The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-03
Gigantic Walkout of United Mine
Workers Is Probable
April /.
MITCHELL REVEALS II
COST OF LAST CLASH
Millions Involved in Possible Gen.
eral Suspension of the Coal
Industry. :.

Indianapolis, Feb. 3.-The national
executive board of the United Mine
Workers Of America went into session
behind locked doors today.e 49,.
According to the figures at the head
quarters of the mine workers, general
strike April would bring out of the
mines 100000 men if the non-union min
ers of West Virginia, numbering 1907
900, could be induced to strike with the
union men of the other districts.
| The last Of the operators and miners
| left for their homes today, leaving only
the members Of the national executive
board of the mine workers here. There
was feeling of optimism among both
operators and miners when they left:
/ Few expressed belief that there would
be strike, tho no one ventured to pre-
dict the means by which a strike would
be averted.
! In Secret Session.
President Mitchell said this afternoon
the national executive board would
and adjourn. He declined to state what
matters are being considered. Mr..
Mitchell will leave for the east about
Feb. 10, to meet the operators and rail
road presidents of the anthracite region
In conference Feb. Is.
There have been intimations that
either President Roosevelt or the Ma
tional Civic Federation may be asked
to endeavor to rehabilitate the joint
state agreement or at least secure 9
discussion of means of bringing the
operators and miners together again
AS far as known, however, there is
nothing on which to base this.
Mitchell's Statements.
Highly significant statements were
made by President Mitchell, first in his
admonition that each miner save enough
from his earnings to make him selfsus
tanning for reasonable time, and AGAR
when in answer to the question of {
delegate he said: -~.---- .--,--.-. .-
'The resolution is capable of no tive
interpretations
= This afternoon John Mitchell dis
cussed some of the phasesaofz the ssitua
ton. zZss s;y., -. Is5.zrs .
has strike. Of such far-reaehing effec
been threatened. It means a nationa
suspension of. coal mining If the strik
comes at the expiration of our con
tracts, March 81, and it includes tn
anthracite districts.
evil this action Of the miners hav
any effect on the meeting of the anthrs
cite miners and operators Feb. 1922
81 don It know. at this time,' he sale
"Well. you will meet the anthracit
operatorsP''
eyes, he replied. emo change
have been made in the plans.'
"I have said,'' declared Mr.. Mitche
"that the responsibility of bringing o
such a strike is a grave responsibility
We have been slow to assume it, an
the responsibility rests, we maintain
on the operators.
"The prosperous condition Of the cou,
try warrants An increase for the miner
We accepted decrease by our ow
votes two years ago, when we were col
WINGED that conditions demanded it. "
have ever been ready to stand right an
we stand right now.'
Losses Are Tremendous.
When questioned about the cost
the anthracite strike he said that it hs
been estimated by the strike commi
sion to be loss Of $25 100000 in Wag
to the miners, 5O,OO0,O00 in profits =
the operators and $26,0OU,OOO loss
freight rates.
The dollar assessment will raise a
proximately $2,5Oo,OOO in the nation
treasury funds by April /. The 9
ganization now has in all it's treasure
$2679 13442