The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-05
UNION MINERS ID DECIDE ON ACTION AT MEETING TODAY Stormy Session Expected to Result in Criticism of
 Various Officials
EFFORTS MADE TO
 PRESERVE PEACE
If Strike Is Declared It Will Be of Independent Units and Not General Over the
 District

Union miners, in convention today at the Orpheum theatre, will decide the mooted question:
 ITO strike or not to striker"
 That the convention will be stormy is generally predicted. Leaders, however, hold out hope that at the end the peace proposal of William B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor, will be ratified.
 Regarding the proposal of the secretary tentatively accepted by officials of the miners union, there has been on the part of miners general disapproval Se- were criticism has been heaped upon the accepted the proposal, which did not provide for a recognition of the union.
 Since the departure of the secretary 10 days ago. officials have endeavored tc pacify discordant elements, and agent. of the department of labor, William B Fairley and Hywell Davies, have ener- getieally worked for peace. It was tho subject of speculation yesterday as tt whether or not their efforts had achieved success.
 UNION OFFICIALS RETICENT
 Reticence was religiously observed or the part of officials of the union last night. It has been reported that ever If the miners in the end did ratify thu peace offering, they would criticize anG possibly depose their leaders. J. R. Ken namer. president, and J. L. Clemo, secre- tary. of District No. 20. United Mine Workers of America Neither MT. Ken, namer nor MT Clemo would vouchsafe 8 statement. It was the general under standing, however, that the convention today would, at least in the beginning be characterized by lack of harmony il not sensational incident.
 It was the consensus of opinion last night that the miners could institute in. dependent strikes, but not a genera strike. Even if they deposed present leaders and elected as their successors men in harmony with their ideas 1t is pointed out that strikers could not hope for the support of the national organiza- ton. The president of the national or ganization has already officially urged miners to accept the peace proposal ol further demands.
 It is also pointed out that strikers would be condemned by Secretary Wilson, once a miner and official in the union, and that in consequence, on the movement 1T Alabama, the national government would frown. Nevertheless. 1t is said that or account of a preponderance of ''ho heads" no one could predict with a degree of certainty the outcome of the conven. ton today.
 RATIFY FEW SUGGESTIONS
 Last night one report was to the effec that the Wilsol proposal as far as 1t sug gested concessions on the part of opera tors would De ratified and repudiated as far as 1t suggested concessions on tn, part of miners. This report was to tn, effect that miners would leave mines ant remain idle until operators agreed to z recognition of the union, and an insti tuition of an eight-hour day.
 Many miners reached Birmingham las night preparatory to attending the con vent tion today. They declined to ex press opinion as to the action of tho union in convention. They did indicate however, that they had something tt say and would insist on saying it" I is the understanding that the conven ton will be heavily attended,; that + addition to a large number of accred tied delegates many visitors would lent their presence.
 Regarding the situation, operators de clined to talk last night. 1t is a fore gone conclusion, however, that the, wilt never agree to a recognition of tn, miners union.
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