Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-11
FAVOR sHoT.F!RERs.
Mine Workers Draft Resolutions to
This Effect,

iHIo CIIcCI.
Des Moines, March S.-A special
committee appointed by the United
Mine Workers of America
District 13 to draft resolution favor
ing the employment of shot firers
where blasting is necessary, reported
with ringing resolution favoring the
passage of a law by the present legis-
lature which shall compel the employ
ment of shot firers in mines where
they blast for their coal. The report
was adopted by an enthusiastic and
unanimous vote and coup of the
resolution was sent forthwith to the
legislature.
The session voted to employ
stenographer for the Office which is
to be established in Abba this year,
the stenographer to receive not more
than $40 per month and should be
son or daughter of a miner. This was
one OF the few recommendations of
the committee on constitution which
reported yesterday that the conven-
ton saw fit to adopt. They also adopt
ed the recommendation of the COM
mittee which provided that all voting
of the U. M. w. of A. of District IS
which occurs other than the regular
place OF meeting shall be unconstitu-
tlonal This brought out quite an ac-
tive discussion mostly favorable to
the recommendation since the miners
| believed it would have the effect to
make the regular meetings of the To-
cal unions more largely attended.
An active discussion was precipitat-
ed by the resolution that the form of
voting be changed from a peoples vote
to vote of the delegates elected in
the case of election of officers. The
majority of the convention was
strongly opposed to doing away with
the referendum vote since they be-
lieved they could get a better repre-
sentation of the opinions of the min
ers by it. The recommendation was
lost by a strong vote.
Another recommendation of the
committee on constitution was that all
moneys earned by the officers of their
organization outside of their salaries
as officers of the U. NJ. w. A. be turn
ed into the common treasury. Presi-
dent Reese said regarding this that
last year he made little money on
the side by a Fourth of July grafton
and one or two other public addresses
he had made. That if the convention
saw fit to adopt this resolution into
the constitution they would have to
get new president. A motion to
adopt this resolution was lost.
A recommendation upon the part of
the committee that the salary of the
president and the secretary be $50 in
stead of SIS per month as at present
was voted down. A proposition as to
creating the office of treasurer brought
out a strong discussion At present
the secretary is also treasurer of the
organization. The increase, in the
secretary's work because of the rapid
growth of the union had made it ne.
cessary in the belief of the committee
that he be relieved of the duties OF
treasurer and be secretary alone
There is great desire on the part OF
the miners to have Secretary John P
White in the field to adjust the differ
ences between the miners and operat
/ ors ard any difficulties that may arise
and to further the interests of the or
ganization by mingling more or less
among the various unions. 1t was fol
this reason that he was voted to have
the assistance of stenographer anC
; it was for this that it was recommend
, ed he be relieved from his duties as
treasurer. When the convention vot
, ed to nonconcur in the recommends
ton that the vice-president be put or
. a regular salary and kept in the fielC
; it dawned upon them that they mus
, make provision for assistance to- the
overworked secretary.