The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-03-12
MINERS LOCALS
ARE TO DECIDE
Referendum on the Question of Ac-
cepting Operators Offer.
VOTE TO BE TAKEN MARCH IS
II II Intimntrd ThHt n the Result
should Favor n strike PRIEST
dcnt Mitchell Win Fender
Ills Resignation.

indianapolis, Ind, March s.-Th,
United Mine Workers in national con.
vention voted, Monday, To refer the
final decision as to accepting the wage
offer of the operators TO the locals.
The vote Of the locals will he cast on
March Is and The result will be count
ed at the national headquarters ii this
city, March IL ~. .,
The voting on the proposition will
be done by the miners of Indiana, ILL.,
nois, Ohio, western Pennsylvania.
Maryland, Michigan, western Ken
lucky, central Pennsylvania and West
Virginia. ,
The action of the miners was taken
In executive session after a discussion
lasting two hour. The report OF the
special committee appointed TO con-
slider and make recommendations on
the situation was read by its chair
man, President Mitchell National
Secretary Wilson was secretary of the
committee, The report was adoped by
sections and was as follows;
We, your committee, appointed for
the purpose of drafting for presentation
to this convention a general policy for
the direction OF the organization in the
crisis that now confronts It's. beg leave
to report as follows.
First, that the ultimatum of the OPP
orators be referred TO the members in
those districts whose contracts expire
on April l, 1904, TO determine by bal
lot whether they will accept or reject
the proposition.
Second, that the ballot shall be
taken or the afternoon of Tuesday.
March Is, between the hours Of one
and six O'Clock.
Third, that the mines shall be idle
On the afternoon OF March rs. In order
o give everyone an opportunity to vote
who desires to.
Fourth, each local shall select an
board who shall receive and
the ballot and make returns of
he same to the national officers.
Fifth, every member shall he fur
lished with a ballot on which the fol- /
words are printed, Those who
accepting the ultimatum OF the
'perators rather than strike, mark an
K in this square, Those who favor a
trlke rather than accept the ultimatum
I the operators mark an * in this
quare," -
THE election boards shall send the
esult Of the vote to the national aec-
etary-traasurer not later than
Wednesday. March 49, in an envelope
larked ballot returns which shall be
pened only by the national %tellers, and
10 vote shall be counted by them.
Seventh, any district desiring TO,
Iay select n person, at It's own ex-
ense, TO act as watcher while the bal
Il is being opened and counted.
Eighth, the tellers shall meet in In
annapolis on Thursday, March II, for :
le purpose OF counting the vote.
Ninth, that the ballots shall be fur
shed TO each local union by the ma :
onal organization ,
Tenth, In order that the members /,
ay thoroughly understandable situa- ,
on as II exists, the national officers :
hereby authorized TO send ont a :
containing such recommended ,
,ns as In their judgment will best '
the interests OF the ~organiza- T
On and It's members" :
Mitchell, In his circular :,
the miners, referred to and author
I'd In the resolutions, will strongly
ge the acceptance Of the proposi-
IN. 1t has been rumored here that
his advice is not taken he will ten
r his resignation as president of the 0
g%anization After adopting this re- 81
rt the miners convention adjourned W
10 die. CT
W