Bisbee daily review., 1902-09-11
THE INTERNATiOAL FEDERATION
 OF MINERS.

meeting at Dusseldorf, Germany. Tn May last Its proceedings this year present some points Of interest Whlch are brought out in full report recently published There were five nations represented by delegates from the ha- tIonal unions-France, Belgium, Ger many. Austria and Great Britian-and in addition there was a delegation from the miners of Durham, who are not affiliated with the general British union. In all there were ll5 delegates present. representing 1,453,OOo miners The number was somewhat unequaliy divided, Germany sending 59 delegates and France only 2; but this made little difference. as the votes in congress were cast in proportion to the numoei of miners represented by each dele gation. s
 The discussion of the congress dlf- fers somewhat from the direction which those of a similar body in this country would take, in that they have dls- tinct political bearing. The federation in fact is a powerful element in the support of the Socialist party Tn Flu, rope, and its proposals are for the most part directly in line with the prlnci- ples of that party.
 The chief points which came up TOT discussion this year were not new having been before previous meetings They included the general adoption or an eight-hour day, the establishment by law of a minimum wage rate. oi pensions for old age or disability, anu of indemnity for accidents. The ne" subjects brought up this year were the standardization of mines, lnernauondl co-operation in strikes, and the cult- yation of an understanding with the coal miners of the United States.
 With regard to the eight-hour day, some progress was reported Dy the French delegates in the passage by the Chamber or Deputies of that nation of a law limiting the working day to nine hours for two years to come, the time to be reduced to eight hours after 1905. Little progress was reported by other delegates. The congress on this point voted to continue the agitation, the only dissidents being the Durham delegates. who took the British rather than the Continental view; while be lieving in the eight-hour day, they doubted the wisdom of legislation on the subject which ought to be settled by the miners and opel ators alone.
 The same resuit-a decision to con tinue the agitation-was reached with regard to the establishment oI mini mum rate of wages by law. number of the British delegates doubted the possibility or expendiency of this. pointing out the difficulty attending the determination of such rate and the possibility that the law might work to the disadvantage of the min CTS themselves in certain cases. The Continental delegates, however, were unanimously in favor of this measure Their votes also carried the resolutions in favor of old age pensions and lndem- mites for accidental injuries, both of which are directly in the line Of the Socialist programme.
 These matters having been settled a long and interesting debate arose on the question of the standardization of mines-that is. direct ownership and operation of mines by the state Some objections were made by the British delegates, who pointed out the superior results obtained by private enterprise The main opposition to this proposition came, however, rom the German delegates, and was no' based upon disbelief in the pr1nclpie involved, but upon the more pracuca consideration of the autocratic nature of their government. Under the pres ent rule. the men employed by the state would be subjected to intolerable strict discipline, and would be al disadvantage in any disagreement a' to wages or conditions. A compromise was finally reached by demanding as first step that the state should taKf possession of and operate all aband oped mines and all mining concessions which have not been utilized by th' present owners.
 The most important action taken perhaps. was toward the close, whei it was resolved to establish the omc' of permanent international seer etary The chief object of this office is u keen in constant touch with the natlon al unions and, in case Of strike II any nation. to devise methods by whlcl the others could aid it. as by withhold ing exports. or similar methods. Tn office is also to consider possible meas ures to regulate the international coa trade. and by limiting exports and Il other ways to prevent undue compe'l tion and lowering of prices and, con sequently, of wages
 The British delegates, who appea to have had the most practical trad sense. pointed out many difficulties al tending this plan. and it was decide' to appoint a committed to present
 plan for the complete organization the new office Meantime, however the international secretary was ar pointed. and his office established 10 the coming year at Brussels. in Be gium.
 In connection with the debate owe this plan, some delegates pointed ou the difficulties which might arise I the future from the competition American coal, and the fact that | .A arslx :.a IN1trn n