The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06

Amid a scene challenging in suppressed
excitement any that has ever been wit
messed in this city the annual interstate
movement inaugurated seven years ago
by the coal operators and miners of the
competitive States Of Illinois. Indiana,
Ohio and western Pennsylvania came to a
sudden and fatal end late yesterday evening
by a majority vote of the 500 delegates of
the United Mine Workers against the COM
promise and ultimatum of the operators.
The miners vote was decided at o'clock
in an executive session or the organization
in Tomlnson Hall in the face of protest
from President John Mitchell and the
other national officers. The joint conven-
ton was called together at o'clock by
Chairman j. c. Kolsem and on the roll
call by States the miners voted solidly
against the proposition and the operators
unanimously in favor of it, with Indiana
conditioned on a few minor reservations.
While the action of the miners does not
mean that gigantic strike is certain to
take place on April l. of this year, when
present contracts expire, it does cast aside
every hope but one to prevent the clash.
An amicable settlement hangs by a single
thread and that is that the miners, when
they convene in a final session tomorrow
morning refer their decision to a referen-
dunn vote of the different locals of the four
States
If the locals vote to strike then all hope
of settlement will have vanished; if they
vote to accept the compromise an adjust
ment may be effected. 1t is believed that
the convention tomorrow will refer their
action of yesterday to n referendum vote
before declaring the strike.
Never in the seven years history of the
the joint convention of operators and
miners equaled that of yesterday even
ing in decisive action and strained eX-
pectancy for interceding hand. Occupy
ing the greater part of the floor TO the right
and the entire balconies, sat the rugged
miners, their action fixed, while to the
left in lesser numbers sat the operators
firm and prosperous looking. In their faces
the realization of the Importance of the
moment was more plainly visible than that
betrayed by the grim faces of the miners.
Immediately after Chairman Kolsem rap
ped for order the proposition of the opera
tors TO sign two-year wage scale on a
basis of $50 per cent. less than the present
scale was put to a vote. 1t was lost by
the miners of the four States voting no.
A subdued confusion followed the vote,
while Frank l.. Robbins and John Mitchell
held private consultation before the con-
vention. They talked for. several minutes
and resumed their seats. Mr.. Robbins
then moved that the convention adjourn
sine die. Mr.. Mitchell seconded the mo-
ton.
ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE.
Before vote was called leaders Of both
sides came forward and conferred with each
other in mldertones for several minutes.
The subscale committee was then request
ed to meet in the anteroom and the men,
bers withdrew. They returned in fifteen
mir Wit ttar ha
retary was requested to call the roll by
States on the motion to adjourn sine die.
1t was carried unanimously.
That the referendum vote will be the
method by which final attempt will be
made TO avert the strike is almost certain.
United Mine Workers was held last
night and while it was said that
no definite action was taken, ii is
understood the board will recommend this
measure at the convention tomorrow. 1t
was also said that organizers will be sent
at once among the various local unions of
the State to present the detailed situation
before the men in the mines in order that
they may be prepared TO vote upon the
question in clear light.
PLEA OF THE MINERS.
In the convention yesterday the miners
were taken by surprise when the operators
made a motion to adjourn the convention
sine die. 1t unexpected move and
caused noticeable CONSERVATION. When the
subscale committee met during the suspen-
sion of business that followed the motion.
the miners Of the committee, through Presi-
dent Mitchell, asked that the operators give
them more time in which to bring their
organization into line. The miners asked
that committees be appointed from each
State to meet here again in two weeks when
they promised to be prepared TO vote in
20 - he THp ono tore
fused the request, saying that their terms
had been rejected after all reasonable time
had been granted the miners.
The members of the Subscale committee
were unanimously in favor of signing the
compromise.
The most notable feature of Yesterdays
events was that the miners assembled in
executive session voted down the compro-
mise after 1T had been advocated and in
dorsed by President Mitchell, Vice Presi-
dent Lewis, Secretary Wilson, Patrick
Dolan Denny Sullivan w. Il. Haskins and
others of the strongest leaders of the or
ganzation.
The miners were in secret session from
10 oclock yesterday morning until o'clock
last evening, with an hours recess a noon.
During this time the question was debated
in loud and fiery speeches, but when ris-
ing vote on its acceptance was taken at 3
o'clock il was defeated by a large majority.
notably in the balconies where sat the del
egates from the outlying States, who were
given a vote on the proposition.
1t was then that the United Mine Work
ers for the first time in its history acted
against the wishes of John Mitchell and
its national officers.
President Mitchell. who desired with his
whole heart TO accept the compromise and
thereby save the interstate movement from
a dishonorable death. made a strong speech
advocating the acceptance Of the conces-
sions OF the operators. He reviewed the
history of the movement pointed out its
strength, not only TO the miners, but to
organized labor in general. He was fol-
lowed by Vice President Lewis, members
OF the scale committee and other leaders,
who advocated the adoption of the propo-
sition.
When the measure was finally lost by the
adjournment Of the joint conference. Presi-
dent Mitchell seemed on the point Of a col
lapse. affected was he. While he did
not lose his self-posseSsion. the chagrin
that he felt was most visible. lie lighted
a cigar and left the hall alone.
MUCH Discomfort.
There was good deal of discomfort among
the miners last night. especially those who
favored the compromise as the only way
for an amicabe settlement. IL was felt
by some of the miners and the operators