The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-11
MINERS IN SESSION
ALABAMA DISTRICT CONVENTION
 ELECTS OFFICERS.
Sam Biddington Is Named as Chairman Of Committee On Scale Of Wages-NO Trouble Is
 Anticipated.

Birmingham, June 10-(SpeciaL)- The tenth annual convention of Ala bama District No. 20, United Mine Workers of America, began here this morning in Gelders' Hall, with nearly one hundred representatives here from various parts of the mining district.
 J. R. Kenramer, president, is in the executive chair, with J. l.. Clemo. secretary-treasurer. at the desk. A stenographer is taking down the pro- ceedings.
 The usual number of negroes is present and they appear to be inter ested as much as ever In the proceed f1cers were submitted at the morning session. The appointment of the com mittees. including the wage scale com mittee, the most important of all, was announced by the president.
 The election of officers was the first business taken up this afternoon. W. R. Farley. of Pratt City, was re-elect- ed Alabama member of the national executive board with opposition, J. R. Kennamer was chosen president of the district organization again without opposition. J. L. Clemo had no oppo- sition for secretary B. l.. Greer, a negro was reelected vice president. defeating an opponent by a large majority.
 Sam Biddington, of Hargrove, heads the scale committee, which is the most important committee named at the first session. This committee will report to the convention and after its adoption the same will be presented to a joint meeting of operators and miners Mon day next There is no apprehension of any differences between the miners and the operators who employ union labor and the same contract in effect at present it is believed will be renewed
 The report of Secretary-Treasurer CIemo showed a balance in hand April 30, to be $17,745.5S. The income dur ing the year was $141,5S4.52 and expen- ditures were s154,64o.SS. The cost of the strike, from July 25, 1904 until called off on August 20, 1906. was $1, 046, 6,4O5.26. The membership is given now at 3.960 In 1904 the membership was 11.487. The difference Is account ed for in the fact that since the strike the locals which were out on strike have not yet been reinstated, none of the members having paid any dues on account of the long idleness. The re- ports of the president and vice presi- dent showed bright prospects for the organization and encouragement was given to the members to keep up the organization and to strive to carry out the principles.
 w R. Farley, chairman of the leg islative committee. reported verbally that the committee had reached an agreement with the mine operators for the passage by the Legislature of forty-seven of the clauses for which they contended. Twenty-seven clauses of the proposed bill, he said, would not be adopted except over the stren- uous objection of the operators. He stated that the mechanics lien law, guaranteeng that laborers shall receive the first award in the event of mine becoming insolvent. had been agreed upon. This law he said. while appli- cable already to mechanics and other forms of laboring people. had been de- nied the mine operators. He compli- mented the convention upon the likeli- hood of its passage at the next session of the Legislature.
 MT Farley also stated that the operators had agreed upon the appoint ment of a chief mine insepctor with three assistants. instead of two, IS at present. This bill, he said, would go far towards protecting the lives of men while at work