Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-16
JOHN MITCHELL TO MINERS
President Of Union Tells Of Work Of
the Organization.
LESS TROUBLE NOW THAN ANY OTHER TIME
Membership shows Decrease, but
Head of the Union Finds Things
Generally satisfactory
I'm All Districts.

| INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 15.-The eight |
zenith annual convention of the United |
| Mine Workers of America opened here to- !
day with 500 delegates from the bituminous
districts OF the country and twenty-five
delegates from the districts of the anthra-
! cite field.
The decreased attendance at this conven-
ton is due to the fact that no wage scale
| is to be discussed, as an agreement for
| three years was signed in 1906 between the
miners and the operators.
The strike in Kentucky is the only serious
trouble that is now engaging the attention
of the officers of the miners The affairs
of the organization are in a duieter state
than for years The most importan. sub
! ject will be the recommendation of Presi-
dent John Mitchell that the interstate
| agreement be re-estabnshed and that over
| lures be made to the operators with this
| object.
The convention was called to order by
President Mitchell and representatives of
the state and local labor organizations well
coined the delegates Responses were made
by President Mitchell and other officers and
the work of verifying the credentials of the
delegates began.
1t dey eloped that about one-half Of the
unions had failed to pay the extra strike
assessment of so cents per week levied by
the last national convention. Representa-
tives of unions that had paid this assess
ment were seated and the others were given
a hearing before the credentials committee.
This afternoon, pending tSe report OF
| the action of the credentials committee,
the reports of officers were. heard Presi-
| dent Mitchell delivered his annual ad-
dress
President MitcheIPs Address.
In his annual address President John
Mitchell said the last year had been
most eventful, with it's suspension of
work to enforce the restoration of the
wage scale of 1903, and he believed
the policy adopted had been for the
best. While the membership showed de-
crease of $3.50 on the records. on account
of exoneration from dues of many MEM
bers who had been on strike, there had in
reality been an increase.
The anthracite field showed a decrease
of 80 200 members, and the president in
sisted on increased activity in organiza-
ton. Unless otherwise instructed, he said,
he would put a number of organizers in
that field For the first time in years the
organization was practically free from
strikes. Less money was being expended
by unic- for idle men than at any previous
time.
The address urged the re-establishment
of the interstate conference and recon-
mended that the executive committee ne
gotiate with the operators of the central
competitive field during the present year
for an Interstate meeting prior to April l.
1903.
Machines and Accidents.
To show the Importance of machine min
ing the address stated that last year II
per cent Of the bituminous production was
increasing number of casualties in mines.
Legislation was asked for providing for an
examination of persons permitted to be en-
ployed in mines. a h..
Speaking of the apathy In the anthracite
field which has reduced the membership so
materially, the address said:
This Indifference on the part OF the
miners cannot be attributed to failure on
the part of the organization to secure i'm
provements for them; their wages have
been advanced to a considerable extent,
their hours of work have been reduced,
the conditions of life and labor have been
great ameliorated. and in addition thereto
a relation has been established between
them and their employers that was incon-
ceivable even to the most optimistic few
years ago"
The strike OF last year with the preceding
conferences with the operators and the sue
. ceedlng restoration of the advance in wages
demanded was reviewed by Mr.. Mitchell,
and speaking of the effect of the action
taken by the miners in their last national
convention which permitted signing a scale
, by districts and locally, the address said:
Taking a retrospective view of the whole
, struggle in the anthracite and bitumnous
! fields from its inception to its close | am
constrained to the belief that all things
a considered, the wisest policy was pursued
and the best results obtained that could be
secured under the circumstances. l am, of
course, not unmindful of the fact that there
were many disappointments that in some
sections members were forced to yield con-
ditions which they regarded as essential to
their welfare in order that the interests
of the whole number might be preserved
( and promoted. When It is considered, how
ever that more than 10000 employees were
involved representing a population of APP
Iroxin,ately 100000 directly dependent
. upon them and that we entered the contest
with only 100000 in our treasury, | feel
that we can well forget our vexations con-
graduate ourselves on our successes, join
= in a renewed effort 10 regain our COMPARE
e the organization must maintain a national
I lively small losses and struggle on with
: untiring zeal for larger and still larger
/. share of the wealth that we produce.
= Lewis DepIOres Innovation.
Vice President T. L. Lewis in his report
deplored the action of the last national con-
vention of miners in adopting the policy
of permitting the signing of a wage scale
!. by districts and locally He insisted that
character and claimed that result OF
the action of last year the membership of
the organization has decreased $1,000 The
: report said:
o In the early part of the summer there
+ existed among our members a widespread
l., feeling of discomfort. So great was this
D. dissatisfaction that IL materially interfered
d with the progress of the organization /
h have sent thousands of letters to different
n localities for the purpose of restoring con-
+ fidence among our members. l have also
e attended numerous local unions and mass
: meetings for the same purpose
n while there has been a large loss in
membership during the last year. there has
been a steady increase In the last several