The New York herald., 1922-09-08
CROWDS JAM LEWIS
OUT OF CONVENTION
Unable to Enter as Miners
Mass to Keep Insurgents
From Hall.
ADJOURN UNTIL To- DAY
Leader Says Sentiment Grows
Hourly for Ratification
Of Peace.
ADJOURN UNTIL To- DAY

Special Dispatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
WrLKEs-BARRE. Pa, Sept. 1.-THE
passing hours bring us more convincing
proof of the inevitable end OF this con-
vention ratification of the peace pro-
posal by an overwhelming majority"
said John l.. Lewis, president OF the
United Mine Workers following the sud-
den ending OF this afternoons session
of the tri-district convention
The international president predicted
that a vote on the Pepper Reed Lewis
peace pact would come Saturday after
noon. although he said it was possible
the convention would swing over until
next week.
whether it is Saturday or Monday
or some other day." he said, there can
only be one resut-the anthracite min
ers win accept this peace proposal as
one Of the great victories of their his
tory"
The afternoon session was adjourned
before it really got under way. Hum
di eds of idle miners, believing that in
surgents in the ranks would start
something filled the convention hall
to the exclusion Of many OF the $50
delegates. Hundreds more were outside
trying to force their way in. Lewis and
Phil Murray, international vce-presi-
dent, were unable to enter the hall.
Delegates were bitter in their protests
Several threatened to go home. Thomas
Kennedy, president of District No. z,
who was on the platform. shouted that
the convention would reconvene to-mor-
row at go A. NJ.
Delegates to Get I'm First.
TT 80 ~ Il
delay. all delegates win be admitted by
card and no one else will get in until
the delegates are in their places.
The morning session was taken up
with a chronological report of the nego-
tiations between operators and miners.
Kennedy had not completed his survey
at the noon adjournment and the pro-
gram was for him TO finish Tho report
in the afternoon.
Murray was ready to deliver the key
note speech for the Lewis administra-
tion when the crowds caused an ad-
journment. The tentative agreement
will be submitted tomorrow and miners
will be asked TO sign it. Debate will
not open until after Murray has spoken.
Policemen, armed with riot clubs, will
be on duty until the convention ends.
Insurgents have not given up their
fight. but they are steadily losing ground.
An effort was made TO get all instructed
delegates together and have them vote
as a unit for ratification. few "de
hards7 prevented this plan being carried
out
Not to Check Debate.
The voting strength OF the 600 dele
e. ties present will he LISP. Lewis
forces say they will.. get 1900 of this
number. but the insurgent crowd charge
that the claim Is farytoo high.
Lewis declared tonight that there
would not be any attempt TO check de-
bate. There Is no attempt to hide the
fact that the administration is looking
for bitter arguments. They are not
overlooking the fact that the insurgents
may attempt to stampede the convention.
Both insurgents and regulars admit that
District No. will cast an almost solid
vote for ratification Of the Pepper Reed
plan. District No. 3 has majority for
ratification and Is holding its forces
against the attacks Of the insurgents.
District No. l will remain loyal TO tho
Lewis forces. and while the insurgents
have gathered several delegates in Nan
tcolSe. Pittston and Edwardsville, the
main body will help swell the majority
for ratification. IL the convention ends
Saturday the men will be ordered back
TO work Monday.
Lewis presided at the morning session.
He received an ovation