The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-11
NOT A CANDIDATE
 FOR REELECTION
JOHN MITCHELL ANNOUNCES THAT HE WILL NO LONGER AC- cEPT PRESIDENCY OF UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA.

Indianapolis Ind, October 10.-John i Mitchell, president of the United Mine 1 Workers, announces in the current issue of the United Mine Workers 1 Journal that he will not be candi- date for reelection as president. He I says in his announcement that he does not regard himself as well enough to attend properly to the office. None of the executive officers of the organiza- tion was in the city today. It is said at Headquarters that MT. Mitchell will finish his present term as president, which expires April of next year.
 Mir Mitchell underwent a surgical operation about six months ago and 1t is said that he has not fully recovered.
 MT. Mitchell's announcement is as follows:
 "To the officers and Members of the
 United Mine Workers of America.
 "Greetng=Inasmuch as notices call ing for nominations are being sent out from the offices of the secretary, and in order that all local unions and mem bers thereof may be in position to ex- press their choice for the office of president, I herewith announce that shall not be candidate for the presi- dency of your organization.
 q am prompted to arrive at this decision because I believe that l am no longer well enough to give your interests the consideration their impor- tance demands.
 T shall explain in greater detail in my next report at the coming conven- tion the causes which impel me to give up the high office to which you have elected me for so many years.
 T thank you for the confidence you have reposed fin me, and l beg you to believe that the advancement of my craft has been my highest ambition.
 (Signed) JOHN MITCHELL,
 "Prest U. M. w. of A."
 The nominations to which MT. Mitchell refers are to reach the inter- national headquarters in this. city not later than November. ., from the vari- ous local unions of the organization. The referendum vote on the election must reach headquarters not later than twenty days prior to the convention, which will be held in this city in Jan uary of next year. The term of MT. Mitchell. however, does not expire un- til April l. Mir. Mitchell has been president of the United Mine Workers Union of America since 1898.
 Wilkesbarre, Pa, October 1O.-The news from Indianapolis that John Nit chell president of the United Mine Work CTS of America. had announced that he will not be a candidate for reelection because of the state of his health, caused great regret among the union mine workers and their sympathzers through out the anthracite coal regions.
 MT. Mitchell, who led the miners to victory in the great strikes of 1900 and 1902, is exceedingly popular with the workingmen of the hard coal fields, and many expressions of disappointment were made when the news spread through the regions. The mine workers have often heard rumors that he intended to give up the presidency of the organization, and today's report was at first not believed.
 If President Mitchell cannot be induced to reconsider his decision not to again be a candidate for the presidency, it is said that the mine workers of the an- thracite region will nominate Thomas b. Nichols of Scranton, Pa, president of District No. l. as their candidate for the office. Mir. Nichols last November was elected to Congress and will take his seat in December.
 The miners expect that International Vice President Lewis and International Secretary-Terasurer Wilson will also be nominated for the office.