The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-24
No Foundation for the Charges
Against Mitchell and Wilson Pre-
ferred by Miss Meredith.
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS
1T MAKES A PARTIAL REPORT TO
MINERS CONVENTION.
Ben TiIIett, English Labor Leader.
Says Goodbye to DeIeSates-EIec-
ton of officers To-Day.

President John Mitchell and Secretary
treasurer w. B. Wilson, of the United Mine
Workers of America. were completely ex-
onerated yesterday morning by the COM
mittee appointed to investigate the charges
made against them by Miss Mollie Mere
dith former employe in the secretarys
office. The entire committee was on the
stage when the report was made. Presi-
dent Mitchell, who was presiding, said that
the committee was ready to report and
called upon W. ID. Van Horn to take the
chair while the report was being read. Mr..
Van Horn then called upon j. c. Heenan,
chairman of the committee. who said w.
D. Ryan, the secretary, would read the re-
port.
The convention hall was quiet and there
was an air of expectancy on the part of
the delegates as Ryan advanced toward
the front of the stage. He gave prelimi-
nary statement of the case. explaining some
of the errors charged against President
Mitchell and Secretary Wilson, and then
read the following report:
THE REPORT.
ITO the Officers and Members of the Thir-
teenth Annual Convention of the United
Mine Workers of America:
'Gentlemen-We, your committee. ap-
pointed to investigate the charges and
counter-charges that have been passed be-
tween Miss Mollie Meredith and officers of
our organization. beg leave to make the
following report:
1--WE find there was no foundation in
fact for the charges preferred by Miss
Meredith and beg leave to submit the fol-
lowing resolution:
Whereas One Miss Mollie Meredith has
issued circular letters containing state
ments and making allegations derogatory
to the personal and official honor of the
president, the secretary and other officers
of the United Mine Workers of America,
and,
Whereas, We believe that such state
ment coming from any source whatever is
liable to irreparably damage our organiza-
tion and should be and is hereby con-
demned; if any person or persons feel or
know that officers members of the
United Mine Workers of America are dere-
lict in their duty, charges should and must
be preferred in the proper manner and
have lne guilty parties properly punished,
and,
and calculated to injure the president, the
secretary and other officers of the United
Mine Workers of America, and,
Whereas. We believe and know that the
national officers of our organization did
all that honorable men should do to protect
our organization and its funds at the time
Mr. Pearce was removed from office, and,
Whereas, We have every confidence in
the honor integrity and faithfulness of
our officers; therefore, be Ii
Resolved. That this convention, by rising
vote indorse in every particular the action
of its officers in the Pearce matter"
The resolution was signed by James G.
Heenan, president w ID. Ryan secretary:
w Hos ms ard
bert j. d. Wood, William Dodds, Law
renee Love and 7. d. Nichols.
Before Mr.. Ryan read the report he ex-
planned several of the accusations against
President Mitchell and Secretary Wilson.
He said that the books OF the office show
that during the year 1899. $3.50 was expended
for postage. Regarding the postage matter
Miss Merediths charges were that Pearce
got a rake off, OF s., 900. 1T must be quite
apparent" said Mr.. Ryan, that in this
period there could not be a rake off of
s., 900"
Regarding the deficit of $50. 600 referred 10
IN Miss Meredith's statement. Mr.. Ryan