The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-17
AIMS OF THE COAL MINERS.
President Bailey's Explanation Of the
National Assembly's Purposes.
The Organization Rapidly Growing Through
out the Countrywide Demands Which
Will Ultimately Be Made.

The proceedings of the National District As
sembly of Miners now in session here, are kept
very close from the public, but so far nothing
has been done aside from committee work. Yes
terday President Bailey delivered his address,
the matter of which, either as a whole or in
part, the assembly declines to give to the press.
To day definite action will be taken on some
propositions of popular import, but it is not ex
pected the reports of all the committees will be
disposed of until Monday. The chief subject to
be first taken up and carried through is the
adoption of a national constitution, and after
that will come in order the relations this organi
cation holds to miners not members of the as
sembly who are either in or out of the federated
districts. 1t is very probable the subject of
prices will come upFin form seeking action.
1.-THE delegates here" said Mr.. Bailey, "are
from coo assemblies of the Knights Of Labor.
They have an exclusive membership Of miners,
and heretofore they have had no distinct ma
tional significance except that derived from the
knights of Labor. It is the purpose now to
centralize these assemblies in national miners
association. but at the same time becr undis
turbed and undiminshed relations with the
Knights of Labor. OF that order miners by the
thousands were among the first membe Their
assemblies are to be found in the first hundred
numbers. We do not seek to antagoniZe any
other organization of miners We think the
craft can be benefited and elevated
through these methods better than
through organizations that must rely wholly Oh
miners. By our system, as Knights of Labor,
we get the help of all other trades. With us what
interchange of forces. For example, the shoe
maker cannot find miners to purchase his shoes
when labor is poorly paid If the shoemaker.
however. assists US in getting what our labor is
worth, he gets benefit from our increased abil-
ity to purchase his product. The rule works the
other way just well, and the relationship with
all trades is in no wise different This is the
liberal plan. II the federated miners wish to
pursue another course all right. 1t is selfish
one, and cannot efficiently attain the ends we
are after"
This national organization you are perfecting
will doubtless control large part of the mining
population"
Its ultimate effect will be to benefit ESQ, 900
people. Nineteen States and Territories are in
terested in mining We propose to 60 from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. 1t has been thought
that mining was among the lowest occupations.
It is desire to elevate it through this organi-
cation, which will be indeed better for the en-
ployer. Now there is no certainty of peaceful
state of affairs. Operators cannot make con-
tracts with any degree of assurance that dis
turbances will not arise TO affect their
ful6llment. This condition, too is of
disadvantage to the miners. Therefore,
both he ana the operator are mutually
interested in any plan condition that will set
tie affairs and free mining of repeated conten-
tions as to prices. We want to reach an under
standing that will enable us to get portion of
the increased tax on consumption For instance,
the latest estimated output OF the anthracite re-
gion is 81 600, 900 tons. The operators have ad-
vanced the price to the consumer twenty-five
cents per ton This is an extra toll ageregating
SIS, 500, 900 denied the miners OF this they
ought to have their share, but these increases
are made without our knowing anything about
them. It is this injustice we, among other
things, wish to obliterate."
What is the basis or your central organiza-
tion9'
THAT Of markets. For example, northern
Indiana and Illinois coal goes to the Same mar
ket. The miners assemblies in this region will
constitute a sub-district, the valleys of Ohio
another, theirirer product from the Kanawha.
Monongahela and YoHghiogheny regions will
be arother subdistrict, will the Maryland
and Virginia mines, and so on These subdis-
tricts will be subject to the National District AS
sembly, and that in turn to the knights of La
Dor. 1t is aconstitution for this system we are
now formulating"
Mr.. Bailey declined to say anything in regard
20 the coming Knights of Labor convention at
Richmond. When Mr.. Powderly's name was
mentioned he conteuted himself with the simple
statement. "Mr. Powderly and l are intimate
friends. He is an excellent man."