The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-08-11
THIS CONVENTION
An IMPORTANT ONE
Eyes of Miners All Over Coun.
try Are Turned to Ind.
annapolis Today.
IT MARKS GRAVE CRISIS
FRACTIONAL DIFFERENCES be.
TWEEN PRESIDENT LEWIS AND
HIS OPPONENTS ARE TO be BIT.
TERLY FOUGHT.


HIS OPPONENTS ARE TO be BIT
TERLY FOUGHT.
Indianapolis. Aug. 1.-THE eyes OF
all members of the United Mine Work
ers, from the coal fields OF West vir-
ginia and Central Pennsylvania north
west to British Columbia and south
west to Texas and Oklahoma, are to-
day turned toward this city. where
special convention of the national
organization 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 differences between
President Lewis and those opposed
to his policies will be fought out on
the convention floor Is regarded as a
certainty, and 1t would not be surpris-
ing II serious split in the ranks
should ensue.
Within the past few weeks the af-
fairs of the organization have been
rapidly approaching a crisis. At the
present time there are more than
100000 members Of the United Mine
Workers on strike. About $4,000 are
involved in the great conflict in Illi-
nois. In the southwestern district,
which embraces the states Of Missouri.
Kansas. Oklahoma, Arkansas and
Texas, there are over 10000 men on
strike. In Pennsylvania there are
about $4,000. in Ohio about 5000 and
in Colorado about 1000. 1t is possible
that this list will be increased next
month when the existing contracts be-
tween the operators and miners ex-
pire in Wyoming and Washington.
The fight against President Lewis
is due primarily to the situation in
Illinois. which reached an acute stage
q week or SO ago following the rejec-
tion by the miners of the compromise
settlement engineered by President
Lewis. The latter attempted to forca
the compromise on the men and com.
pei them to return to work, while John
H. Walker. president of the Illinois
district and one Of the most influen.
tial leaders in the national organiza-
ton, urged the men to stand firm, be-
lieving that they had the long fight
won.
The Illinois miners almost to man
are said to be supporting Walker in
his efforts to hold out against the
operators and in his opposition to the
compromise plan of President Lewis
A number of the Illinois local unions
have gone 30 far as to adopt resolu'
lions condemning President Lewis and
calling on him to resign from the of.
flee he holds.
State President Walker makes nc
secret of his intention to work for the
overthrow Of President Lewis. Many
of the miners Of Illinois are insisting
that Walker become q candidate fol
the presidency OF the national organ
ixation. When Walker and Lewis con
4 tested for the presidency two years
ago the latter polled S3,037 votes
against 66.76s for Walker. . majorit,
OF 1920. The Illinois miners may
be joined by those Of other states IN
the support of Walker. and the lat
ter's supporters feel positive OF his
election in the event he enters the
fight for president.
i Lewis still has many loyal follow
ers among the members Of the organ
isation and any attempt to depose hin
will be bitterly fought. He has helt
the presidency since the spring o.
1908. when he was elected to succeed
John Mitchell. Prior to that time hi
had held the vice presidency for {
number OF years. 1t Is a we'll known
fact that President Mitchell was op
posed to the policies of Lewis and
would have preferred to have Secrc
tary w. B. Wilson succeed him.
Il Career Of Lewis.
Lewis began his mining career a
the age Of seven years as . slate pick
er on the breakers In Pennsylvania
He first came into prominence at tn.
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 thu
Wheeling Creek company for thre,
years. and In 1892 gave up his work t
accept the position Of secretary.treas
urer Of the Ohio miners Organization
In 1900 he was chosen national vic,
president Of the United Mine Work
ers of America.
That President Lewis intends {.
take definite action to sQuelch tn,
revolt organized against his admins
tration Is evidenced by the statemen
included In his call for the presen
convention. the purpose Of which 4
stated to be TO take such action a. 4
Necessary to require the officers IN,
members OF the United Mine Worker
to respect and comply with the auth
ority OF the International executiv,
board"
The call did not specifically mention
the conflict between President Levi
and the Illinois miners. but that thi
clash will Be threshed out on the foo
Of the convention IL regarded a
certainty BY those familiar with tn,
situation.
i British Labor Party.
j A report Of the British Labor party