The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-01-19
MINERS UNION, DECLINES
President Mitchell's Report Shows
Loss of $4,000 Members.
HOW SLIDING SCALE WORKED

Fears Anthracite Workers Will Be
Unable to Secure Concessions Un-
less They Perfect Their oreaniza'
tion-The Colorado Strike.
Indianapolis. Ind. Jan. 1.-THE 10th
annual national convention of the
United Mine Workers of America was
opened by President Mitchell in Tom
linson Hail Nearly 600 delegates, rep
resenting every one OF the 25 districts.
were in their seats. The three anthra-
cite districts sent 1870 delegates. head
ed by President John Fahy and I. ID.
Nichols
Reports from all the districts show
shortage in work compared with
previous years In Indiana the average
time worked has been less than three
days in the week Ii is said present
conditions would tend toward further
reduction in wages If scale were
fixed this year
The first order of business was the
annual report of President Mitchell.
which was read.
Mr.. Mitchell began by referring to the
compromise between miners and opera
tors year ago whereby the Is per cent
reduction that was at first insisted upon
by the operators was reduced to $50 per
cent and accepted on referendum vote
OF the miners MIR Mitchell said:
't'rhp result a. that referendum vote
stands as a monument to the sdgacity OF
the members OF our organization and
proves that government. whether Of UNI
ions or OF nations. is safe and secure I'm
the hands OF the people. The compro-
mise proposition was accepted by vote
Of l0l 1921. as against Is iNi7." Continuing
ne said:
Except for the year Of the anthracite
strike this is the first time that LaVe
been unable to report any material
growth i'm the membership OF the organi-
cation. our average membership FOR the
year ending December 81. 1894 shows an
increase of little less than 4OOo over the
preceding year. while the membership
for the month OF December. 1884, based
upon the tax received for that month.
shows a decrease OF about 25.0o0 members.
"The heavy falling OF in membership
counted for by the fact that from 2oe0
10 1000 members were on strike md eX-
oncrated from the payment Of dues. The
greatest loss sustained is In the eastern
bItuminous and anthracite fields
Mr. Mitchell then submitted state
ment showing the operation OF the sliding
scale as established by the anthracite
coal strike commission. He showed that
the operation of this scale from april !.
1905 to December 81 l@4 had resulted as
follows. In April 1913. the average price
Of coal was A.l4 per ton and there Was no
percentage OF increase in compensation.
Ia December. 1904 the average price of
coal was SiS6 per ton and there Was an
increase OF per cent in the miners
compcnsa tion-this increase was in add
tion to the horizontal increase OF 10 per
cent. granted by the anthracite commits
sion.
Closing his reference To the anthracite
situation Mr.. Mitchell said. II fear the
anthracite mine workers will be unable
TO secure any further concessions or even
TO maintain their present standard un-
less they take immediate steps 20 per-
feet their organization"
lie dwelt az length on the Colorado
strkr. the declaration Of martial law In
Las Animas county by Governor Pea
body. and the riOtOus scenes that culmi-
mated in attacks ON mine workers Off
cials and in the deportation OF union
miners from Colorado by the militia.
Commenting on the failure Of the strike
Mr. Mitchell said. 1T is needless to say
that the failure of this strike was to us
4 source Of sorrow and keen disappoint-
ment. and in spite Of the fact that 1t had
already cost as approximately $50 900
had there been any reasonable hope OF
success We should have advised It's con-
tinuance even though this course would
have exhausted our national treasury.
but when We are convinced beyond per
adventure that a strike cannot be won
it becomes our solemn duty. regardless OF
criticism or condemnation. to recognize
the inevitable and declare that so far as
We are concerned the strike should be
brought TO a close.
Touching upon injunctions Mi Nit
Chell said: Every year emphasizes more
strongly the iniquity of the federal in
junction as applied in labor disputes
During the last year injunctions have
been issued in every coal field in which
strike has been inaugurated. and mem
beers Of our association have been con-
fined In jail because of alleged disregard
of these iniunctions. Notwithstanding the
fact that after our people had remained
in prison for a considerable time. the
very judges issuing the injunction has re-
versed hts own action and declared that !
when the injunction was issued his court !
was without jurisdiction In the case. II
is apparent to every one who is acquaint- !
I'd with the facts that many OF these in
junction judges are totally unfit to per
form the functions of their sacred office. |
In numerous instances members OF our
union. when brought before these judges, |
have been treated with indignity.'
Continuing Mr.. Mitchell said: 1T may |
not be amiss al this time to call your at
tention to the fact that one year from |
next April our joint agreements expire
in practically every coal producing dis
trict-both bituminous and anthracite
in the United States Reference 10 the re-
ports of commercial agencies and trade
journals seems TO indicate an approach |
ing revival Of business and a period Of
Industrial activity If these predictions |
are realized we should be able to regain |
the loss in wages sustained one year ago |
and to improve conditions Of employ |
ment in those districts in which no re-
ductions were forced upon us. 1t Is. OF |
course. necessary to say that our ability |
to make further advancement-or even TO |
retain our present standard Of living and |
wages-will depend In no small degree |
upon the strength and solidarity Of our |
union"
KILLED IN FIGHT WITH FILlPINoS |
~ At