The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-10
MINERS HEARD
MANY REPORTS


able consideration, we arc,
Respectfully. 4. u. Nichols, John 7. Dcmp.
scy, n, W. COPYRIGHT, Thomas Llcwellyn, Henry
Collins, T.. q. Gallagher John fahy. Thomas
j. Richards Y. r. Williams. Anthracite commit
tee United Mine Workers of America
HAD 40 EFFECT.
This letter did not seem 10 have any effect
whatever on the senators. as not one OF tholn
could be found who would make motion 10
discharge the committee from further considera'
tion Of the bills.
The bills which were passed are az follows;
House bill No. PA. providing for the election ot
the Inspector; bill No. 2ll. taxing company
stores ont of existence; bill No. 2l2, providing
for medical chest Of supplies at tho foot ot cach
collcry, and bill No. Is. providing Tor lhe
stamping of each kcg of powder with the name
~ the Arm and the number Of pounds contained
The fathers oi these bills are a. follows NO.
2ll. Representative FcucbcC; No. 2l2, Rcpicson'
tative, lldag; No. 2li, Representative Garner;
No. IS, Representative Garner Tho bills which
failed TO pass are Nos. 2lj, 2l6 and 2li. They
we're introduced by Representative Drum, Mahon
and Leib, respectively
Those bills were more strongly opposed than
the others aud 10 is through no fault OF those
presenting them that they failed, because they
passed the house with good vote. Tho senate
was the stumbling block for all Of The bills and
even some Of those which passed were so amend
cd by the senators that their authors hardly
knew them when the senate got done with
them. Our opinion of the party in power at the
legislature is that they were hrclngs aud mouth.
pieces for tho corporations. our opinion Of the
individual senators who were controlled by them
IS that they are not Gt to near the name of citi.
zens ~ this commonwealth, let alone 10 he Sc
lccted as representatives, TO enact laws for honest
people
We believe Il is cause for dccp concern 10
the average. citizen of this state that its ahairs
arc in the hands OF dishonest politicians and tools
~ the money power. The bills that they defeat
cd arc simply measures for equitable system OF
measuring the coal mined and simply call for
honesty which, however, Is diStd,tcfuI 10
rogues. We dcnourCc the party who was in
power hccauSc they defeated our measures, but
who, when certain other measures which were
not at all beneficial to tho aboring people Of tho
state were presented, passed them with rapid
transit movement, and fairly r1ilroaded them
through the senate and the house. Your com.
mitce will later compile a list showing the vote
on all of ou bills. and, according TO the dcci.
sion of the last convention. nave them printed
and circulated in tho locals Of organized labor
throughout the state. We mNualifcdy con
denim the senate because not ono member would
say a word against the attitude ~ the committee
who held our bills In regard to the house, we
must say that We had friends, indeed, and for
that reason we wish TO have the voted published
on all Of our measures
Henry Collins, John +. kcarncv, r. J LEV.
ellyn, r. " Courtright, T. u. Nichols, J. T.
Dempsey
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
President n. u. Nichols in his re-
port stated that the results of the
visits of committees of their own men
to the district operators or superin-
tendents of the coal carrying COM
panics had been highly unsatisfactory
He declared that at the last Conven-
tion it was decided to have commit
tees from their own collicrics wait
upon them in accordance with the cX-
pressed wishes of the operators, but
that when the men met them they
were confronted with attempts ia
evade the main issue.
Invariably" said President Mich
oils, they met with the statement
that a raise of wages was impossible
in view of the wages paid by other
companies. They refused. however, tC
hold any meeting with the heads OF
other concerns to unite on a uniform
scale or to meet the men AS a whole,
The district head also reported OF
the general condition of the district
Since the last annual convention there
has been the wonderful increase il
membership of from 10000 paid mem.
bers to 443l3, and i'm locals from sixty
odd lodges to one hundred and seventy,
two. a year ago tho district was
unable to put in the field more thar
two organizers and they had to bC
supported by the national association
During the last few months it has
been found necessary to raise the mum.
ber OF field workers and at present
has the president. secretary and foul
board members all doing active work
and being paid out of the dstric
treasury.
For over a month S400 a week has
been sent TO the strikers at Bernicc
and it is likely that this generous sun
will be increased. He referred to thu
success of the working card, as OK
emplifed by the fact that almost
every man and boy employed in the
district collieries is member of thu
union in good standing.
FINANCES OF DISTRICT.
Secretary-Treasurer John T. Demp
sey's report was also read. 1t gave
general synopsis of the finances o
the district treasury, and was alOns
the same lines as the district presi
dents statement The report of tn,
executive committee showed the worl
done in the field since the April con
vention at Olyphant and laid stress
upon the splendid condition of the dis
triCt.
The convention adjourned for tn,
day about 4.3O o'clock, and today viii
take up large amount of new bust
ness. Tomorrow the committees will
report and the convention is likely t.
be concluded. although the business
before the delegates may keep then
here till Saturday. All of the report
of yesterday were handed over to tn
committee on officers reports yestcr
day.
Neither President John Mitchell no
Secretary Wilson, of the Mine Work
ers. arrived i'm the city to attend tn
sessions Of the convention and are n,
longer awaited by the district officers
Both of yesterdays sessions were o
the liveliest sort of a nature and yes
tcrday afternoon there were numerou
speeches by delegates which provoke,
enthusiasm.