Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-21

IN the reports of the said ofilcer, we
are able to know and study the true
worth of capable person holding that
position of trust
One year ago. at the joint conVen-
ton between the Mine Workers ana
operators of this district, more close
and compact organization was obtain
ed than at any time prior to that time,
and as result more substantial pene-
fit for our craft was obtained than was
expected by some who were inclined 10
take an unfavorable view OF the
agreement made at that time. BY inns
do not want to be understood as say
ing that we obtained from our employ
ers all that we were entitled to, put,
taking the market conditions INTO con-
sideration, and the fact that the coal
consumers had not yet adjusted them
selves to the improved plan OF trans
acting business, yet Notwithstanding
we have steadily forged onward untli
now can see no reasonable grounds
why we should be denied any Oh the
concessions that we asked Tor one
year ago; and have every reason 10
| believe that events have convinced
our friends on the other side that we
are fully entitled to the most 1T not all
that we asked for at that time.
| Many questions have been referred
to the joint board consisting OF min
ers and operators) for adjustment,
among which are the following propo-
sitions referred to it by the conven-
ton of one year ago:
First-The price to be paid for the
machine mining at Laddsdale. This
question proved to be a very compli-
Gated one, and the board being una
Bile to agree on the question at issue,
a compromise was made by the
Laddsdale Coal Co., very generously
taking out the machines and working
on the pick mining basis.
The second proposition was the dis
pute with the operator from the Boone
|subdistrict. In that case it was more
of misconception as to the miners
demands than otherwise, and when
the matter was fairly and fully placed
before the parties concerned, the po-
sition OF the mine workers was at
justment made. 1t will be remem-
bered that this matter SO submitted
affected the company at Frazer, in
Boone county.
There were seven meetings held by
| the joint board during the year past,
at which many questions of great i'm
port were fully and carefully investi-
gated, mostly of a local nature, yet of
vast Importance to those interested,
and while we were not able on all oc-
casions to attain the affirmative posi-
ton of the board in our favor, yet in
the main, there can be but very little.
If any complaint made along that line,
lnr nj rrySt I, ~ IL
past, am more abidingly convinced
of the efficacy in this method of set
ting our disputes in matters of bust
considered by the joint board have
been printed and sent out to the par
ties interested and therefor do not
deem it necessary to incorporate the
same in this report, but recommend
that hereafter provisions be made for
the printing of decisions made by the
joint board and preserved for future
reference.
The district executive board held
eleven meetings during the year at
which many questions of Importance
were considered, three of which / de-
Isire to make special mention thereof
for the reason of the many comments
upon our actions
| First, the initiation fee for boys;
|seeond, the special initiation fee at
Muchakinock and SayIoryille, which
was made during the time of the
strike at both places, instituted by
the district board; third, the with
Idrawal of our Organization from the
State Federation of Labor
AS to the first proposition, many OF
the locals of the district had acquired
1.-THE habit of charging according to
the sentiment of the locality, some
|exacted IS, others $3.50 and others adj
mitted the boys free of charge; this
1.-THE board considered as source OF
trouble and breeder of dissatisfac
ton, and in the interest of harmony
deemed it advisable to require uni
formity and fix the fee of one-half oil
that for adults, and recommend thai
: this convention enacts some legisla
) ton along that line.
j Second, the complete success com
ing from the action of the board, il
Sufficient to convince every fair mind
led person of the wisdom thereof, ant
: leave that work so performed to an
: swer for itself, recognizing it's mos
powerful eloquence.
), Third, during the month of May
1900, the delegates elected by our las
convention, attending the meeting o
: the State Federation of Labor, Vict
: President Perry, attending in my steat
and owing to matters of dispute, be
tween the mine workers and the Fed
| Grafton, the board regarded the mem
: bership the rightful parties to pas
I upon the disputed points: and there
! fore submitted the question for you
: consideration and decision, the finding
3 as shown by the majority vote is tn
3 one adopted by the board all of whicl
l you are familiar with and therefor
deem it unnecessary to re-state on
3 reasons or positions taken.
: During the year two of the boar,
E members rendered their resignation
/ namely, A. D. Bourk, who remove
/; from the district, and Thomas Adam
t lson, who moved from the Boone sui
S district, and accepted a position a
mime foreman at Colfax. To the pc
/ lsitions thus made vacant / appointed
t with the approval of the board, Wi
S liam Heslop. of Lehigh, and Hug
e Reed, of What Cheer.
It According to custom, as your pres