The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-28
All the Business Before the Organiza-
ton Finished by the Time of
Noon Adjournment.
PRESIDENT MITCHELL TALKS
HE POINTS OUT PITFALLS IN PATH
OF UNION LABOR.
i'm the AfternoOn-EIks' Recep-
ton to Mitchell.

The United Mine Workers of America
closed the fourteenth annual convention
of the organization in Tomlinson Hall yes
terday afternoon with a speech making ses-
sion in which all OF the leaders were given
an opportunity TO talk of the harmony OF
the convention and the splendid condition
OF the union at the present time. The
morning session was taken up in deciding
details Of miscellaneous business left over
from the day before and by the noon adj
journment nothing remained for considera-
ton. At the afternoon session the various
leaders were called on to speak and finally
the officers of the union. After Secretary
Wilson had concluded his announcements,
Delegate Mates, OF Wilkesbarre, led the
convention in song and the familiar air
America" was given noisily by the eight
hundred delegates and visitors in the hail.
In President John Mitchell's clos
ing speech to the convention he
declared his position on socialism
by advising his fellow miners TO
steer clear of it's dangers. He said that
such movements as those that have been
made in recent labor conventions would
bring disaster to the organizations enter
tanning them, and he expressed the wish
that the miners would not be misled by the
speakers who so well presented their SUBJ
ject that they carried away conservatives
by their enthusiasm. Mr.. Mitchell said in
his closing address,
Fellow mine workers and ladies and
gentlemen: The time has about arrived
when the fourteenth annual convention of
this organization will adjourn sine die. I
feel that il must be right for me to re-
peat and to reiterate the sentiment ex-
pressed by those who preceded me in con-
graduating the delegates to this convention
for their splendid conduct and for their
united action. L also desire to thank you
for your courtesy to me chairman of this
convention.
MATTER OF PRIDE.
There is one thing L think that we may
pride ourselves on and that has been the
steady and constant growth of the intelli-
gence of our conventions. 1t is the most
magnificent tribute to the trade union
movement. When the intelligence and
morals of a movement are bettered 1t is
elevating to the movement. 1t elevates
the manhood and the womanhood and the
childhood of unionism, and of our country.
Every movement that raises the standard
of citizenship of our country is for the
good of the country. and is looked on more
favorably. / remember when it was not
fashionable TO belong TO a union. Now 1t is
ing man who does not belong to labor
union is a peculiar fellow. Years ago the
one who did was the peculiar one. 1t is the
boast Of the working people of our country
that they have become united.
81 don't believe in the heresies that some
people are trying to inject into the trades
union movement. / believe that in this
country there is an evolutionary movement
in our Industrial affairs. The trades union
movement is revolutionizing the affairs OF
the union. We are gradually drifting to q
better condition, but we cannot advance
that Increment by passing resolutions. II
cannot Je helped nor retarded. / want tC
see the mine workers keep away from such
movements. L don't want this organiza
ton to chase after false gods nor pursue
rainbows. Stick to the trodden paths OF
conservatism and steer clear of the rocks
on which wrecks of other labor organiza
II am not old, yet have seen many un
| fortunate mistakes of those who drove
| other trades unions on to defeat. We will
! organizations which were failures for tn,
| reason that they were unwisely guided Il
| radical action.
IS LOOKING FORWARD.
ST don't know when all of the miners
of the United States will be organized.
| look forward to a day in the future whel
there will be no bituminous miners and n,
| anthracite miners, but men who work a
| the mining industry in the country in on
organization. I want to see every mai
who earns his living In the mines Of thi
| country a member of the United Min
/ Workers of America. Sometimes our PEG
| pie grow impatient and think we are no
| progressing rapidly enough. I also am i'm
| patient at times, but nevertheless it is
| matter of history that the United Min
| Workers OF America has grown so rapidl
| in the last five years that to-day 1t is nu
merically and financially the strongest la
| Dor organization in the world. 1 don
| boast and deceive myself about on
strength. We are not impregnable and fail
| ure is not impossible. The standards W
from the position in which they wer
placed, whether in defeat or success. /
| the South we met defeat, but the locals es
tablished there are stin In existence. IN
twenty-five years ago have grown and W
are now reaping rich and plenteous har
I'm conclusion 1 desire to express tn
hope that you will do what you can I
perfect our organization. Remember tina
the officers do not make the union. If a
| of were national presidents unio
would not amount to much. The men VIII
dig the coal. the men. who drive the mule
| and the boys who work in the breakers ar
the bone and sinew of the organization.
wish to thank you for your courteous treat
ment of me during the sessions of this cor
vention as well as for your cordial supper
during my terms of office in this organize
tion."
VICE PRESIDENT LEWIS.
Preceding President Mitchell Vice Pres
dent Lewis spoke for a few minutes in ure
ing the delegates TO renew their efforts
organize the workers in the coal fields. i
concluding his talk on the power OF I'll
organization he said: I'VE can in our OF
ganization regulate our own wages.
the price paid for coal is not high enoug
to give US proper wages, we will not hay
to strike. All we will have TO do is to la
of and take vacation for few days III
til the price of coal goes up so that we ma
| receive the wages due us