The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-01-20
MINERS in CONVENTION
President John Mitchell Makes His An.
nual Report.
WILL RESIST. REDUCTION IN SCALE.
Reports From All Districts Show Shortage
In Work, With Conditions Tending to
Further Reduction in Wages-Anxiety Over
Joint Conference Soon to Be Held in
Altoona.

indianapolis, Ind. (SpeciaD. = The
sixteenth annual National Convention
of the United Mineworkers of America
was opened by President Mitchell IN
Tomlinson Hail. Nearly GOO delegates,
representing every one of the rs dis
tricts, were in their seats. The largest
delegations were from the central dis
trcts. The Ohio district delegation was
headed by President w. H. Haskins, and
the Western Pennsylvania delegation by
President Patrick Dolan The three an
thracite districts sent 100 delegates,
headed by President John Fahy and 1.
D. Nichols.
Reports from all the districts show
shortage in work compared with pre-
vious years. In Indiana the average
time worked has been less than three
days in the week. 1t is said present con-
ditions would tend toward further re-
duction in wages if scale were liked
this year.
The approaching joint conference OF
the Central Pennsylvania district at Al
toona is being considered with some arlx-
iety by the mineworkers. 1t is believed
the operators will endeavor to force
heavy reduction in the scale. The
convention is expected to take some &C
ton anticipating such step.
Mayor Hoffman delivered brief ad-
dress of welcome on behalf OF the CITY;
Fl. L. Dunn spoke on behalf of the Cen
trail Labor Union of this city President
Mitchell responded, and after short
address to the miners on their reassem-
bling for the labors of another conven-
ton. he announced the following COM
mittee on rules and order of business.
William Dodds, Pittsburg; Richard
Gilbert, of Central Pennsylvania dis
trict, and w. T. Morris, of Illinois. The
credentials committee announced the
seating of all delegates, except those
from Districts 7 and 20, which had not
paid up in full The case of the dele
gates excepted was referred 20 s special
committee. The credentials committee
report announced that 1905 locals were
entitled to representation i'll the con-
vention, with I,843 votes.
A recess was then taken.
When the convention reassembled at
rs Lie Oli iuiSo iSPOitNo.
The first order of business was the an
nual report of President Mitchell, which
was read.
Mr.. Mitchell began by referring to
the compromise between miners and OPP
orators year ago, whereby the IS per
cent reduction that was at first insisted
upon by the operators was reduced to
SIS per cent, and accepted on refer
endum vote of the miners. Mr.. Mitchell
said:
Except for the year of the anthracite
strike this is the first time that have
been unable to report any material
growth in the membership of the organi-
cation. Our average membership for
the year ended December 81, 1904, shows
an increase of little less than 1000 over
the preceding year, while the member
ship for the month of December, 1905
based upon the tax receipts of about 25,-
600 members.
"The heavy falling off in membership
for the month of December, 1904, is ac-
counted for by the fact that from 10000
to $4,000 members were on strike and
exonerated from the payment of dues.
The greatest losses sustained is in the
Eastern bituminous and anthracite fields.
At no time since 1897 has work been
so irregular and the coal trade so de-
moralized. l feel confident that our Or
ganization has suffered no permanent
loss in strength or influence, and that
with the revival of business and indus
trial activity we shall, in the near fu-
ture regain this apparent loss and sur
pass our former strength