Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-12-04
WHO Will HEAD
Mine WORKERS
RETIREMENT OF PRESIDENT
JOHN MITCHELL LEADS TO
SPIRITED CONTEST AND MAY
RESULT IN ENTIRE CHANGE
OF POLICY.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Dec. a.
The local unions of the United Mine
Workers of America will ballot next
week to choose successor to Presi-
dent John Mitchell who has been
the national head of the great or
ganization for the past ten years.
The i'll health of Mr.. Mitchell has
forced his retirement from the pres
idency, a position to which he could
undoubtedly have been reelected
had he so desired
There is a general feeling that
with new man at the helm Of af-
changes in the policy of the big
labor organization. For this reason
the election next week is awaited
with keen interest in labor and in
dustrial circles.
Two candidates are in the field
for the presidency. They are Thomas
L. Lewis, vice president of the or
ganiZation, and William B. Wilson,
secretary treasurer. The indications
are that Mr. Wilson is slightly in
the lead, though Vice President
Lewis is expected to give him a
close race
W. B. Wilson Leads for Place
OF the two, Mr.. Wilson Is prob
ably the better known as his posi-
ton of secretary-treasurer, which
he has held for many years. has
E brought him into close relations
with the rank and file of the organ
ization 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 in politics
as representative of organized la,
Dor. In the years that he has filled
the Office of secretary-treasurer Of
the United Mine Workers he ha!
: funds of the organization. He has
Z given general satisfaction in thu
| performance of his duties, and II
1 popular with the members of the or
| ganization, not only in his owl
| state but in other states as we'll
| Though Mr.. Mitchell has declined II
| interfere in the contest in any way
| it is generally believed that h.
/ would like to see Mr.. Wilson, will
/ whom he has always been on term
of intimate friendship, chosen as hi
successor.
| Lewis His Chief Opponent
i Vice President Thomas L. Lewis
the opponent of Mr.. Wilson for tn
presidency, is a resident of Ohio H
has been active in the affairs of tn
mine workers for many years and 1
probably as well known to the mem
bership as is Mr.. Wilson. Report
| have been circulated that Presiden
l Mitchell and Vice President Levi
| are not on good terms, but thes
reports are denied at the genera
headquarters of the organization i
I this city. While it is true the tw
| did not agree on several importan
| questions that have come up in con
| vention. 1t is said that the differ
ences did not bring about ill-feelinl
| Four years ago, when the operator
| demanded a 8 per cent reduction i
| wages at the Indianapolis CONVEX
| ton President Mitchell and Vic
| President Lewis favored the plan, t
avoid serious trouble. They foun
! themselves opposed by number {
officials from various states. FINAL
the proposition was submitted to
~ referendum vote, and the nationi
/ officers were upheld. At a recer
? conference of officials from indiana
I Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvani;
! held in this city, both Mr.. Mitche
I and Mrs. Lewis were present, an
I there was no indication of III fee
ing.
] There is little contest for ofF1c,
4 outside of the presidency. Shou
Mr.. Wilson be chosen president, it
3 probable that William D. Ryan
"a Illinois would be chosen to succet
him as secretary of the n
tional organization. Mr.. Ryan
present fills a similar position wit
the Illinois organization. John
White of Iowa is the only candida