The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-21
COAL MINERS
OF ALABAMA
Meet in State Convention In This
City.
THE WAGE QUESTION IS UP
Present Contract With the Operators
Expires on July |.
WILL AN ADVANCE BE DEMANDED
Meeting Being Held Behind Closed Doors-First
Days Session Devoted to Work of Or
ganization District is
Well Represented.
WILL AN ADVANCE BE DEMANDED

Representatives of about 5000 coal miners
of the Birmingham district met in state
convention in this city yesterday morning,
persuant to a call issued by the executive
committee of the Alabama division of
the United Mine Workers of America. With
the exception of Walker county, the district
was well represented.
The purpose of the meeting is to consider
the wage question, the present contract
between the miners and the Tennessee
Coal, Iron and Railroad company, the
largest operators in the district, expiring on
July 1.
Under the present contract these miners
are paid according to a sliding scale, based
upon the price of pig iron, of which the
company is a large producer. One clause
of the contract provides that the books
of the company shall be open to the inspec-
ton of committee of miners and this
part of the contract has been faithfully car
ried out.
Some weeks ago state convention of
miners was held in this city for the pur-
pose of affiiatng with the United Mine
Workers of America, an organization COM
posed of about 10000 coal miners of the
states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsyl-
yania and West Virginia.
AT this meeting a resolution was adopt
ed the sense of the delegates present,
that a demand for an increase in wages
should be made at the expiration of the
present contract.
The CONVEX ton
The convention yesterday was called to
order in Clerks hail. corner Third avenue
and Nineteenth street, at o'clock a. M,
by State President VIM. Farley, of Pratt
mines and the entire session was held be-
hind closed doors. Secretary John Kelley,
of Blocton, was at tn desk and the follow
ing delegates were present:
Blocton-A. H. Gentry. A. H. Watson,
John Kelley, Will Hand, Dave johnson,
Fred Fancher VIII McGinnis. w. A. Nc
Clendon, P. Zanetti, Joseph Hollier, Wash
Powell, Watt Griffin (colored), Sim Banks
(colored), Chris Cheatham (colored), r. A.
Walker (colored), William Mathis (colored),
Dan Wilson (colored).
Sumter-C. M. Coker Ccolored), George
Mcdonald (colored), p. r. Murray (col-
ored)
Johns-Rams Smith (colored) Cap Glenn
mons (colored), Pink White (colored).
Adger-J. L. Clemo, w. S. Swinney.
Blossburg-Johnson and McMurray.
West Pratt-John Lamont, John Ray,
Archie Woods, Jerry Gorff (colored), A
Woodson (colored).
Belief llen-George Leayer, James Hay
wood, John Forsenbarger, Charles Station
(colored) Ed Woods, George Baker.
Hargrove-Isaac Owens.
Brazil, Cardiff and Brooksde-Alex Brew
is, Daniel Webster, Primus Hutcheson, Ell
zie Mckenzie, George Tannehil (colored),
George Washington (colored).
Pratt City-A. J. Evans, Tom Tenney,
Frank Fourier George Barbour, William
Kirkpatrick. James Holmes, S. L. Brooks.
(colored), c. c. Cain (coEredD, Hannibal
Haywood (colored).
Got Down to Work
President Farley appointed committee
on credentials, with Frank Fourier of
Pratt City as chairman and the convention
got down to work.
The hall was cleared of all non-mners
with the exception of Adam Stewart. min
ing editor of the Labor Advocate, who was
allowed to remain
At ~ o'clock a recess was taken until
o clock for dinner At the appointed hour
the convention reaissembled and was in
session until o'clock, when adjournment
was taken until o'clock this morning.
Several of the officers were seen after
adjournment, but nothing was given out
for publication. 1t was learned that the
entire day had been devoted to organization
and that the wage question was not
reached.
From all that could be gathered previous
to the meeting it is said that an advance of
cents per ton will be asked over the
present rate, which varies at the different
mines on account of the thickness of the
veins, etc. Pratt City and Blocton now
pay 371s cents, and under the advance would
pay 421a cents.
The SiOss Contract
The miners of the Sloss Iron and Steel
company are working under a two year
contract that does not expirt until July !,
1892 which promises to develop into one of
the most interesting questions before the
convention. 1t Is said that some of the
mineres are in favor of standing by the
contract, while others are in favor of alb
rogating 1t on the grounds that the men
were not AFFILIATED with the United Mine
Workers of America at the time 1t was
made.
The operators as close mouthed as
the miners, and refuse absolutely to say
anything in connection with the question or
as to the probable action of the companies
in event a demand is made for higher
wages.
The general public Is eliciting much inter-
est in the outcome of the convention. The
merchants, who are perhaps the most |
deeply interested. are almost unanimous |
in the opinion that the matter will be |
amicably settled, and boot the idea of a |
strike.
The convention will meet again at 8 |
o'clock this morning and will possibly |
reach some conclusion before night.