The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-05
IN BEHALF OF THE MINERS
The Annual Session of Their Federation
Considers the Official Reports.
A Good Condition Represented, but the Sec
rotary Suggests Points that Ought 10 BE
Discussed for the Benefit of the Craft.

The National Federation of Miners and Mine
Lsborers is considered one Of the most couserv-
alive labor organizations in the country. Ii
was formed three years ago in this city, and
has held itself aloof from other labor societies,
believing, as the members expressed II, that
they better understood their own needs, and
can treat with their employers to better advan-
tage, and with more satisfaction on both sides,
taan they could if the Federation was . part of
or in a measure subservient to some other So
cIety. District Assembly 135, K. Of L.. has
made frequent attempts to get the Federation
to merge into the K. of l., but up to the present
time the Federation has looked with but little
favor upon the proposition.
Yesterday afternoon the delegates convened
In Labor Hall, 1I5i East Washington street
They were called to order by Christ Evans, Sec
rotary of the executive board of the order, who,
after briefly stating the object of the meeting,
appointed Messrs. P. II. Donnelly, of Illinois; Z.
Lewis, of Ohio, add n. F. Moran, OF West Vir-
ginia, a committee on credentials. The commit
tee reported forty-two delegaces IS entitled to
seats. the States represented being Ohio, Illinois,
West Virginia, and Indiana
A permanent organization was then affected
by electipg P. Fl. Peuns, chairman; Chris
Evans, secretary; P. III. Donnelly, assistant
secretary, and Daniel McLaughlIn, treasurer.
Reports of the secretary and treasurer OF the
executive board showed the order to be in good
condition.. but no figures or statistics can be
given. however, as the latter was received and
considered in secret session, and the officers re-
fused to give them out for publication at this
time.
Secretary Evans, in his report. said: 'When
We look back q few years and compare the busi-
ness methods adopted in the coal trade then and
now between the employer and the employed.
We have cause TO feel grateful that the federated
movement came into existence and placed the
coal trade in the position it now occupies. 1t is
true that the condition Of our mines is far from
what it should be, but that the principles pro-
mulgated by our organization have brought
about a much better state of affairs no one will
question. The future welfare of the organized
miners demands that We make greater efforts to
strengthen orr forces in unorganized
coal fields, and without financial provisions We
cannot accomplish the object In
view. An assessment of 10 cents per member
Der month, for three months, would, In my
judgment, be a profitable Investment for the
purpose or engaging a few teachers to instruct
the miners 10 unorgauized States the principles
OF the federation, and the necessity of a more
thorough organization. in order that We might
be better prepared to protect the general inter
ests. The joint movement between miners and
operators to msct and adjust a scale of prices
annually 10 worthy of encouragement In all
States where coal is produced. The propriety
of consulting each others interests. either
on scale prices or any other matters
connected with the trade. has been made mani
fest to all, and a elimination OF the system
should receive the hearty support of Our miners
in general The question of reducing the hours
of labor In and around the coal mines is one OF
long standing, and its advocates have struggled
hard to accomplish the much-desired end So
Tar, hewsver, very little progress has been made,
but the question is still uppermost in the minds
of many"
The secretary urged upon all the Importance
OK keeping these matters in view, and suggested
q general discussion upon the best method TO
accomplish the desired objsct. He also urged
the Importance OF united action against
the employment Of convict labor 10 the mines
of some of the States. Zone of the principal
objects of our constitution" continued he, Il:
to remove as lar IS possible the cause OF
strikes, and adopt wherever and whenever prac-
ticaole the principle Of arbitration. While We
We have endeavored to adhere strictly to this
principle We are often confronted with unreason-
able PROPOSITIONS from our employers, aud in
some cases the selfish greed Of the unscrupu-
lous ones prevents them from treating with rs
on any terms" He also referred to the system
in Togus in many localities of paying the miners
so irreRularly and forcing them to receive orders
on the companye stores, and suggested petitions
to the Legislatures to enact laws to remedy ths
evil.
At the conclusion Of the report the chairman
appointed the following committees:
On Rules and Order OF Business-John Short, Ohio;
John Kane. Indiana, and John Donovan, Illinois
On Observation-Disclosures Cantwell. Indiana; John
Mcbride, Ohio. and John Young, Illinois.
AuGiting-Wm. Hawthorn. Illinois: Ebenezer Lew.
il, Ohio. and James McGoverin, Indiana
On Laws-Samuel Leweylan. lOhio; Barton Van
Hook. Indiana. and Andrew Burke, Illinois.
After a general discussion. in secret session,
on the condition of the order. the chair ap-
pointed Alexander johnson and Wm. Gardner
as a mmitt to notify District Assembly 135.
K. of L., that the convention would be resdy at
O'Clock Wednesday morning to receive any
committee that organizatioa might wish to send
to the convention with ary proposition the K.
OF L. wished to make with the view of inducing
the Federation to join the K. of L. The con-
v~ention then adjourned until 8 o'clock this
morning.