Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-26
MINERS LOSE FIRST ROUND
Joint Convention Declines 10 Admit South
western States to difference.
RULES AND ORDER OF BUSINESS ADOPTED
Scale Committee viii Consist of Four
Operators and Four Miners, Rnd
Each IL Allowed an
Attorney.

INDIANAPOLIS Ind. Jan. s5-The de-
mand OF the United Mine Workers of
America that the operators and miners of
the southwestern district be admitted to
the functions. of the joint conference of
the coal operators and miners of the gen
eral competitive district was twice de-
feated during the FIRST session of the joint
session in Tornlnson hall this afternoon.
The question provoked considerable debate
and, aside from the adoption of the re-
ports on the committees on rules and or
der Of business and credentials. was the
only business disposed OF
The operators, opposed the admission of
the southwestern district operators and
miners on the ground that the present
joint conference was the result of years
OF labor and the extension Of the scope
OF the convention would, because Of d.
yersifed local issues. tend to jeopardize
the possibility of erecting an agreement
and perhaps disrupt the convention.
President Mitchell and his supporters took
the ground that local issues could not dis.
turb the convention or block a general
wage agreement and declared their belief
that an extension OF the joint convention
would promote harmony.
Mitchell Temporary Chairman.
The first session OF the joint convention
was called to order at 2:So o'clock this aft
ernoon, and on motion of f. l.. Robbins OF
Pittsburg. President John Mitchell was
made temporary chairman and G. l.. Scrogg
of Chicago temporary secretary. The com
mittees on credentials and rules and order
of business were announced and n recess
was taken until o'clock. When the CON
vention reassembled at o'clock G.. w
Traer OF Chicago was elected permanent
chairman and Secretary Treasurer W. r
Wilson OF the Mine Workers, permanent
secretary and G. L. Scrogg assistant sec
rotary. The report of the committee or
rules and order OF business was adopted
Its principal provisions were that eacl
state shall have four votes, each for op
orators and miners; all questions affecting
the wage scale shall be '.rnain and prinei
pal questions and shall require an az
firmative vote for passage; that in no case
shall the rules be suspended OH ''main ant
principal questions. and that the scale
committee shall consist of four operator.
and four miners each member being priv,
fieRed to haveethe services of an attorney
who shall have no right to vote. All SEES
slons OF the joint conference are to bt
open to the general public except wher
otherwise decided by vote OF the delegates
Miners Lose First Round.
Immediately on the report of the ere
dentials committee, President Mitchell Of
the miners offered to amend the report tC
provide for the admission of the south
western states. F. L. Robbins of Pennsyl
vania made a point OF order that as the
admission of new territory was a matter
for the initiative and action of the con
vention, the amendment could not be in
cluded in the commuters report. The chail
sustained the point Mr.. Mitchell then pre-
scented an original motion providing for the
admission Of the Southwestern district
After debate which, continued until al
iiost- clock under suspension of tn,
rules, the ahiotioii was lost by a strictly
partisan vote OF rs nays and IS ayes.
Before Adjournment President Mitchell
called for a meeting OF the miners at
a. m. today. ~