The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-01-15
Big COAL STRIKE
IS A Possibility
Question Will Be Settled at
Miners Meeting at In
dianapolis.



INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 15.-Whether
there will be a strike among the an.
thracite coal miners this spring will
depend largely on the action taken at
the annual convention Of the United
Mine Workers of America. which will
convene here tomorrow and will con.
tinue in session for about two weeks.
The contracts between the anthra-
cite miners and the operators regulat-
ing the scale Of wages, will expire this
spring and one of the chief topics Of
discussion at the convention will be
the wage scale.
The committee In the eastern dis
trict had made arrangements to meet
the operators and make their demands
two weeks ago. but owing to differ
ence OF opinion within their ranks. 1t
was decided to postpone the negotia,
lions until after the convention.
Prscaution 10 Taken.
When asked his opinion OF the prob
able results OF the conventions con-
sideration OF the wage scale question.
Secretary Edwin Perry stated that no
hint OF the changes to be recommend
ed by President White would be given
until the opening of the big meeting.
This precaution Is taken to prevent
foes OF the present administration at
tending the convention fully prepared
to defeat any legislative measure in
troduced by the executive officers. An
advance publication OF the Presidents
1,.es - eu,,a
ing the we'll laid plans of the execu-
tive officers on more than one occa-
sion in the past
For several months President White
has been touring the country. address
ing local unions and comforting with
the various leaders of the miners or
CARNATIONS. II Is supposed that the
wage scale question was the chief sub.
sect Of these conferences and speech
es, but this cannot be learned definite
~. as President White refuses to be
All Of the twenty-eight districts com
prising the American organization will
be represented by delegates and the
presidents Of the districts and II the
usual custom Is carried out these pres
1dents will constitute a committee to
consider questions on the wake scale.
which promises to be the warmest pro-
position the delegates have handled in
years. Resolutions on the subject from
miners from all parts Of the country
will be read and submitted to the com.
mittee Of district presidents to report
back to the convention for final &C.
ton. The suggestions to be made by
President White which have aroused
the curiosity Of the entire organiza.
ton are expected to 30 a long way in
Influencing the recommendations of
the committee.
Economy Campaign.
Several constitutional amendments
and the launching of a campaign for
administrative economy are other i'm.
portant matters to be discussed by the
delegates.
The amendments to be proposed are
purely Technical and will cause no ma
terial change In the meaning of the
fules now governing conventions.
One recommendation that Is almost
certain to receive the backing of ma
jority Of the delegates provides for
the insertion Of provision in the
constitution for the establishment of
= court In every district of the union
for the purpose Of trying members
who are charged with violating any
policies Of the organization. The lead
ers In favor OF this recommendation
declare that the need Of such courts
will be made evident II the committee
Investigating the theft of vots In the
national election Of 1911 files charg.
% against any one for being RESPONSE
BILE for the disappearance of 10000
ballots. that are supposed to have been
taken from the union vault in the State
life Building here. The missing
votes were cast by the miners of sew.
eral Illinois districts known to be
Atrong supporters of President White.
IThos. l.. Lewis. the opposing candi.
date who was president at the time
has repeatedly declared that he knows
absolutely nothing about the theft. The
committee conducting the investiga-
,tion OF the disappearance of the bal
SVSS VIII uA0Ac TcpOTl 10 tue COnV0n.
tion. but 1t Is not known whether any
one will be accused Of the theft of the
notes.
Poor Constitution.
Recommendation will also be made
Tor the purpose Of securing a more
0peci0cally worded constitution. The
present loose wording of the constitu-
tion. according to Secretary Perry.
has placed the organization in embar-
RAISING sitYations in several previous
conventions.
When the convention IL called to or
der 1t is expected that 1900 delegates
will be In their seats. The anti-ad.
ministration men are. determined to
defeat the objects Of President White
and his hackers and the sessions will
undoubtedly be extremely bitter.
John Mitchell. former president of
the United Miners, Is expected to at
a