Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-22
Special Committee Makes
Report to Convention This
Afternoon.
BE DIVIDED PRO RATA
Address of "Mothep Jones Enthuslas-
ticalIy AppIauded at This Mornings
Sesscn-Al Danger of Sympa-
thetc Strike Is Believed to Be Past.


Indianapolis, July 19.-At the open.
ing of the miners convention this
morning Mother" Jones was given the
floor. She made an address which was
enthusiastically applauded. She de-
clared that before coming to Indianap-
oils she had favored a general strike,
but since coming to the convention she
was of the opinion that the conclu'
sion reached by the delegates to avoid
such movement was the wisest
course. She urged the delegates to OPP
pose at the congressional elections this
fall every man who was favorable to
government by injunction" The spec
ial committee not being prepared to
make it's report, the convention, at
10:45 o'clock, took recess of thirty
minutes to await it's report on the as
sessment for support of the strike.
Committee Reports.
At lis the special committee was
prepared to report it's recommends
sjons as follows:
First, that national secretary treas
urer of the United Mine Workers be
athorized to appropriate $4,000 from
the funds of the national treasury fol
the benefit of districts l, 7 and 8
(These are the anthracite districts.)
Second, that all districts and sub
districts and local unions be asked tc
donate whatever they can afford fol
the support of the strike
Third, that an assessment of 10 pei
cent be levied on the earnings of mem
bers of the unions in districts 6, s, II
10, 10, % and 25 and that an assess
.nent Of ! per cent per week be made
o. members in districts 2, 5, IL, Ia, Is
16, 20 and II. This assessment is not
made against members of unions now
on a strike, but in such cases assess
ments are to commence when strikes
are over and the manner of this is be
ing arranged by the unions.
Fourth, that the assessments be paid
direct by the local unions to Secretary
treasurer Wilson.
Fifth, that rs per cent be deducted
from the salaries of all national and
district officers and organizers.
Sixth, that the assessments begin
from July 16.
Seventh, that all contributions made
by the national organization be dis
tributed to the anthracite districts pre-
rata as shown by coal reports.
Eighth, that each local union be re
quested to aid as far as possible in Sc
curing work for the men now on a
strike In this connection the good Of
fees of the American Federation Of
Labor are requested.
Ninth, that an address be submit
ted to the American people stating the
salient points of the dispute between
the miners and operators.
number of amendments We're offer
cid to the wording of several of the
sections but they were voted down
The report was adopted unanimously
Mitchell Makes Address.
Mitchell made short speech de
claring that there is in the treasures
of the local unions throughout the
country approximately $1,000,000 ant
that in his opinion of what the union:
could afford to contribute to the cause
of the anthracite miners was half o
this money. After the transaction o
some routine business the convention
adjourned at l o'clock by singing
America"
Give Up Strike Idea.
This morning the sentiment was as
strong as ever against strike and al
danger of such an event is now passed
The anthracite men favoring strike
admitted there was no chance of {
walllout This morning they came into
the convention determined to stand as
unit by the recommendation o.
President Mitchell.
Mitchell Urges His Plan.
President Mitchell spoke for the
adoption of the recommendations
made in his speech of yesterday. HI
elsewhere were being protected by the
general organization under the regular
assessments of the union, but that thu
assessment under discussion was ne
cessary for the support of the anthra
cite strike alone and should not be di
verted from it's purpose.
1T is possible other strikes ma:
come" he said, land then, under tn
precedent which general distribution
of the fund would create, these late
strikes would claim their share in tn,
fund and it would be SO depleted as tt
fail entirely of its purpose"
Mr.. Mitchell assured the convention
the strike in the Pittsburg district ant
all other strikes would be looked afte
without splitting up the fund and agail
urged the men to dismiss from thei
minds all thought of a general strike
His remarks were greeted with cheers