Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-01-19
MINE WORKERS MEETING.

i o
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Jan. l6.-Del-
esates are arriving for the thirty-first
annual convention of the United Mine
workers of America, which will begin
Monday in Tomlinson hall 1t is ex.
pected that LOO delegates Will at
tend, and there is some apprehension
that the body will prove unwieldy, as
this is the largest labor convention
ever held
The convention will be not only the
largest but the most important in the
history of the organization. The great
strike in the Pennsylvania anthracite
region and the many smaller strikes
OF last year will be reported by the
officers and an explanation made of
their prosecution. The report of Presi-
dent Mitchell will deal with the an.
thracite strike and will be long. The
report OF Secretary and Treasurer
wilson Will include the reports of the
auditing and executive committees on
their work during the year. The lat
ter reports, covering the disburse-
ments for relief during the anthracite
strike Will contain the largest figures
ever known in a labor organization
financial reports.
II is understood that the miners will
ask for an increase of from 10 to 20
per cent in wages. but this will be
stubbornly resisted by the operators
at the Joint wage conference which is
to follow the miners convention. Con
siderable interest attaches to the part
the anthracite men will take in the
conference. The foundation for their
strike was laid here last January. but
as the decision of the arbitration com
mission may cover a period of three
years. they may not be vitality con
cerned in the proceedings.
President Mitchell will preside
over the proceedings and it is expect
ed number of prominent leaders in
other fields will occupy places on the
platform as interested auditors. The
first order of business to come before
the opening session Monday morning
Will be the report of the credentials
committee. This will require consid-
cradle time, though it is understood
there are no contests to speak of for
the seating of delegates. The COM
mittee on rules and order of business
will then be announced by President
Mitchell. Immediately following he
will read his annual report. In their
order will follow the annual report of
Vice President Lewis and Secretary
and Treasurer Wilson. The reading
of these reports is expected to occupy
the whole of the first day OF the con
Vention and the election of officers
probably will not be reached before
Tuesday. President Mitchell and
Secretary Wilson stand for reelection
without opposition and iL is also prob
able that Vice President Lewis will
be renamed by acclamation. though
some talk is heard of opposition can
didates for his office. Members of the
executive committee will also be elect
ed and delegates chosen to repres sent
the organization at the next annual
convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor.
Among the delegates already on the
field there is much talk in favor of
the proposal that has been made to in
crease the salaries paid to President |
Mitchell and Secretary Wilson. The |
suiuTy Ol ITtSlutlt Mltcnell Is Sl,SUU |
IA year Secretary Wilson receives |
1900 During the anthracite strike !
the two officers contributed 25 per |
cent of their earnings to the defense |
fund, besides paying their regular as
sessments. 1t is suggested that Pres |
ident Miichell's salary should be in |
creaed to at least So 900 and that of |
Secretary Wilson raised in proper
ton.
President Mitchell is not expected |
in the city before Monday, as he is |
busy attending the session of the an |
tracite strike commission He Is to !
be greeted on his arrival with a dem |
onstration such as has never been |
rendered to labor leader before |
business men have co-operated with |
the labor unions in preparing for the |
event and Mr.. Mitchell will be es-
corted from the station to the conven-
tion headquarters by an imposing pro-
cession headed by bands of music. In |
the evening he win be the guest at D
big public reception in his honor.