Evening journal., 1905-01-17
MINERS UNION
ON THE DECLINE
President Mitchelps Report
Shows Loss Of $4,000
Members
HOW SLIDING SCALE WORKED
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Indianapolis, Ind, Jan. 1.-THE 10th
annual national convention OF the
United Mine Workers OF America was
opened by President Mitchell in Tom
linson Hall. Nearly 600 delegates, rep
resenting every one or the N districts,
were IN their seats. The three anthra-
cite districts sent 1s0 delegates, head.
ed by President John Fahy and 7. d.
Nichols. rs.at t
Reports from all the districts show
a shortage in work compared with
previous years. In Indiana the average
time worked has been less than three
days in the week Il is said present
conditions would tend toward a further
reduction in wages II scale we're
fixed this year.
The first order of business was the
annual report of President Mitchell.
which was read.
Mr.. Mitchell began by referring 70 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 5.55 per
cont. and accepted on q referendum vote
OF the miners. Mr.. Mitchell said:
THE result OF that referendum vote
stands as a monument TO the sagacity OF
the members OF our organization and
proves that government whether OF un-
ions or OF nations is safe and secure In
the hands OF the people. The compro-
mise proposition was accepted by a vote
OF lol. le2h as against 6S. iS5ih." Continuing
he said:
Except for the year OF the anthracite
strike this is the first time that 1 have
been unable TO report any material
growth in the membership OF the organi-
zation. Our average membership for the
year ending December 81, 1904 shows an
increase Of a little less than 1000 over the
preceding year, while the membership
for the month OF December 1904, based
upon the tax received for that month,
shows decrease OF about 25,OO0 members.
The heavy falling of IN membership
for the month OF December 1904. is ac-
counted for by the fact that from 1000
10 1o,Vuo members were on strike and ex-
onerated from the payment Of dues. The
\ greatest loss sustained Is in the eastern
Abituminous and anthracite fields"
Mr.. Mitchell then submitted a state
ment showing the operation OF the sliding
scale as established by the anthracite
coai strike commission. He showed that
the operation Of this scale from April 1.
1908, TO December 81, 1904. had resulted as
follows In April, 1903 the average price
OF coal was SAi4 per ton and there was no
percentage OF increase In compensation.
In December. 1904 the average price OF
coal was A.S6 per ton and there was an
increase OF 7 per cent in the miner :
compensation--this increase was in add.
ton to the horizontal increase Of 10 per
cent. granted by the anthracite commits.
sion
Closing his reference 70 the anthracite
situation Mr.. Mitchell said: II fear tn,
anthracite mine workers win be unabl,
to secure any further concessions or ever
to maintain their present standard un
less they take immediate steps to per
feet their organization"
He dwelt at length on the Colorad,
strike. the declaration of martial law II
Las Animas county by Governor Pea
body, and the riotous scenes that culmi
mated In attacks on mine workers on
cials and In the deportation of unioi
miners from Colorado by the militia
Commenting on the failure OF the strik
Mr.. Mitchell said: 1T is needless TO sa,
that the failure Of this strike was to n
q source Of sorrow and keen disappoint
inent. and in spite Of the fact that il ha,
already cost us approximately 500, ,00C
had there been ar rAs=--AaAle hope o