The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-30
President Mitchell Took the Floor
After the Debate Had Grown
Somewhat Acrimonious.
EXECUTIVE BOARD CHANGES
CONSTITUTION CHANGED TO PRO-
VIDE FOR LARGER BODY.
An AlI-Night Smoker and Banquet
and Vaudeville Performance
at the Hall.

The 1iveiest session the United Mine
Workers have had since the convention
began was yesterday afternoon. when the
matter Of increasing the officers salaries
became a subject for a general and heated
discussion. The committee on constitu-
ton recommended that the constitution
be changed so that the salary of the presi-
dent be increased from $500 a year to ST.
600. the secretary-treasurer from $1,000 TO
s1.625. vice president from $1,000 TO 81. 500,
and the executive board members from Sc
to $3.50 a day. Several amendments were
proposed. one placing the salary Of the
president where 1t now stands, and another
making it $500. A substitute was finally
adopted for the proposed amendments leav-
ing the salaries of all the officers at the
present figures.
Delegate Haskins, of Ohio, led the dele
gates opposed to increasing the salaries
Of the officers. He said the proportion
ate increase in the wages of the miners
did not correspond to the proposed in
crease in the salaries of the officers and
that the offices should not be held for
pecuniary gain only. The discussion be-
came general. at times several delegates
trying to speak at the same time.
PRESIDENTS STATEMENT.
1t reached that point where President
Mitchell left the chair to w. D. Ryan
and took part in the discussion himself
He said 1t would appear from what had
been said that he had proposed the in
creases In salaries. This he positively de-
MED, saying the proposed change in the
constitution was introduced by delegates
who did not even consult him. and added
further. that when feel that I am not
receiving enough pay for my position I
Will strike for more money. am in your
employ and would soon strike against
you as l would coal operator 1 want
this convention to distinctly understand
that while 1 am heart and soul in the labor
movement do not pose as a labor martyr.
l am your president because you pay me
for 1t and II there was no compensation for
the office would not I'LL it,"
President Mitchell then went on to say
that since the discussion had assumed such
proportions, and a dissatisfaction was ap-
parent. he deemed 1t best for the organiza-
ton to adopt the proposed substitute, al
lowing salaries TO remain as they are. He
was frequently applauded while he spoke.
After few other delegates had spoken
for and against the proposed increase in
salaries Vice-president Lewis took the floor.
He said the fight against increasing the
ton in Ohio. and particularly in the Pitts
burg district Of Pennsylvania, where an ele-
ment Is and has been continually trying
TO embarrass the organization and present
administration at every oportunity. He
said no chance had been let slip to thrust
at the union, and this fight against in
creasing the salaries was an opportunity
they had improved. Lewis said the oppos-
ing element was composed of foreigners,
many of whom cannot speak the English
language. In view Of the present prosper
ity Of the organization and the otherwise
peaceable conditions, he said he thought
best not to strengthen the hands of this
opposing element by raising the salaries,
while an increase would be but justice to
the president.
The convention became noisy, and the
question was finally put by President
Mitchell bringing the gavel sharply down
upon the table and calling for the vote.
The vote was close, but the recommended
ton of President Mitchell ano Vice-pres-
ident Lewis was adopted.
OTHER AMENDMENTS.
Several other important amendments were
made to the constitution. ons of which
radically changes the administration of
the entire organization. 1t was the adop-
ton Of an amendment providing for an
increase in the executive board membership
from eight to twenty, each member to be
elected by his particular district. This
makes the total member lip of the ex-
ecutive board twenty-three, as the presi-
dent. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and vice presi-
dent also sit as members. According to
the new constitution the control of tho
organization is entirely placed in the hands
of the board. The enlargement OF the
board will also mean that fewer organ
izers will be employed. The amendment
will not be effective until next year. The
matter of increasing the membership OF
the board to ten members, the two new
members to be chosen from the anthracite
district, has not yet been decided. AS the
constitution is now amended the provi-
sion. should 1t pass the convention VIII
be for the ensuing year only.
Another important matter was an amend
ment relating TO strikes. This amendment
proyides that strikes cannot be declared
without consulting and getting the con-
sent Of the district officers where the
trouble Is located.
The acceptance of the officers reports
recommendation of President Mitchell that
a two-year contract system with the oper-
ators be established was disposed Of agree
ing that a demand for such contracts be
embodied in the call for the next conven-
ton The delegates generally favor such
a system and 1t may be asked for at tie
Joint convention with the operators in CO.
iumbus this week The bes, argument
made In behalf of the two-yesr contracts
was by Delegate Campbell, colored dele
gate from Kentucky.
IN was ordered that the Mine Workers
Journal be printed exclusively in English
instead of a part of IL in Sclavonic, as is
now the custom, and that the credentials
and auditing committees be consolidated.
The report of the committee and the adop-
ton of the new constitution and amend
ments will be continued to-day