many Of the miners of both
| factions yesterday there will evidently not
| be much opposition to the measure. The
| CONTINUED ON PAGE 8, COL. l.