Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1906 — MITCHELL AND DOLAN [ARTICLE]

MITCHELL AND DOLAN

U. M. W. President Saye He Will Reply to Hie Critic at the Proper Time. TALKS LITTLE FOR THE PAPERS But Puts a Sting in the Tail of What He Does Say. Hints That the Pittsburg Man Is a Disorganizer No Hope for Peace in the Southwestern Mines. Pittsburg, Feb. 15.—1 tis stated here that John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers, has called a special session of the national executive board at Indianapolis early In March. The board will decided whether to call another convention of the miners or to Issue this ultimatum: “An advance in wages or strike.” Pittsburg. Feb. 13. —Patrick Dolan, president of the Pittsburg branch of the miners’ union, In a statement in reply to the attacks of his foes, tells the members of the organization that they never won a strike under Mitchell's leadership and calls the present situation ridiculous. ?few York, Feb. 13.—President John Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers, who arrived here Sunday night to prepare for the conference on Thursday between the mine workers of the anthracite region and their employers, spent a busy day at the headquarters In the Ashland House, arranging his programme for the meeting. The miners’ president brought with him from Indianapolis a large trunk filled with documents and statistics relating to the hard coal industry In Pennsylvania, which he will use at the conference. He remained in his room practically all day. and had no visitors of any prominence. Mitchell declined to discuss the anthracite coal situation, so far as it related to the miners’ union, in advance of the meeting with the operators. Neither would he talk of the conditions in the west. Dolan a Disorganizer ? Mitchell was much interested in the statement given out by District President Patrick I>olan, of Pittsburg. When first approached on the subject he declined to discuss Dolan's action, but later in the day he dictated the following: “I do not propose to be drawn into a newspaper controversy with Mr. Dolan or any one else. At the proper time and in the proper way 1 shall make answer. At present lam too busily engaged solidifying the ranks of the miners and protecting their interests to say anything that would assist him in his apparent efforts to destroy their hopes and to divide their strength.” Conferring with His Lieutenants. Although absorbed in work relating to the coming conference he is keeping in close touch with the situation in the various bituminous coal fields. Mitchell was In conference with the president of the three anthracite districts—T. D. Nicholls. William H. Dettrey and John Fahy—who will take up most of his time between now and Thursday in the work of perfecting the demands or proposition to be laid before the coal mine owners. The outline of these demands was drafted by the three executive boards of the hard coal fields at a series of meetings held last week at Wllkesbarre. Position of the Operators.

The coal mine operators have come .to a full understanding and have agreed as to the general policy they will pursue at the conference with the committee of the mine workers' union to be held here Thursday next. The presidents of the coal carrying roads are unwilling to discuss for publication the questions at issue between themselves and the United Mine Worki ers prior to their meeting with Mr. 1 Mitchell and his associates, but their i position, elicted by careful canvas, is as one president put it. such that “the miners will have to strike or back down.” "We do not propose," he said, “to accede to their demands in any way and do not see what else they can do but strike.” No Hope of Agreement Here. Pittsburg, Kan., Feb. 13.—The coal operators of this district have concluded that ail hope of an agreement between the miners and operators lias vanished, and in anticipation of n conflict President W. C. Perry, of the Southwestern Interstate Coal Operators’ association, has issued a general cal) for a meeting of the operators at Kansas City on Feb. 24. The tone ot the call forebodes that an agreement between the operators and miners Is unlikely, and as a result there will probably be a suspension of work on April 1. The operators are determined to remain flrm in their |*osition. and they will adopt measures to protect themselves in case of a strike.