Arizona republican., 1904-01-19
MINE WORKERS Opening of 18th Annual
 Convention at Indianapolis
 A FINANCIAL SHOWING
Report of President Mitchell Advising Moderation on the Part of the Mine Workers, That There Be No Upris- ing Against Trade UniOnism.

Indianapolis, Jan. 1S-Tha fifteenth annual convention of the United Mine Workers of America began here today with 1000 delegates in attendance. Af ter the addresses of welcome President Mitchell delivered his annual address. Secretary Wilson made his annual report, in which he said he had hoped to report a larger amount of money on hand, but the large number of strikes requiring aid from the na- tional organization had been a great drain on its resources. On November 30, there was in the Indianapolis banks, $1,196, IF belonging to the organiza- tion. The paid up membership was 2S9, ,S36. The total membership was proximately 3SO,OOO. To avoid loss of revenue from these 400OO members not paid up, which would amount to S96,OOO annually, the stamp system is advo- cated in report.
 MT. Wilson recommends that the mine workers journal be made a monthly publication instead of week ly and that the per capita tax be in creased five cents per month to pay for extra copies to be distributed to locals.
 
 the financial statement:
 Balance on hand Jan. l, 1903. .s1, ,027, ,120 Total income. Jan. l. to Nov.
 30, 1903. .... .... ...... 652, ,651 Grand total ...... ..........s1679,7 ,771 Total expenditures Jan. 1 to
 NOV. 50, 1yO3.... .-.-....S 5I3,594 Balance on hand Nov. 30, 1903s s1, 1O6 IF
 
 IT orrOw.
 Mitchell urges that the convention be moderate in speech and conservative in action, adding: i've should keep in mind that the enemies of labor and the opponents of trade unionism as repre- sented by the Manufacturers Associa- tion and the Citizens Industrial Ali ance, are ever ready to make capital out of the smallest indiscretion, and to magnify out Of all reasonable propor- tion the slightest mistake that trade unionism may make"
 The report says of the situation in anthaeite field: "SiRce the close of the anthracite strike, the relations of op- orators and miners have grown stead fly more cordial. With very few ex- captions the award of the commission has been rigidly observed and an era of comparative peace and contentment has reigned in that territory.
 Of central Pennsylvania the report says: During the month of March the miners and operators of the central district of Pennsylvania report that approximately 10000 mer in joint conference in the city of Altoona consummated ar agreement which secured to our mem bers a substantial scale of wages and for the first time in the history of the field established the eight hour work day. The importance of this achieve ment cannot be overestimated."
 MT. Mitchell refers to the extension of the conference method of adjusting wage difference into West Vir- giria, Missouri, Arkansas and Indian Territory. which, he says promises a CTS and operators.
 MT. Mitchell says: 'In all other dis tricts in which mining prices have here. tofore been regulated by agreement increased wages were secured and oth- CT concessions were obtained and while in many instances wages have not ad- vanCed in proportion to the increases secured in the central competitive coal fields, on the whole, We have every req son to feel fairly well satisfied with gains during the year 190S''
 The extension of the organization into