The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-19
Discussion Follows.


 Discussion Follows.
 Relative to assistance to be given locals thirty days after strike or lock- out had started, there was discussion. Delegate Kirkpatrick called attention to the semi-monthly pay day, saying that it would give the miners funds to tide them over until the thirty days will have elapsed.
 As to how the defense fund is to be distributed, was referred back to the constitution committee, who reported later.
 An amendment making the assessment 30 cents, instead of 50 cents as provided in the report of the committee was of- fered. MT. Fairley took the floor, say ing to the delegates their organization could not live without sufficient funds. He thought the delegates should be gov erned by the conditions. MT. Fairley said the Alabama organization is run economically, and has not been a very heavy burden on the national organiza- tion. MT. F'airley expressed himself as being in favor of the assessment.
 Delegate Savage favored the 50 cent assessment also, saying the fact is evil dent that an assessment is necessary. Delegate Morgan advocated a defense fund of at least 50 cents per month. He expressed the opinion that the organza- tion should be in a position to protect itself in time of need.
 George Barbour, who is member of the district executive committed was of the opinion the motion to make the as- sessment simply relieved the board from making the assessment. He thought the convention should bear some of the bur- dens of the executive board.
 Thirty Gents Assessment.
 A motion of Delegate Statham to in- crease the assessment to s1 was laid on the table, and the previous question was called for. The roll was called and by vote of 121 to 95 the motion to make the assessment 30 cents was adopted py the convention. It will be recalled tat the miners decided during the first part of the week to take off this assessment, which was this year 50 cents. It was then decided to re-assess the members of the organization.
 The report of the committee on amend ments to the constitution was then call ed for by the president. The motion to increase the salary of the president from $S5 to slO0 per month was adopted by a vote of 1l5 to 9S. The number of votes necessary to carry the motion was 1O7. The committee recommended the salary of the vice president be increased from s65 to sSo per month, which was con cured in.
 Upon his own recommendation Secre- tary-Treasurer J. L. Clemo will hereaf- ter be required to make a slo.ooo bond. He will have s5oO0 on deposit at all times subject to his order.
 His salary was increased from sso to se5 per month. While actively at work for cutive board will receive A per day in- stead of ss Railroad fare and other ac.. tual expenses will be paid where they are on duty.
 Relating to Strikes.
 Sections I and 2 of Article with ref erenee to strikes remains unchanged.
 It follows:
 Section l. When trouble of a local char acter arises between members of any local assembly or local union and their em- ployers. the officers of said locals shall endeavor to effect an amicable adjust ment and failing in this they shall i'm mediately notify the officers of the dis trict to which the affected locals are att tached; and said district officers shall immediately investigate the cause of con- plaint, andSfaling to effect peaceful set tlement upon basis that would be eauit- able and just to aggrieved members, find ing that a strike would best subserve the interests of the loca lifv affected. fifeY