The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-12
CONVENTION OF
ALABAMA MINERS
District 20 Met Yesterday in
Annual Session.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
President Young Will Probably Succeed
Himself-Open War on the Knights
of Labor-Number of Dele
gates in Attendance

The United Mine Workers of America,
District No. 90 met in annual convention
in this city yesterday, with number Of
delegates in attendance.
The convention was called to order by
President Young shortly before 10 o clock.
Sandy Williams, colored, was appointed
doorkeeper.
In addressing the convention President
Young said that he hoped that in the
choice of officers the president would
choose impartial men and those who would
best serve the interests of the organization.
He mentioned the fact thar one of the ma
tional executive members was lying in Jail
i'm Kansas and said that he hoped the res
olution committee would take this ma tier
up. He also said that he hoped every min
ing organization in the United States would
criticise the affair.
The troubles in Walker county, Carbon
Hill and Galloway mines were alluded to,
the history of the entire trouble being Civ
en-. According to the report, in October the
United Mine Workers represented so per
cent. of THE miners in that district The
president told of the meetings held in the
Carbon Hill district and the demands made
on the operators, also touching on the work
done by the knights of Labor, stating that
that organization had sent men to the
mines where the United Mine Workers are
on strike. Mr.. Young declared that the
entire executive board of the knights of
Labor, with but one exception, has been
sending men to the places where a strike
is on
THAT is an organization which We will
have to fight said Mr.. Young. II have
not said aught against this organiza ton
until now" he declared, '"but the time has
arrived for speaking. If the United Mine
Workers are to have peace, It will be nee
essary to root out the knights of Labor
and we will have to fight them with their
own weapons"
Twenty-nine local organizations we're re-
ported by the president since last year. a
good increase in membership being also
shown. The convention was addressed by
w. R. Farley, the national committeeman
who said he was opposed to fighting any
labor organization, but when the head of
the organization is "scab labor agency"
it is time to fight.
The Alabama district was in better condi-
ton, he declared than any other, with the
exception of Illinois, He told of trying to
put Pennsylvania in condition to be ready
for action in the future. Mr.. Farley allud-
ed to the Imprisonment of member of the
national executive board, Reece, by name;
and condemned the proceedings that put
Reece where he is. He told of the deterni-
nation of the national organization to Sc
cure the release of Reece. He expressed a
hope for good contract next June.
The Delegates
Those in attendance are:
w. R. Farley of Pratt City, member of
the national executive board.
President George Young, of Blocton; Sec
retaryTreasurer J. L. Clemo, of Adger;
Auditing committee, Joe Hollier of Blocton
and Richard Hooker of Pratt City; Vice
President s. p. Cheatham, colored Execu-
tive committee, William Kirkpatrick Pratt
City; Jacob Lllach, Belle Ellen; A. H. Cen
try, Blocton; Allie Mckenzie, Adger; P. S.
Murray, colored, Johns; Hannibal Hay
wood, colored, Pratt City.
Anger, votes-F. w. Lemon.
Aldrch, 1 vote-George Jones (colored),
Robert Kennemore
West Pratt, 8 votes-John Lamont. Thorn
as Dickey, ohm Black, white; s. d. Rich
ards colored.
Bocton, 10 votes-Frank Hillman, F. L.
Slack, G. b. Reynolds, r. b. Carroll, white;
Sim Banks, Charles Smith, Albert Ellis,
colored.
Belle Ellen. Z votes-Jacob Iillach,. James
Linnehan, J. X. Smith. George Kuffner,
white; Shep Holmes cSored.
Cardiff / vote-John G. Brown.
Carbon Hill, l vote-Wiliam A Clark.
Coalburg, / vote-M. L. Turner.
Dogwood vote-Jabe Thompson.
Doomite, 2 votes-W. r. Thomas.
Galloway, 1 voted. NJ. Watts.
Graves, 1 vote-F'rank Steele colored.
Helena 1 Vote-Pnk Montgomery
Henry Ellen, 1 vote-W. B. Montgomery.
Hargrove, 1 vote-J. s. O'Gwin
Johns, s votes-P. R. Murray and N. S.
Pringle, eolored
Mary Lee, 1 vote-James Hicks.
Nebo, 2 votes-J G. Fowler
Palos votes-D. C. Barnes, Van Hymes,
colored.
Pocahontas, / vote. B. Slosser.
Pratt City, 81 votes $50 members)-
Frank Fournier, R. Hooper, Ed Flynn,
George Barber, William Bynum, white; c.
w Cain, S. L. Brooks, George Smuther-
man and Sandy Williams. colored.
Sayretown, 2 votes-Thomas English,
white; Charles Fletcher, colored.
Sumter. 1 vote.
Blossburg, 8 votes-R. " Locke, ]. D.
Reeves, Frank Cougler.
Warrior, 6 voteS-W1lliam GibbS, Wnlte;
AL Parks, colored.
Executive Committeeman Kirlswood an
rounced the formation of a local at Maui
VOC, in Walker county, with twenty-five
members. The local was only a few days
odd, and T. p. Quinn was president, and
Jasper Donagloo, recording secretary.
Trouble is feared here, the men refusing
to sign the contract as, prepared by the
company Carbon Hill, Galloway, Poca-
hontas and Mcdonald mines were reported
vet on a strike. The most important BUSH
ness to be transacted at this convention
will be he election OF officers.
At 1920 o'clock adjournment was taken
for dinner w. r. Farley OF the national
executive board delivered another strong
address to the miners. urging them to
stick together, morally and otherwise. Mr..
ID. Kirkpatrick also spoke in the same
vein.
Afternoon Session
At the afternoon session the election of
officers was taken up, and the vote on the
second ballot practically decided the ques-
ton of the presidency, although another
vote will have to be taken this morning
before a president is formally declared
1ia