Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-30
BETTER MINING LAWS
Positive Stand Taken for the Craft
BY the United Mine Workers.
A UNIFORM WAGE SCALE WANTED.
Secretary Hays. of the X. of H., Gets Into 4
Big Hornets Nest.
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL ITEMS

The annual convention of Division No. 5,
held in knights of Labor Hall yesterday.
1t was the largest convention held by the
miners for several years, more than 60 dele
gates being present.
In the absence of President Mclaughlin,
who is confined to his home with rheuma-
tism, Vice President j. w. Parker pre-
sided. Secretary Boyd was on hand to at
tend to his duties. Some dignity was also
added to the meeting by the presence of
Robert Watchoru, the National Secretary,
who has been in this section for some days
looking after the interests of tue men in the
Monongahela river strike
The meeting was particularly important,
owing to this strike and the terrible disaster
which befell so many of their fellow work
men near Mt. Pleasant this week. This lat
ter point was the subject for discussion dur
ing the whole Of the forenoon session. 1t
did not take the convention long to arrive
at the conclusion that better protection
sho uld be provided against such accidents.
Better Protection to Be Demanded.
Mr.. Collins, who represents the Panhandle
division, offered a resolution to the effect
that the mining laws of the Commonwealth
be revised as to offer better protection to the
craft. A committee, with Mr. Collins as chair
man, was appointed to consider the matter
further, and some radical measure is expected
to be offered to-day. The convention will either
order the preparation of a new bill bearing on
the subject or favor the adoption of the Farrell
bill, now IN the Legislature.
matter MOnOnpl-
hela strike. The report of the Conference
Committee that had met the operators. but
failed to settle the difficulty, was heard. and
after = lengthy discussion, the former position
of the miners in demanding 81 cents was re-
affirmed. AS all but one of the IS pits in the
district were represented, and the action on the
demands was unanimous, the impression is
created that the miners mean to hight the mat
Ter to a bitter end.
A lively contest occurred over 4 matter of in
ternal significance to the miners. TIE ques-
ton of supporting the national defense fund
came uD, and disposition cropped out IN the
convention to withdraw from the national Con-
Germ and establish a local fund to support mat
tiers OF interest only to Division No j.
A Defense of the National Fund.
The proposition was about to be carried.
when National Secretary Watchorn was given
the privilege of the floor for the purpose of de-
Tending the National fund. He pointed out
the necessity of standing by the National or
ganization in every particular. If the district
were to withdraw from the national fund, the
strength of the National organization would
be broken in case of general movement.
When the vote was taken the proposition to
withdraw was defeated.
The "pluck-me" stores will receive black
eye in the future. The miners are determined
not to have anything more to do with them.
Resolutions were passed demanding their abo-
lition, and asking that the men be paid IN cash
every week. Other resolutions were passed.
lndorsing the eight-hOur work day movement
and demanding that the use of screens be dis
continued and that &c cents a ton for the run Of
the mine be paid
If all these and many other measures which
are to be brought up to-day prevail. a new era
will be marked in the history of the Western
PENNSYLVANIA miners. The miners have long
felt that their class has been trodden on by
their employers. and future efforts will be
directed In the line of progression.
To-day the convention, will elect officers and
delegates to the Columbus convention on Feb
ruary 10; consider the mining laws further and
wind ap the business of the session.