The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-21
Ben TiIlett, an English Labor Leader,
Delivers an Address that Is
Given Close Attention.
REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS
PRESIDENT JOHN MITCHELL MAKES
RECOMMENDATION.
4 Demand for m Run-of-Mfne System
10 BE Made-RepOrt of Sec
retary-Treasurer.

The thirteenth annual convention OF the
United Mine Workers of America opened
in Tomlinson Hall at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning with nearly one thousand dele
gates present. The Central Labor Onion
OF Indianapolis had the hall decorated with
many large flags festooned about the rail-
ing OF the balcony and draped from the
ceiling. over the stage in large letters,
Of red. white and blue were the words:
Welcome TO Miners and Operators on
the stage sat President Mitchell, Secretary
Wilson. Mayor Bookwaiter. President
John Feltman, of Central Labor Union,
Organizer John Blue and Edwin f. Gould.
Ben Tillett, English labor leader, sat be-
side President Mitchell.
The convention was called to order by
President Mitchell and Secretary Wilson
read the convention call. in advance OF
the proceedings Delegate Russell, OF Him
ois, presented President Mitchell with a
gavel made from wood taken from the old
Lincoln homestead at Springfield, ILL.,, as a
token of appreciation of the Illinois miners
Mayor Bookwalter then welcomed the dele
gates TO the city. He said that while In
danapolis is not a miners city, it is zone
of the best organized labor towns in the
United States" He assured the delegates
that the city administration would do all
in its power to make their stay here a
pleasant one. and that any courtesies ex-
tended from the mayors seace Souly1
come from a member OF the Typograph-
ical Union"
CENTRAL LABOR'S WELCOME.
President John Feltman, OF Central La
Dor Union, welcomed the delegates on be-
half of organized labor of Indianapolis He
said the local organizations are glad TO
welcome the miners and invited them to
hold their future conventions in this city.
Edwin f. Gould welcomed the delegates
on behalf of the State Federation OF La
Dor in the absence of President Edgar A.
Perkins In response to the welcoming
addresses President Mitchell said that
miners would try to do something for or
ganized labor in Indianapolis and that the
delegates would do all in their power To
hold the confidence and respect rendered
them.
The credentials committee was not ready
TO report. and no business could be
transacted until the convention was or
ganized. Ben Tillett was called upon to
speak. He said 95 per cent OF the miners
of England are organized and paid trib-
ute to thine miners wives and their children
for encouraging the men to not return to
work when il seemed their strike would
fail. He said that when labor is ignored
the welfare of nation is threatened and
that labor is the. one great power which
holds society together. Abiding TO poll
tics, he said laboring men should not let
'isms' enter into their business dealings.
Employers never let politics enter into
their business affairs, he said. and added
that the only politics" the laboring man
should consider was his bread and butter.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
In conclusion he said:
Remember, that the soft answer turn
eth away wrath Remember that the eyes
OF America are on you. and even eyes from
England. The capitalist knows no country
the world is his. If he exploit the
Chinese he does it; if he can exploit the
savage, he does IL. He takes in the whole
world; so you and must take in the whole
world. L know il is said there should be
harmony between capital and labor.
There can't be harmony. There may
be business agreement, but not har-
mony. 1t is equally right for you TO de-
mand the highest wage for the least work
as the employer has 10 ask the least
wage for the best work"
The report of the credentials COMMITTEES
was the first thing at the opening OF the
afternoon session II showed that about
seven hundred delegates had already prop
erly presented their names and credentials
and were entitled 10 seats in the conven-
tion. There are two or three hundred other
delegates in the city that have not yet been
officially considered, but the credentials
committee will at take up their Gre
dentials and pass upon them.