Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-16
DOLAN IS TURNED DOWN
Mine Workers Executive Board sustains
Action Of President Mitchell,
ISSUES BETWEEN MINERS AND OPERATORS
Each side Demanded Large COnceS-
sions aud Employers Finally
OHered to sign the Old
Scale.

| AANOAANA1OlslSs MATCH lo.-Ine lnNeI-
| national executive board Of the United |
Mine Workers OF America at a meeting
held today, following the adjournment of
the national convention. approved the find
ing Of President Mitchell in the matter OF
ousting Patrick Dolan from the presidency
/ Of district No. 5, western Pennsylvania,
and the report Of the board tomorrow will
| confirm the ousting OF Dolan by the con-
vention Of district No. and the appoint
ment of three members of the executive
board TO take charge of the district affairs
until the office is filled by special election.
After a heated session lasting three
hours behind closed doors, i'm which
! Dolan's claims were argued by himself and
Uriah Belllngham, vice president Of the
district. who was also ousted from his
Office the board voted unanimously to sus-
tain the action Of the president and the
district convention.
sixteen Hundred Delegates Present.
The national convention opened at 10
O'Clock today in the German house. with
over 1000 delegates present representing
1,461 locals. The convention has been called
by President Mitchell to consider action
which may result I'm an agreement with the
coal operators that will prevent a general
strike on April /, that would bring $500
men from the mines. The conference with
the operators will begin here Monday
next.
At the regular convention, which as
sembled January 16, the miners had de-
manded an increase in wages of 12h per
cent. the admission Of the southwestern
states. a Z per cent differential between
machine and pick mining. a 121a per cent
advance for yardage ai,I deadwork pro-
hibition Of employment of boys under 16
years old, an eight hour day, a one year
contract and run-of-mine basis.
On Troublesome ResOIutiOn.
The miners also adopted a resolution Of
fered by Mr. Ryan of Illinois, that no
district should sign a wage agreement
until all the districts signed, This action.
known as the Ryan resolution will come
before the convention for action. Unless
, resclnded tie bituminous miners cannot
sign q wage agreement until the anthracite
miners sign an agreement with their
operators.
The operators on the other hand de-
manded a reduction of 20 to Is per cent.
, protection against stampede strikes and a
better system of adjudlcating local trou-
bles. on February q the joint conference
adjourned after the defeat OF motion
that the present wage scale he continued
4 This motion was offered by Mr. F. L. Rob-
bins of Pittsburg who was principal
spokesman for the operators, All 0f the
operators voted for the motion except
the Illinois operators. who did not vote
: and all the miners voted against the motion
, except Patrick Dolan. who as president
! ! OF the district voted the western Pennsyl-
vania miners for the motion. He has since
: been deposed from office. but has refused
: = to resign, His case probably will come
q before the convention.
8 Hope of Settlement.
y II was announced at the time the call
4 for the present convention was issued that
!. Mr.. Robbins and other operators had made
d an offer to restore the wage scale of two
d years ago, which would be an increase OF
- 5.55 per cent over the present scale Since
the publication OF that sher, operators
Of Indiana. Illinois, Ohio and other states
. interested have opposed the granting OF
: any increase whatever. It has been the
= understanding among miners oflcials that
the organization would accept the restor-
alton of the wage scale OF two years ago
y When the convention met today differ.
ences that have appeared 90 exist between
!, President Mitchell and Vice President
- Lewis were apparently laid aside and II
:, was the expressed wish of both Official.
that personal matters should not interfer,
with the more Important work OF the con.
-
- . vention in order that the miners might
| present a united front.
The first business of the convention wal
a the work OF organization and the work o.
- y the greater part OF the day was taker
" up with credentials Of the delegates.
l., President Mitchell Talks.
Informally opening the convention PresI
= dent Mitchell told of conversations witt
- Francis L. Robbins. president OF the Pitts
., burg Coal company, and other persons, Il
=, which the wage scale was discussed in al
is informal way. having from these converse
q tions derived some hope for settlement o
n the trouble. Aside from this hope he said
~ he was justified in calling the present con
,d vention by the receipt of the following
or letter:
n THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON
= Feb. "A. 1906.-Sir: l note with great con
III cern the failure in your late convention o
an basis of settlement OF the bituminou
q, mining scale OF wages. You, in this bus
n ness have enjoyed great industrial peac
rs for many years, thanks 20 the joint trad
agreement that has resulted from the &C
q tion of your successive conventions. !
- strike such as is threatened on April 1
p a menace 10 the peace the business inter
H. ests and the general welfare OF the country
! urge you to make another effort TO aver
such a calamity. You and Mr.. Robbins ar
joint chairmen of the trade agreement CON
n r ittee OF the National Civic Federation
Iional duty upon you both and gives an &C
=. ! ditonal reason why each OF you shOul
ie join in making this further effort
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
After touching on the responsibility OF III
delegates in the matter Of making terms
or calling a strike, Mr., Mitchell conclude
W. as follows
ir- AS to the power and scope of the conveT
"a / ton you have undoubtedly noted from n
= call which was issued by your internationi
Is secretary treasurer that, while the principi
he purpose OF the meeting is 70 consider ou
"a | wage agreements. its function is not cor
W fined 20 the one subject II may, In additiu
ce thereto, transact such other business Z
m / may be lawfully brought before Il.
In the consideration and discussion OF a
matters coming before the convention IL
as my earnest hope that acrimonious debat
NJ J would be entirely eliminated and that v
les shall stand united in an earnest effort
Nv serve our people and TO secure for them
In larger measure Of the fruits OF their toll
ng that when we leave Indianapolis our OrgaI
ge ization may have regained any prestige lO
as the result of the international dissensiC
.or and that even those on friendly terms
- labor may be satisfied that the Unite
no Mine Workers OF America Is a sane. jus
M business association whose highest purpOi
Ike is not 10 achieve victories by means OF 4
an great strength, but rather through the Il
herent justice that lies In the cause ~ rel