Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-03-22
MINERS IN SESSION
More Than 1000 Delegates at the
indianapolis Meeting.
The OUS1ING or DOLAy SUSTAINED.
President Mitchell COunseled Con.
sentative Procedure in Effort
to Preserve Peace I'm
Coal Industry.

Indianapolis, March 16.-Tne hatlon-
al convention of the United Mine
Workers Of America, opened at 10
o'clock Thursday, in the German
house, with over 1000 delegates pres
emit representing 1,461 locals. Tne
convention has been called by Presi-
dent Mitchell to consider action which
msy result in an agreement with the
coal operators that will prevent gen.
eral strike on April !, that would
bring 425,0O0 men from the mines.
The conference with the operators Will
begin here next Monday.
When the last convention OF mine
workers adjourned February 2, fol-
lowing joint conference with the
operators which had failed to arrive
at wage agreement, strike on April
1. WAS inevitable unless something
should intervene.
At that convention which assembled
January 16 the miners had demanded
an increase in wages Of 121s per cent
the admission of the southwestern
states, a seven per cent difference be-
tween machine and pick mining, q
121h per cent for yardage and dead
work, prohibition of employment Of
boys under 16 years old, an eight hour
day, a one year contract and rln-or-
mine basis.
The operators, on the other hand
demanded a reduction Of from 10 to
is per cent, protection against STAN
pede strikes and better system o.
adjudicating local troubles.
Little was accomplished Thursday
beyond the organization of the dele
gates and the appointment OF COM
mittees. President Mitchell delivered
his address In which he explained the
reasons for calling the extraordinary
meeting and counseled conservative
procedure in the effort to preserve
peace in the coal industry. In CLOS
ing his address he said:
"In the consideration and discussion
Of all matters coming before the con-
yention, 1t is my earnest hope tna'
acrimonious debate will be entirely
eliminated and that we shall stand
united in an earnest effort to serve our
people and to secure for them a larger
measure Of the fruits of their toll
that when we leave Indianapolis, oui
organization may have regained any
prestige lost as the result OF the In
ternational dissension and that ever
those unfriendly to labor may be sat
istied that the United Mine Workers
of America is a sane, Just. business as
ISOLATION, whose highest purpose Is mo-
to achive victories by means OF III
great strength, but rather through th'
inherent justice that lies in the cause
1t represents"
The international executive board a
a meeting held Thursday evening fol
lowing the adjournment Of the nation
al convention, approved the finding
of President Mitchell In the matter o
ousting Patrick Dolan from presidenc!
of District No Is, western Pennsylva
mia, and the report Of the board Frida!
viii confirm the ousting Of Dolan b!
the convention Of District No. 5, AM
the appointment of three members o
the executive board to take charge o
the district affairs until the once 4
filled by special election.
After a heated session lasting thre
hours behind closed doors, in wdicl
Dolan's claims were argued by himsel
and Uriah Belllngham, vice presiden
Of the district, who was also ouste'
from his ONCE, the board voted unan
Imously to sustain the action Of tn
president and the district convention.
According to authoritative reports
the Ohio operators have determined :
abolish the check-off system by whicl
the operators collect the dues for Ii
miners organization and which the OF
orators allege is the backbone of th
union.