The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-03
Organizing the Laborers.

The State Convention of the Miners
and Laborers' Amalgamated Associa-
ton, which is to be held during the
latter part of July or early in August,
promises to be one of the most inter-
esting and important conventions ever
held by the working men of the an
thracite coal regions. The place for
holding the proposed convention has
not been settled upon yet, but it is gen.
orally believed that Altoona will be
named. George S. Harris, of Pitts
burg, the County Organizer, who has
been in Schuylkill County for the last
six months, is meeting with entire sue
cess in his efforts to bring together the
miners and ,aborers of this region.
His work in the district exceeds that
of any of his predecessors. This, how
ever, was not accomplished but by the
most strenuous efforts and labor on the
part of Mr. Harris. 1t appeared to be
the universal opinion of the miners,
after SO many failures in the past, that
they would never again become men,
bers of any organization unless it was
very clearly set forth that it would
prove beneficial.
Mr.. Harris undertook the difficult
task, and to day occupies prominent
place as an organizer. He organized
the first branch in the district on April
3, and to-day there are eleven branches,
with membership of $500 in good
standing. This includes every en-
ploye about the colliery except the
superintendants and bosses. The Hun
garians and Polanders are solid in its
support, and they are the best paying
members There are about 1000
miners in Schuylkill County. 1t is
estimated that about 10000 of the
number have already joined the organ
ization, and in another north every
man of them will be in. Each branch
has among its officers the most enlight-
ened Polanders and Hungarians, and
by this means the object of the organ
ization is explained in that class, after
which no difficulty is experienced in
getting them to enroll their names or
pay their monthly dues.
The new organization is conducted
on principles entirely different from
those of the late Miners and Laborer's
Union, and is not secret society. 1t
is purely for the interest, advancement
and protection of its members, :and in
case of the death of a member $50 will
be paid for his burial.
"Are you not afraid of detectives or
spoilers being in your midst and watch
ing your movement ?" was asked of
one of the officials.
"No, SIR" replied the old miner, "we
are not afraid of anything. Our meet
ings are not held on the hillside, but
public halls, and there is scarcely a
meeting at which strangers are not
present. There is, therefore no ne
cessity OF McParlan or his class in the
coal region" Continuing he said:
"Why, the best and most influential
business men of the country are among
our members, and remember, not for
POLITICAL purposes, either. There is
no injunction placed upon our mem
bers as to politics. They are perfect.
ly free to vote for whom they please.
Our organization cannot be used as
body to vote for any particular as
pirant to POLITICAL honors, aud any at.
tempt to do so will be frustrated. Our
present condition is worse than that OF
slaves, and whatever power we can
command will be nsed to remedy that
evil"