The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-12
MINERS TAKE UP
SCALE QUESTION
Must Fix Rate for Operators Of
Coal Cutting Machines
MANY RESOLUTIONS READ
Policy of John Mitchell and President
Roosevelt Endorsed and Mayor Rus
sell of Wylam Named for Posi-
ton of State Mining Inspector.

ton of State Mining Inspector.
Bessemer, December 11.-(Special)-
The question of fixing a scale for oper-
ators of coal-cutting machines was
brought up before the convention Of
United Mine Workers this morning, and
after some discussion referred to COM
mittee. which Will report tomorrow morn
ing.
There seems to be an undereurrent Of
objection to the installation of these ma
chimes, as some of the miners seem to
think it is an entering wedge for the
employment of some non-union men in.
the mines. It is expected however, that
a satisfactory arrangement will be made
and scale fixed that will please both
operators and miners.
Probably the most important feature of
todays meeting was the report of the
resolutions committee They indorse the
policy of John Mitchell in the anthra-
cite strike thanked Rufus n. Rhodes
for his efforts in settling the local coal
strike recently and indorsed John M.
Russell, mayor Of Wylam, for the posi-
After President Flynn had called the
convention to order, the question of ma
chine mining which first came up yes
terday afternoon, was again taken up
for consideration. Mr.. Flynn empha-
sized the Importance of the matter.
Mr.. kirkpatrick of Pratt City, after
stating the issues involved, moved that
the president be authorized to appoint
committee to draw up scale to gov
ern machine mining in district No. 20.
The motion prevailed and the chair SUBJ
sequently announced the following com
mittee: George Barbour, Pratt City; A.
L. Sheriff., Lewisburg ]. c. Nolan wy
lam; c. w White, Pinckney. Tom Hall,
Altoona. Advisors: William r. Farley,
member of the national executive board;
Joe HALTER, national organizer Of dis
trict No. 20.
Resolutions.
The report OF the committee on reso-
lutiohs was then submitted by Adam
Stewart of Cardiff. The first resolution
was with regard toethe maehinists strike
in Birmingham, and was adopted unani-
mously. 1t reads as follows:
I'VE, your committee on resolutions.
beg leave to report as follows:
"First-That whereas the machinists of
Birmingham have been out on strike for
a nine-hour work-day and other improve
ments since the first day of July, 1902
and, whereas binding injunetions have
been placed on them, which restraints
them from exercising their due prerogs-
tives. and has a deterorating effect upon
their chances OF success; therefore, be it
"Resolved That we unanimously con-
| denim the injunction proceedings and
urge the removal of the same. And be it
further
Resolved That donation of $50 be
made to assist them in their laudable at
tempt to improve and better their eondi-
lions. And be it further
Resolved, That the executive board
have discretionary power to make fur
Their donations to the machinists at any
time said executive board deems fit
and proper"
A resolution was read and unanimously
adopted creating a committee on legisla-
ton.
Thank Mr.. Rhodes.
The following resolution was also re-
ported and unanimously adopted:
whereas It has come to our knowl-
edge that Rufus N. Rhodes, editor of
the Birmingham News, has shown an evil
dent friendly disposition to the United
Mine Workers of America, more particu-
larlv district 20 of said organization; and,
whereas, We learn with pleasure that
through the friendship and kindly feel
ing entertained for us by Editor Rhodes
he was instrumental in bringing about an
adjustment of the strike with the Ten
nessee Coal Iron and Railroad company;
therefore, be 1t
"Resolved That we, the miners in con-
vention assembled tender to Rufus N
Rhodes, of the Birmingham News, our
sincere thanks for his kind successful
and generous effort in effeeting an amic-
able adjustment Of the controversy
The following resolution, raising the
boycott against certain breweries, was
then adopted:
''That whereas the boycott has been
declared off on the breweries of Cincin-
natl Newport and Covington; therefore,
be 1t
''Resolved, That the miners are assured
that they can dring Moerlein beer with
the union label on the foam as the boy
colt has been declared off,"
Russell Endorsed.
A resolution endorsing John NJ. Rus
sell mayor Of Wylam for the position of
chief state mine inspector was unanl-
mously adopted after a general discus
sion in which the purpose of the resolu-
tion was heartily indorsed:
James Iiduell,. OIL WylaH, salu. We
will put this under Governor jerks nose
and see what he will do with it,
President Flynn said that he had had
conversation with Governor jerks In
which the governor had suggested that
the miners of Alabama get together as
to this office and join in recommending
some Individual.
President Flynn instructed the resolu-
lions committee 10 draw up resolution
! to be adopted by the convention urging
the governor to appoint Mr.. Russell.
Mitchel's Course Endorsed.
The following resolution with regard to
the anthracite strike was reported and
unanimously adopted:
whereas, 1t has come to our knowl-
edge that the miners of the anthracite
coal fields who have been out on strike
since May 70, 1902, have succeeded, through
the admirable skill, leadership and d.
plomacv of John MITCHELL president of
the Unitcd Mine Workers of America, i'll
forcing the operators to arbitration; and,
whereas, We realize the tremendous
power of public opinion in questions per-
tanning to labor controversies as exempli-
! fled on the aforesaid strike by the Ameri-
ran pttple In accounting President