The Cairo bulletin., 1907-12-05
Who WILL LEAD
MINE Workers.
MINERS WILL BALLOT FOR NIT
cHELL's SUCCESSOR NEXT
WEEK.
ONLY TWO CANDIDATES
Wilson Probably Better knoWn-vicc
President Lewis His Opponent
Radical Change OF Policy
Expected.

Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. 4--The local
unions of the United Mine Workers Of
America will ballot next week to
choose successor to President John
Mitchell, who has been the national
head Of the great organization for the
past ten years. The i'll health of Mr..
Mitchell has forced his retirement
from the presidency position 10
which he could undoubtedly have been
reelected had he so desired
There is general feeling that with
a new man at the helm of affairs
there will come some radical changes
in the policy of the big labor organ
ization. For this reason the election
next week is awaited with keen iu-
terest in labor and Industrial cir
cles.
Two candidates are in the field for
the presidency. They are Thomas
l., Lewis, vice president of the organ
ization, and William B. Wilson, secre-
tary treasurer The indications are
that Mr. Wilson is slightly in the
lead, though Vice President Lewis
is expected to give him close race. !
OF the two, Mr., Wilson is probably !
the better known as his position Of
secretary-treasurer which he has held
for many years, has brought him into
close relations with the rank and file
of the organization throughout the
country. Mr. Wilson comes from
Pennsylvania, where he has long been !
prominent in labor affairs and more
recently has taken an active part ii
politics, as a representative of argan- /
lied labor In the years that be has
fiied the office of secretary.tresurari /
Of the United Mine Workers he has
handled millions of dollars of the
lgfads of tho srsani1ation He has
given general satisfaction in the per.
ormanee OF his duties and is popular
With the members Of the organization
lot only In his own state but in other
states as well. Though Mr.. Mitchell
las declined to interfere in the con- 4
est in any way II is generally be.
ieved that he would like to see Mr..
Wilson, with whom he has always
'een on terms of intimate friendship,
hosen as his successor.
Vice President Thomas l.. Lewis,
he opponent of Mr.. Wilson for the
presidency, is resident of Ohio, He
as been active in the affairs of the {
nine workers for ,ulapyy,s N, years and IL {
as Well known To the indim Il
'ership as is Mr. Wilson. Reports t
ave been circulated that President
iitchen anB vice RresidentiS Lewis c
ne not dr. eoosl terms. But Tabess &
eports are denied at the general /
eadquarters of the organization In 4
his city While 1t Is true the two a
III not agree on several important +
uestions that have come up in coa; a
ention it is said that the differences u
Id not bring about .ill-feeling Four i
ears ago, when the operators de Il
randel three perceift reductions "a, e
ages at Indianapolis convention, u
Mitchell and Vice President b
ewis3fayored the. plan.a 10, avoid ser III
,us TROUBLES They found themselves III
pposed bN-s. ahpabersof 1sfsciabsfropsft II
2rfousi states. FinaHy .ths praposi' s
on was submitted to a referendum Is
ote, and the NATIONAL officers were IN
plfelds At a recent. conference Of Of o
Indiana. Illipeis, Ohio anil Ia
held in this city both t
IT. Mitchell and Mr., Lewis we're pres
1T. and there was no Indication of III
'eifne. ~, .- n
There is little contest for offices
itside of the presidency. Should Mr..
-ilson be chosen president it is prob
bic that William ID. Ryan of Illinois
ould be chosen to succeed him as N
of the national or
Mr. Ryan at present fills
similar position with the Illinois
-ganization. John p White of Iowa
the only candidate for vice presi-
,ns.
-Rnaaar l..