The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-19
MINERS HURRY THROUGH
THE FIRST SESSION OF
THE GREAT CONVENTION

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
me say right here that organized labor can
only win its fights when 1t has something
to present that will appeal to the sense of
unions are very much like political parties.
They cannot hope to win unless there is be-
hind their issues a conscience and a moral
force which enlist public sentiment
Edward + Barry, speaking in behalf OF
the Central Labor Union, welcomed the WIS.,
itOrs in part as follows:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Delegates to the Fifteenth Annual Conven-
ton of United Mine Workers: 1t is indeed
a pleasant duty that has been assigned me
that of extending a welcome TO you in
behalf of organized labor of the city of
Indianapolis. We are glad to have you
with US again, and will welcome you as
often as you see fit to make our beautiful
city the scene of your annual deliberations.
We are making history fast in the labor
movement, and when one stops to reflect
on what was the condition of the mine
workers organization when, in 1898, Mr..
Ratchford, Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Pearce and
Mr.. Davis came to this city with your ma
tiOnal headquarters, and compare it's condi-
ton at that time with what ii is to-day,
the history made by the miners in these
few years appears more like a tale from
the Arabian Nights than a positive real
ity. Your national officials have the sub
stances at hand, however, in the shape of
a millon-dolar treasure in our banks. and
a membership of one-third of a million ac-
counted for on their books to prove that it
Is not a dream
ON WAGE REDUCTION
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Barry
touched on the tendency towards a reduc-
ton of wages in certain lines of industry
He said that he hoped the United Mine
Workers will not submit to a reduction in
their present scale of wages. THUS far"
he said 'the note of your Indianapolis con-
ventions has been one of advancement. Let
il not be said that 1904 marks q backward
step in your history. Being the largest
trade union the continent, a backward
step on your part will be regretted by every
union in America" Mr.. Barry's statement
was loudly appauded.
In reply to the two addresses of welcome
President Mitchell responded briefly. He
said:
I'VE hope that our conduct this year will
be, in other years. such to commend
itself to the right-thinking people of In
Annapolis. We have reason to think we'll
of indianapolis In Tomlinson Hall here.
during our several meetings, we have OBJ
tanned higher wages, improved conditions
of employment and elevated manhood.
womanhood and childhood for the many
persons dependent on the mining industry
in the United States. The miners are
trades unionists. We indulge in no vision
airy theories, we know what we want we
understand and respect the rights of our
employers and are mindful of our duties to
society. / hope the legislation OF this con-
ventlon VIII be deserving of the commenda-
ton of all people.
Il feel on this occasion that Ii would not
be amiss TO refer to a meeting held here a
few days ago. A representative Of the EN-
ployers Association, in addressing business
men here, took occasion to say that the
! Commercial Club of Indianapolis was maxi
ing mistake in invating labor organizations
to make their national headquarters in this
| city. We concede to the manufacturers ev-
cry right we demand for ourselves, and we
would welcome them to indianapolis. But
we will grant them no rights that we would
| not exercise for ourselves. The labor organ
! izattons having their national headquarters in
| indianapolis advance the material prosperity
OF the city. They have on deposit in Indian
| apolls banks more money than any other in
| terest in the State of Indiana. 1t amounts
| 10 M,5O,OOO. Our convention brings money
| TO lndianapolis-more money, believe. than
| any other convention held in Indianapolis In
| the course OF year. l am glad to say that
/ the advice of the representative of the EN-
ployerS Association met with no response
/ from the business men of Indianapolis"
After the opening addresses the conven-
| ton proceeded at once to business. Pres
/ ident Mitchell appointed the following COM
| mlttee on rules and order OF business;
| Adam Rascavage, OF Pennsylvania; d. w
| Lackey, of Indiana, and Edward CahilI. OF
| Illinois. Then followed the reading by the
| credentials committee of the different locals
/ OF the union according to their districts
! stating their standing, number of author
/ lied delegates and their number of votes
The committee will submit its amended
/ report at this mornings session. IL was
l found that many additions in the number OF
/ delegates and votes will have to be made
/ The members worked far into the night
yesterday Strengthening out the list OF dele.
/ gates and credentials. 1t was reported late
/ last night that there will be about twenty
four hundred votes authorized. Indiana
will have liz votes.
Only once did it appear that there would
/ be a contention in the proceedings of the
day. The report of the committee on rules
/ and order OF business embodied the clause
/ that any delegate who should misconduct
/ himself or violate the rules of the conven-
ton should be expelled and reported TO the
| national secretary. One of the delegates
/ objected TO the section on the grounds
I that IL implied that misconduct was antici-
pated and ne declared that no such rule
/ was necessary for convention of mine
workers he was strongly backed in the
( motion that the section be stricken out
/ However. further discussion was avoided
by Delegate Haskins moving that the mo.
ton be tabled. 1t was carried. The com.
mittee on rules and order of business re.
T stricted delegates from speaking more thar
five minutes or having the floor twice or
/ the same question without the consent OF
the convention.
Aside from the report of the committee
on rules and order of business most OF IN,
. afternoon session was devoted TO the an
nual address of the three executive officers
President Mitchell began his address at
o'clock.