The Washington times., 1910-08-11
NINE WORKERS MEET,
CRISIS IMPENDING
Convention Called by Presi-
dent Lewis May Cause
Serious Split.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Aug. 1.-THE
eyes Of all members Of the United Mine
Workers from the coal fields Of West
Virginia and central Pennsylvania
northwest 10 British Columbia and
southwest to Texas and Oklahoma, are
today turned toward this city where a
special convention OF the national or
ganization assembled in response to the
call recently issued by President Thomas
l. Lewis
Results OF the most important and far
reaching character are expected from
the convention. That the factional diff
ferences between President Lewis and
those opposed to his policies VIII be
fought out on the convention floor is
regarded certain. and It would not be
surprising # a serious split in the ranks
should ensue-
Within the last few weeks the affairs
Of the organization have been rapidly
approaching a crisis. At the present
tine there are more than 10000 members
Of the United Mine Workers on strike
About 5000 are involved in the great
conflict in Illinois. IN the southwestern
district, which embraces the States Of
Missouri. Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
and Texas. there are over 540o0 men on
strike In Pennsylvania there are about
Is %. in Ohio about 5000. and in Colo
raao about 2800. L Is possible that this
list viii be increased next month when
the existing contracts between the Op-
orators and miners expire IN wyoming
and Washington
Fight On Lewis.
The fight against President Lewis is
due primarily to the situation in uli-I
nOis. which reached an acute stage a
week OF so ago following the rejection
BY the miners OF the compromise settle
ment engineered by President Lewis
The latter attempted to force the com
promise on the men and compel them TO
return 20 work, while John H Walker.
president Of the Illinois district and one
OF the most influential leaders in the
national organization, urged the men
stand firm believing that they had the
long fight won
TIE Illinois miners almost to a man are
said TO be supporting Walker in his ef-
forts TO hold out against the operators
and in his opposition 10 the compromise
plan Of President Lewis A number OF
the Illinois local unions have gone 50 far
as 70 adopt resolutions cOndemuing
President Lewis and calling on him 10
resign from the office he holds.
State President Walker makes no Sc
cret OF his intention TO work for the
overthrow OF president Lewis Many o.
the miners Of Illinois are insisting that
Walker become candidate for the
presidency Of the national organization.
When Walker and Lewis contested for
the presidency two years ago the latter
PEELED SGC5T votes against 66.I65 for
Walker majority Of 1929
The Illinois miners may be joined by
those Of other States in the support Of
Walker and the Iatter's supporters feel
positive OF his election IN the event he
enters the fight for president
Many Loyal Followers.
Lewis stiu has many loyal followers
among the members Of the OrEaniza-
ton and any attempt to depOse him
VIII be bitterly fought He has held
the presidency since the spring OF 1905,
Mitchell Prior 20 that time he had
held the vice presidency for a number
Of years It Is q welI-knoVu fact that
President Mitchell was opposed TO the
policies Of Lewis and would have pre-
ferred TO have Secretary W B Wilson
succeed him
Lewis began his mining career at the
aEe Of seven years as q slate picker on
the breakers IN Pennsylvania He first
came into prominence at the age of
seventeen years IN connection with the
Knights OF Labor movement Later he
moved to Bridgeport, Ohio, where he
dug coal in the mines Of the Wheeling
Greek Company for three years, and In
1870 gave 10 his work 10 accept the
position o. SecreLarL--tr sureT Of the
Ohio miners orgauiZatiOu- In 1900 he
was chosen national vice president Of
the United Nine Workers OF America