The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-20
Mayor BOOkwalter and John l.. Felt
man Welcomed the Delegates
to Indianapolis.
GAvEL FROM WOOD WORKERS
RESOLUTION ADOPTED PROVIDING
FOR SEATING DELEGATES.
President Mitchell Announces the
Committees That Will Have Charge
of Convention Work.

At 10 o'clock yesterday morning Presi-
annual convention of the United Mine
Workers of America in Tomlinson
Hall. When the president reached the hall
and advanced to the center of the stage
he was heartily applauded. When the ap-
plause had subsided, he called the dele
gates to order. and fully eight hundred of
them settled back in their seats to begin
the first session of convention that will
deliberate for two weeks.
The miners present, delegates from one
of the strongest labor organizations in the
country. were a representative body.
There was an absence of formality in dress
or speech. Many of the delegates smoked
pipes.
The hall was elaborately decorated.
Chairman Feltman. of the Central Labor
Union committee on decorations, had ar
ranged a scheme of decorations that gave
to Tomlinson Hall an artistic appearance
Streamers of national colors were festooned
from the ceiling and joined in the center of
the hall by a rosette of many colors. The
balcony ratings were covered with white
and embellished with creeping vines and
evergreen. Pictures of John Mitchell 1.-The
breaker Boys were III evidence
along the railing The stage. which had
been prepared for the Mitchell reception
held last night. was decorated with colored
streamers and a large emblem of "Wel-
come high on the stage was decorated
with pictures of Mitchell and surrounded
by flags. bunting and evergreen.
WELCOMED BY THE CITY.
The convention settled itself Immediately
speeches of welcome. Chairman Feltman.
of the arrangements committee, on behalf
of George Custer. president of Central La
Dor Union. welcomed the convention to
the city and congratulated the miners on
their organization. He expressed the senti-
ment of indianapolis labor unions by say
ing that to welcome a miners convention
to the city was pleasure which they had
grown to appreciate more each year
Mayor Charles A. Bookwalter welcomed
the miners to the city in speech neces-
sarily made short because of his enforced
early departure for his home, where one
of his children lies seriously ILL., Mayor
Bookwalter expressed the city's gratifica-
tion at being honored by the miners and
said that the guests could assure them
selves that the city was theirs until they
left.
The Amagamated Wood Workers of
America participated in the convention by
| rendering to Mr.. Mitchell for his use as
chairman of the convention a beautiful
gave turned from wood and studded with
the emblems Of trades unions and decor
ated with ivory facings. The gave was
presented 10 Mr.. Mitchell by T. l.. Lewis.
OF Bridgeport. o.. vice president of the
Mine Workers. Mr. Lewis said many COM
plimentary things of the Wood Workers
because of their thoughtfulness. His pre-
sentation speech was responded TO by Mr.
Mitchell, who thanked him and the Wood
Workers for the gift.
Little business of Importance was trans
acted at the morning session. When Sec
| retary w. b. Wilson came forward to read
| the call for the convention he was warmly
greeted and was forced to respond to IL in
| a few words of thanks. He then read the
call of the convention and President Mitch
ell announced the selection OF William
Fitzsimmons. OF Pennsylvania. and Thomas