The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-12

termination. I would, therefore. recom- mend that the struggle be continued in the same manner that has marked it's progress in the past, until at last, as 1 firmly believe, victory will crown our ef- forts, and we may again enjoy peace in the mining industries of Alabama, such as prevailed for many years prior to 1904.
 While much more may be paid in praise of the men who are on strike for their loyalty to the cause they espouse. It must not be forgotten that there are those who have had employment during the period of strike of whom feel as though the most glowing tribute that could ut ter would not do them justice for the noble manner in which they have respond ed to the call for assistance from the less
 fortunate brothers Cthe strikers) com- mands for them greater and nobler recog- milton than has been accorded any miners in the history of strikes.
 Loyalty Shown.
 Not only have the working miners shown much loyalty to the striking min
 CTS but never in the history of our orr ganization in Alabama have they put
 forth such efforts to keep inviolate the contracts that we had entered into with the operators, as has been done during
 the contract year now about to close. "Only in one instance has it occurred
 that a mine has been laid idle on account of any grievance that has arisen. This
 instance occurred at Coleanor, where on
 Wednesday, May 30, the drivers refused to go into the mines because one of their
 number had been discharged on account of his mule being crippled. The mine com
 mittee nor the miners, however, were 10 blame for the stoppage, for when the drlV- CTS refused to work after the mine com mittee had used all efforts to induce them to do so, several miners were ready and willing to take the places of the drivers had they been requested by the company to do so. This matter was ad-
 justed by Board Member Wallwork and the drivers returned to work the follow- ing day.
 AS you are all aware of the fact that the mining laws of Ala bama are lament
 ably deficient and that during the last year or so two explosions have taken place in our state that have dealt death and destruction to our miners. and as our state legislature meets but once In TOUT years, the opportunities for creating new mining laws or amending the present form
 of laws that we now have in force are ~--~ legislature meets I would recommend to this convention that the executive board be empowered to select n committee to
 be known as a legislative committee for the purpose of endeavoring to secure bet ter mining laws.
 Part In Politics.
 .I desire to call your attention to the fact that this is the year in which state and county officers will be elected. And it
 should be the duty of the members Of our organization and of trades unions gen. erally to see to it that such men should
 be elected to fill the various offices as
 would enact and enforce laws that guar antee the miners more protection than is accorded them at present.
 .The injunction cases in the United States court and damage suits from Tus- caloosa county that were pending during our last convention have not materiaiized to date
 "In conclusion I desire to most earn estIv thank the district and local officers for the generous support and cooperation
 during the past year"
 CIemo's Report.
 Birmingha Ala, June Il, 1906. Mr President and Gentlemen of the Ninth Ann1al Convention of District 20, Tinted Mine Workers of America: In accordance with a long established and well-defined custom of our organiza- tion. I herewith submit for your consider alton my financial report for the fiscal year ending April 30 1906. At the close of business April 90, 1905, we had bal ance on hand in the district treasury of s45. 403 A. our income during the year was S4S4 4oS 32 making a total of S529 .S3l.I IS. Our expenditures for the same period was s499 O29 19 leaving a balance on hand April
 30, 1sO6 of 80, ,S01. .94. Our expenditures have exceeded the income by Sl4.S01 .41, notwith standing that the majority of our mem
 bership have been engaged in great struggle for the past twenty-two months. we have sl2,627.04 more in our treasury than when the strike was called. We are providing aid for 3617 members and their families making total of 15.lS5. The amount paid for provisions, fuel. medical attention and other necessities for twenty two months Is $905, l.61. The amount re- ceived from National Secretary-Treasurer w. B. Wilson Is $40, 73757, we have re- ceived from strike assessment for the same period $164, ,00o09 In conclusion per init me to say. that too much praise can not be given our members for their faith 1 fitness and loyalty In paying their assess ments during this long drawnout strike; and also the men on strike deserve the highest commendation for having endured the many hardships that are incident to strikes of such long duration. The paid-up membership for the month of April. 1905