Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-10

WEDNESDAYS SESSION.
Committees Work.

L ddy blOOll . oCooloh VI NiS
miners convention was a short one,
a%djourning early in order that the var
ious committees, comprising a large
number of the delegates, might get to
work and prepare their reports for to-
days session of the convention. The
most important work was the consid.
Grafton of the partial report of the
committee on resolutions. A great
many resolutions have been proposed
by the local unions in different parts
of the state which do not meet with
the appreciation of the majority of the
thinking men of the district %organiza-
ton, some of them being considered
too radical. Some, however, are look
ed upon with a great deal of approval
and will nc doubt be incorporated in
to the new scale or constitution. Yes
terday a committee was appointed to
draft a resolution for presentation to
the convention dealing with child la
Dor. This is n of the questions
about which there is more or less agi-
tation in all labor unions, especially
among the miners, and the resolution
presented yesterday morning to the
effect that no boys under IA years of
age be allowed to work in the mines
meets with the approval of a great
many of the delegates. However, it
is thought that a better resolution can
be prepared and the committee was
appointed for that purpose. Frank l..
Rice of Avery is the chairman of this
committee.
Cooperative Store Question.
Solomon Meek of Beacon, yesterday
afternoon tried to secure the passage
of a motion to make a special order Of
business for 10 o'clock this morning
OF the resolution which vas presented
by the Beacon delegates at last years
convention and by the convention re-
ferring back to the local union. Con-
siderable discussion was brought out
by Mr.. Meek's motion and it was fin
ally tabled by a heavy vote.
The Beacon proposition contem-
plates the establishment of a store at
Abba, to be under the supervision of
the executive board of the district
miners organization and to be manag.
ed by an experienced man who shall
direct the conduct of the place and
employ such additional help as he
shall see fit, the restriction being add.
ed, however, that they shall be the
sons or daughters of miners. This
store, it is proposed, shall pc conduct.
ed on business principles but not
with the idea of realizing anything
! from it except so much a. shall be
needed to maintain it. The reason
for the proposition as given is that
the miners are now forced to pay eX.
orbitant prices for their provisions
and tools. However, the majority OF
those at the convention do not seem
t to favor the proposition and the pro,
i position was tabled by a vote of the
assemblage yesterday afternoon.
!, Changes Desired.
This year the same changes in the
: scale as are always wanted are being
asked for by some of the local unions
t Some of the delegates are even talk
ing the question of a twenty per cent
increase in wages for all men employ
ed about the mines of the state. This
| matter, however, is accepted as set
r tied by a number, at twelve and one
). half per cent, and it is not thought
that there will be much discussion or
this matter among the miners.
i. However, there are some things
4 which the miners believe should be
changed. Among these are the con
; ditions now existing regarding house
rent. A resolution presented by the
Rathbun local asks that house rem
g be placed at 81 per room and that the
+ price OF powder be reduced. These
matters are in the hands of the scale
8 committee.
i 1t is also desired by SOM of the
miners delegates that the operators
S be asked to furnish coal to the miners
free of charge, but this is said to be al
s impossibility by many operators ant
many miners as well. While it might
be possible in some small camps, il
would be impracticable, it is urged, il
camps where any appreciable number
of miners and their families reside
9 and the profits of the coal companies
would be reduced materially. How
! ever, it is very probable that the min
: ers will insist upon a low price from
! the operators on coal this year, ant
: there is little doubt that the reques
! will be granted.
The matter of night and Sunda!
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