Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-02-01
MINERS ADJOURN.
The National Convention at Indianapolis
Makes Many Changes in Laws.

The National Convention at indianapolis
Makes Many Changes in Laws.
The twelfth annual convention of the
United Mine Workers of America ended
at indianapolis on Wednesday evening
The absorption of the various auxiliary
trades and the Capitalization of power
In the hands of the national officers ac-
compished by this convention makes
the union stronger than ever.
Important action was taken providing
that when any member is suspended or
discharged by an operator it shall be
the duty of the mine committee to i'm
mediately investigate the case, and, if
the discharged employe is found blame
less, 1t shall be Immediately reported to
the snb-district and district presidents.
Ii they find the report as stated they
shall Immediately order the reinstate-
ment of the discharged employe. This
places In the hands of these officers the
power to order suspension Of work at
any time their judgment may dictate.
u utAb ibtdl ubUly uuts
shall not be less than 25 cents Nom
ber, together with all assessments levied
by tho national organization. Should a
member allow himself to become three
months in arrears he shall no longer be
considered member and shall not be
reinstated until he shall pay sum
equal to three months dues and one
half the established initiation fee
The convention refused to go into the
election of the two additional members
of the executive board from the anthra-
cite district. 1t is expected that Presi-
dent Mitchell, who has been empowered
to fill all vacancies, will name the two
anthracite members OF the board
In the future the pass word shall be
sent out quarterly instead of semi
annually, as is now the case. This was
ordered because many ex-members who
have the pass word are able to gain ad-
mission into locals outside the districts
where they formerly belonged.
Az ibhatllE MAIIEkS.
The convention refused to indorse any
radical scale demands for the anthra-
cite region, believing the wiser policy
will be to bend every energy toward a
peaceful settlement on April /, in order
to give the anthracite miners an oppor-
tunity to recover the earnings they lost
during the late strike.
As the anthracite situation now stands
the national officials, by and with the
consent of the national executive board,
are empowered to endeavor to arrange
a joint conference in Hazleton on March
IL, with the anthracite operators. In
the event the operators refuse to meet
then outline policy.
II they are unable to reach a satisfac-
tory basis, and strike seems inevitable,
then the district presidents at the head
of the twenty sub-bodes composing the
United Mine Workers will be called into
conference, and upon their vote will de-
pend the policy of peace or war in the
anthracite region. The policy of the
bituminous leaders is plainly for con-
servative policy in the anthracite and
all other regions.
Three days prior to the date SET for
the proposed joint conference at Halle
ton, the anthracite miners will hold
convention at that place.
MTCuELL's POLICY.
In reply to a letter to President John
Mitchell, concerning threatened trouble
in the anthracite field next spring, Rev.
E. S. Phillips, of Hazeton, received the
following letter:
Il fully realize the necessity OF our
organization using its great strength on
conservative, reasonable lines, and so
far as | am able to influence it's actions
conciliatory, conservative policy will
be pursued. / look forward with hope
that the anthracite operators and miners
will accept more humane and progress
sive methods of adjusting their differ
ences than we were compelled to pursue
last fall, and | am sure that the miners
organization will not invite another in
dustrial contest If it can be honorablv
avoided"