Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-02-08
THEMTNERSADJOURN
Every Hope Of Averting a Great
Coal Strike Seems Lost.
NO AGREEMENT WITH OPERATORS.
Neither WIN make Overtures fo1
Further Negotiations - Unless
other Influences Intervene
work VIII step April 4.

- Il
Mine Workers Of America was the maj
adjournment Of that body Friday al
ternoon after the dissolution OF the
Joint conference Of the operators and
miners ofthe central and southwestern
districts and after the national con-
yention had virtually impeached one
Of the Oldest officers Of the organiza-
ton for transgressing one Of the
fundamental laws Of unionism, in1
voting contrary to his instructions 70
stand for an increase Of wages. II
when the lusty voices Of the min
ers mingled in the singing Of "Ameri-
ca" had hushed, an oppressive silence
fell upon the assembled delegates ana
as President John Mitchell slowy
pronounced the words which adjourn
ed the seventeenth annual convention
without day, thus dissolying every
hope Of averting gigantic industrial
war without the intervention Of some
unexpected and powerful influence
the miners marched out Of the nall
their faces set with grim determine
ton which showed the steadfastness
Of purpose which has marked the his
tory making session just closed.
The apparent determination OF both
operators and miners indicates that
neither will make overtures for further
negotiations and unless some influence,
which is not now foreseen, steps into
the breech, $4,000 men controlled by
the United Mine Workers will walk out
Of the mines in every section OF the
country on April l.
There have been limitations that
two agencies-the president OF the
United States and the National Civic
Federation--may be appealed to set in
! motion negotiations looking to a re-
, Mobilization of the joint state agree
= nent, or at least discussion OF some
possible means of bringing the opeT-
| ators and miners together for further
: negotiations.
) So far as known, however, there Is
: nothing upon which to base an asser-
ton that either the president or the
! Civic Federation have decided to offer
I their services.
Delegate Haskins, Of Ohio, moved
: that the convention adjourn sine die
a President Mitchell saidS
i Before putting this motion wish
l. to inform the convention that there
IS will be a meeting Of the national OK
It ecutlve Loard at . o'clock SatuI day
= morning and to the delegates here
a assembled and to the members Of the
B. organization at home l. want to gay
d that they had better provide for .
IS little defense fund Of their own, and
IS those who have not laid by anything
s, in the past had better do so now II
r order that they may be self-sustain
~ Ing for at least a reasonable length
Of time"
&c The motion to adjourn was then pu
~ and carried amid cheers
During an interview Friday after
II noon President John Mitchell discussed
& some Of the phases Of the situation
IN "Never in the history Of this coun
n try has a strike Of such far-reachini
d. effect been threatened" said Mr.. Nit
r chell. ut means national suspen
IN sion of mining II the strike comes O
n at the expiration Of our mining con
ne tracts Earcn IL; ana 1t includes the an
thracite districts"
~ "WilI this action Of the miners, In
q Guiding the anthracite districts, in or
der that no contracts shall be signe
until all obtain agreements, have an
~ effect on the meeting Of the anthracit
Fl miners and operators on February Is?
"a "I don't know at this time" h
~ said.
:. "Will you meet the anthracite opeI
~ ators at that timer"
=. YES" he replied, that is the pla
ne At this time, and no changes hav
~ been made in the plans"
q According to the figures given OF
y, =. by the national officers Of the miner
y, organization they expect the strike
~ 4. bring out over COO, 900 men--about Is
~ 300 non-union miners in West vi
ginia and Pennsylvania with the 4b
900 union miners.
M. Mr.. Mitchell said that never in Il
the history Of this country was there
ess organization that could call out
eg- many men In one strike having SUI
lgi- widespread effect. II have said"
emf declared, "that the responsibility
,ro- bringing on such a strike was a gra'
5 a responsibility for any people. We ha
ma. Deen slow to assume any such respo
on Iibnlty, and the responsibility res
r a Is any one can see, on the operators.
Law. The prosperous condition Of /
ON. country warrants an increase for I
ion miners. We accepted decrease BY 0
,ent own votes two years ago, when at u
time We were convinced that the %
altions Of the country demanded
se. We have ever been ready to stand rig
om- and we stand right now.~
and President Mitchell estimated 4
eral tour people were dependent on evl
gere miner, On this estimate q nailoi
4 Utrike such ~ a planned VIII al