The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-19

tials committee. This report, ii is said.
contains but few contests, but will be long
and tedious, as the names of all properly
accredited and seated delegates will have
to be read for the benefit of the delegates
and secretaries. This report will probably
take up the greater part of the morning
session, and will close it, The afternoon
session, beginning at o'clock, will be
enlivened by the appointing of committees
on resolutions and other details necessary
for the expeditions work of the convention,
and probably in hearing from the local
Central Labor Union committee on arrange
ments. President Mitchells appointment
of members of the committees on reSolu-
tions and special committees will be the
most important work of the day until he
is ready to submit his annual report and
address.
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
The annual report of Mr.. Mitchell will be
especially interesting to the miners, as 1t
is expected to deal with the new conditions
of the miners since the end of the great
strike. Mr. Mitchelrs views on the result
of the arbitration commissions investiga-
ton are unknown, and he stated to a repre-
sentative of the Journal yesterday that he
could not possibly try to anticipate it. Mr..
Mitchell also said that the investigation
would probably end within four weeks, and
I,
the Presidents examination shortly after
ward. One result of the investigation, Mr..
Mitchell said. was that ii had removed
much OF the prejudice against the organ
lied miners and had taught the people of
the country that, although the great strike
was an Inconvenience, it was justified He
said the testimony introduced TO the arbi-
traitors had awakened much sympathy for
the miners that would not be readily for
gotten.
Mr. Mitchelrs report will also contain
ill, 20 htC -nrIy 1,trf h.
strike. His explanation of his policy and
his recommendations for future actions by
the organized miners will be interesting.
If the report of Mr.. Mitchell is made dur
ing the day il will probably close the ses-
sion. Mr.. Wilson, the secretary-treasurer
of the union, will follow Mitchell with a
figures and statistics of the great relief
fund. which furnished the sinews of war
to the miners for their prolonged struggle.
The convention will ratify the election
of the national officers by the referendum
vote recently taken. This election will be
announced by the auditing committee and
It will re-elect President Mitchell. Secretary
Wilson and probably T. l.. Lewis as vice
president. For memberships in the Gre
dentials and auditing committee there has
been some contest and the result OF this
vote cannot be anticipated by any of the
miners.
SCALE OF WAGES.
The real work of the convention is to ar
mended TO the conference of operators of
the bituminous competitive field and miners,
which will be begun on Jan. 80 in this city.
The competitive district is composed of
Indiana. Illinois. Pennsylvania and Ohio.
and the agreements made in it are always
sort of basis for individual conferences In
other fields The miners have always fol-
lowed the rule of basing their demands for
an increase in wages on the earnings of the
operators. The statisticians of the organ
izotions endeavor To ascertain accurate
IL a possible what has been the actual
This year the discussion seems to be be-
tween the men as To the amount TO be
asked. Illinois and other delegations are
demanding a 10 per cent Increase. while
other fields favor increases ranging be-
! tween 10 and % per cent. Fifteen per cent.
| is the mean average. and Will probably be
| the demand made when the operators join
| In a conference between the committee
| consisting of sixteen delegates and sixteen
| GERS of the union are ex ofiieio members
| of the committee. but have vote on the
| inaI wage scale adopted.
| Ii is not known what other important
business may come up. Individual and
local grievances will be adjusted and will
occupy much time. The settlement OF the
| per capita tax and the reports of delin-
quent unions and all such details of trades
| union conventions Will be gone over, as
| we'll as the complaints from various dis
| tricts- The anthracite men will, ii is ex-
] vention calling on the people OF the United