Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-05

masses OF the eOple TO OBTAIN Justice.
No less a parsonage than John Wan
namaker, an ex-postmaster general,
has very recently said that justice is
dead in the great state of Pennsylva-
MIA and that the laws of that common
wealth are only administered in the
interest OF the rich, etc, and thus a
menace to labor.
Machine Question.
This question is not a serious one,
as far as our state is concerned, but
a few thoughts along this line may
not be out Of place at this time. In
the year 1891 there were approximate
ly SAL mining machines, compared
with 4,S41 ten years later. Now should
the machines continue to increase at
the same rate, it is only a question of
time when all coal, or nearly so, will
be mined by machines. Their further
introduction into the mines of our
state, concerns the Iowa miners, in
directly, as much 50, as Ii brothers
in the other states. With improved
methods of production and the rapid
development of modern mining ma
chimes, competition becomes more
spirited and the fields of oportun-
ity more limited. And as a natural
consequence, the machine will become
a factor in determining the wages of
I the pick miner. IL has been demon
strated time and again that in order
to get the best possible results from
the machines, the operators have re-
sorted to means peculiar to mans
cunning and ingenuity to perpetrate
the new system of mining, and have
made conditions SO that men of extra
ordinary physical strength would earn
a sum OF wages out of all proportion
to the average pick miner. The extra
ordinary earnings of a few men are
held up and Haunted in the face of
our scale committees. The object of
my calling your attention to this ques-
ton is to demonstrate the necessity of
the organization in the several COM
paratively unorganized states of our
country.
The national convention recently
went on record as fayoring a more
thorough and systematic campaign of
the organization to that end and the
lUc per month assessment is to be
continued during the present year, and
used exclusively for that expressed
purpose. The results, in my judg-
ment, will exceed our most sanguine
and fondest hopest and anticipations.
Our organization is in a very heal,
thy financial condition, its strength
and as well as other data,
in connection herewith, will be dwelt
upon by our able and efficient secre-
tary.
Changes Among Locals.
There have been six local unions
organized during the present scale
year, namely: White City, Kennebec,
Eyeland, Hoover Mine, Altoona and
Clarinda. Five have been discontin-
ued, as follows: D~arbyyille, Givin,
1884 Des MONIES, Olivet and What
Cheer.
Would Join Federation.
| would recommend that this con-
vention authorize its incoming officers
to issue a circular setting forth the
wisdom of re-atiliating with the State
Federation of Labor, and urging all
local unions that have not already
done so, to do so as soon as practical
and convenient. The report of your
delegates to last convention of the
Federation will show the wisdom of
such action on our part.
To Help Colorado.
There is nearly 81, 400 appropriated
by u organization as an ~unexpended
balance on hand, for the purpose of
assisting in the organizing of the poor
ly organized states. Hence | would
recommend this amount, now on
hand, be expended by sending two of
our brothers into the state of Colorado
to assist in organizing that state. The
executive beard to select the men for
that purpose and the same to be sub
ject to orders of our national ~organiza-
ton.
National Convention.
Myself and Brother White attended
the national convention and while
there, we made every consistent effort
to gain admission into the joint inter-
state conference, but our efforts were
fruitless of practical results. The
convention was the most harmonious
of any in the 1Atory of our organi-
cation, and lot q discordant element
was to be found among the 500 dele
gates present. The Iowa delegates
consisted of forty-six in number.
Space forbids my giving a detailed
report, neither do deem it necessary,
inaSmuch as nearly all of u local
unions were represented.
A Defense Fund.
The last national convention at its
last convention recommended that the
district organizations take some steps
to establish a defense fund to be used
under the direction of our executive
board. l therefore recommend that
this convention establish a district de-
Tense fund on the following basis,
That our members be assessed one
half of one per cen on their net earn
ings, each month and forward semi
monthly to the district secretary
treasurer and by him deposited in
some responsible bank as a special
fund to be drawn out in such amounts
as may be directed from time to time
by the executive board.
1t is conceded on every hand that
our state is entitled to an advance pro.
portionate with the general advance
secured in the competitive districts OF
the interstate joint movement and
urge upon our scale committee and this
convention TO be conservative and con
siderate in this regard, 1t has been
claimed heretofore that Illinois was oul