The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-17
Saved from Expulsion By Ap-
peal Of President Mitchell
SCALE COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Action of the President In Calling
Special Convention to Try to
Adjust Grievances Is
Upheld.

indianapolis, March 16.-The special ua-
| tional convention of the United Mine
Workers of America this afternoon en-
dorsed the action of the executive board
in sustaining the findings of President
John Mitchell in the matter Of oustlng
Patrick Dolan and Uriah Bellingham
from the presidency and vice presidency
of District No. D. Western Pennsylvania.
AS far as the national organization Is
concerned this is the end of Dolan's case.
Only the pleas of President Mitchell and
Secretary Wilson prevented the expulsion
of Dolan from the organization. Dolan
and his supporters claim something of a
victory in defeat from the fact that he
was seated as delegate in the eonven-
ton, as was also Vice President Belling-
ham. The two actions followed lmme-
diately on the partial report of the cre-
dentials committee, which had included
the names Of Belingham and Dolan as
delegates.
President Mitchell said in speaking to
a motion to exclude Dolan and Belllng-
ham from the list of accredited delegates:
NO one man in this convention has
greater cause for resentment against
Patrick Dolan than l.; one man in
this convention has been SO grossly
wronged by him as l have, But l hope
am big enough to forget his wrongs
when the laws of the United Mine Work
ers of America are called into question:
Mitchell Appeals for Conservatism.
President Mitchell then recited the pro-
visions of the constitution of the union
for the election of delegates
Il say he went on that you will
make a mistake if you refuse to seat
Mr.. Dolan | have no desire to sustain
his action IN the convention but whether
he does justice to me or not, l will do
justice to him, ! want to appeal to you
in the name Of your laws to vote down
this motion
Delegate Walker of Illinois inquired
whether it would be a violation of the
laws of the organization to hang Dolan
After the laugh had subsided, President
Mitchell suggested that this statement
might be differently construed when read
in cold type. Walker replied
Il don't care how 1t Is construed"
"rhe organization cares replied Mr..
Mitchell earnestly, at the same time
bringing his gayel to the table with a
resounding blow.
Vice President Lewis also made EN-
phatc protest against Delegate Walkers
language. on vote the motion was
lost, and by subsequent action the lam
guage of Walker was stricken from the
record
President Mitchell announced the reso-
lutons committee as follows:
w r. Farley. w. d. Ryan. George w.
Hartleln, william Mcpherson. James
Cantwell, j II. Kennedy, s. s. Drackney,
William Green ]. p. Gallagher. W. w.
White. Frank Fehan.
Scale Committee Report Adopted.
The scale committee made the follow
ing report which was adopted:
"Whereas, the President of the United
States has requested President M,chell
to make another effort to avoid strike
of the coal miners of the country, and
"Whereas, President Mitchell has called
a convention as per request of the Pres-
dent of the United States; therefore, be it
Resolved That we heartily endorse
the policy and action of President Mitchell
in this matter and now hold ourselves In
readiness to meet our employers for the
| purpose of endeavorlng to effect a salts
factory settlement of the wage question.
"WELLINGTON O'coNNER,
| JOHN =. WHITE. Chairman.
Secretary"
Jacob Stanley of Taylorvlle. ILL.,. Offer
| ed to amend the report of the committee
| to provide for an absolute run-of-mine
| basis throughout the territory covered by
any contract to be signed This was re-
| ferred to the committee on resolutions.
Delegate James b. Lee moved that tho
committee be instructed to bring in spe-
ciic demands for wages and conditions.
Secretary Wilson asked il the original
| scale Of the January convention had been
modified and was told that it had not
been. The motion failed to carry
Secretary Wilson then read the pro-
ceedings before the national executive
board OF Thursday afternoon and evening
In the matter of appeal OF Patrick Dolau
from the decision of President Mitchell
sustaining the right of the district to
oust him from the presidency of District
No for refusing TO cast the vote of
the district according to his Instructions
and In voting To accept the proposition
of the operators in the January joint con-
ference The finding OF the board sus-
tained the attitude Of President Mitchell
and the power OF the convention to de-
clare Dolan's office vacant The report
was unanimously adopted amid the vigor-
Gus cheering.
Move Expulsion of Members.
National Executive Board Member
Thomas Burk Of Illinois then moved the
| expulsion OF President Dolan and Vice
President Bellingham of District No.
from the United Mine Workers OF Amer
lea.
President Mitchell asked permission to
make Il suggestion. and said:
Let me ask you to defer voting on
this measure in your own interest until
some other time. Let us settle our diff
ferences with the operators first and then
our own Internal dissensions.
Delegate John Walker or Illinois moved
that vote on the motion be deferred un-
til after the conference with the opera
tors. President Perry or the Illinois dis
trct asked whether II no such conference
should be held whether the matter would
ever come up again. and suggested post
/ ponement to a certain time
The motion to defer was carried.
The convention then adjourned until IN