The Indianapolis journal., 1899-01-17
MAKING SLOW PROGRESS
MINERS WILL NOT BE READY TO
MEET OPERATORS TODAY.
Resolution Opposing Annexation of
the Philippines voted DOwn-De-
mands of Coal DiGgers.

PITTSBURG, Jan. 16.-When the conven-
ton of United Mine Workers resumed to-
day it was announced that the scale COM
mittee had not completed it's work, and all
members who had suggestions were re-
quested to present them to the committee.
The committee on constitution reported sew
eral amendments to the constitution. Among
the most important changes were the fol-
lowing: An increase in the executive board
from six to eight members, exclusive of the
president vice president and secretary
treasurer. No district having less than 5000
members shall be entitled to representation
on the executive board: time OF holding the
national convention the third Monday in
January instead of the second Monday.
These amendments were all adopted after
some little opposition.
Resolutions were then presented opposing
the annexation of the Philippines on the
ground that they are inhabited by $780, 900
persons mostly of the coolie labor class,
and their admission would be most threat
ening to American labor and to the organ
lied trades of the country; also, opposing
the Endorsement by the convention of any
political Iarty or candidates who are op-
posed to the principle of common owner
ship. Both resolutions were defeated A
resolution to put forth efforts to organize
the miners in the anthracite region was
adopted
Contrary to expectation, the result Of the
balloting for officers was not announced at
the afternoon session. Unfavorable action
was taken on a resolution to Increase the
per capita tax so that each member may be
furnished with a copy of the United Mine
Workers Journal.
After several committee reports of minor
Importance had been read acting President
Mitchell said it would be impossible to get
through business
joint interstate convention arranged for to-
morrow. He moved that a committee be
appointed to wait on the operators and re-
quest postponement of the joint conVen-
ton until Wednesday afternoon at l O'Clock.
The motion was carried and John Mitchell,
Philip Roberts and Dennis Sullivan were
appointed. An announcement was made
that the scale committee would not be ready
to report until tomorrow morning at 2
O'Clock.
1t is understood that the operators at the
joint meeting will energetically oppose an
advance in the price OF mining and will
fight to the end any agreement looking
toward an increase in the present wages.
The business, they admit, has been better
during the last ninety days than for long
Time but they are hampered by lack or
cars for the transportation of coal. Some
of the miners delegates say they will in
SiSt both upon an advance in wages and the
eight-hour day. They claim that nearly all
the mines of the country are being worked
to their full capacity and that there is a
scarcity of miners in many districts Michi-
gan iron ore operators are sending agents
through the coal mining districts OF Illinois,
engaging coal diggers to go to the iron
mines. Altogether the situation, they say,
warrants asking for more money. Some of
the delegates even went so far as to hint
that if their demands were not complied
with strike of greater magnitude than the
country has seen for years would be 1naugu-
rated next summer
Indiana operators held caucus tonight
and decided to uphold the eight-hour clause
of the interstate agreement, which will be
opposed by all the other States.