Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-21

was moved that resolutions declarine
Off the strike be adopted. This was
| met with opposition from the engi
neers, who struck in sympathy with
the miners. They said they did not
| oppose Mitchells recommendation
but wanted very careful considera
ton. A warm debate followed the first
vote OF the objection to the Immediate
adoption of the resolution to declare
OFF the strike. A motion was carried
to. exclude from the hall all newspaper
men. Before the debate began a mo-
ton was carried to have the creden.
tials of all delegates in the hall ex.
amined. This meant considerable de-
lay.
Speculate on Duration.
Considerable speculation is being
indulged in as to the duration of the
convention. The disposition is to ex.
pedite business, so that the miners
may get back to work as soon as pos->
sible. 1t is generally believed that the
session will not last over Tuesday,
while there is a possibility that the re-
suits will be known by tonight.
One Obstacle to Agreement.
There is but one proposition to be
considered, whether or not to accept
the arbitration plan; and but one OBJ
stacle, the engineers and firemen.
The only thing to hinder an immedi--
ate vote as soon as the convention is
organized and President Mitchell has
presented his address is the use of or
atory that seems to be necessary in--
Hintinr, ~, &al
ellis utterances may be con-
vincing on the questions at issue, in
which case the convention could close
with the afternoon session.
AS members of both the steam engi--
neers and stationary firemen's union
obeyed the strike order of June 2, ap.
plicants will be made by delegates
from these organizations for admis-
sion to the convention, which probably
will be granted. Quite a number of
firemen and engineers employed
around the collieries are members di--
rectly of the Uni.ed Mine Workers OF
America.
Differences to be Arbitrated.
| Washington, Oct, 20.-The demands
of the miners that will be passed up.
| /. An eight-hour day for all em--
ployes working by the week, day or
hour.
2. An increase of 20 per cent in the
wages of all miners employed by the
ton.
g. The establishment of 2,24O
pound ton in all the mines.
4. Recognition of mine committees
in adjusting disputes or grievances.
5. More thorough organization of
all skilled mechanics employed in and
about the mines.
| 6. Condemnation of the alleged act
of the Delaware and Hudson company
! in redacing wages at the Plymouth
colliery.
7. Reinstatement of the colliery
| firemen discharged by the Delaware
and Hudson company for refusing to
work on swing" shifts.
8. Revision of the contract system
and limitation to two in the number
| of laborers to be employed by any one
contractor.
g. Adjustment of the blacklist
system.
Points Not to Be Arbitrated.
| The demands of the miners that the
operators refuse to submit to arbitra-.
ton and which will not be considered
by the commission:
| /. Recognition of the union.
q Investigation of opposition OF
union miners to work with non-union
men.
8. Systematic examination of work.
| ing cards at the mines.
! 4. Right of union miners to strike
at collieries employing non-union la.
Dor.
1t will be seen that Mr.. Mitchell has
forced consideration of nine out OF
thirteen demands submitted by him
five months ago.