The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-04-04
MINES And MINING.
Notes by Edwin Perry, Iowa Sec'y.
United Mine Workers.

journed on March 18th This conven-
ton was noted for harmony and good
will. Very few changes were made
Ito our Constitution. Art. G was
amended by adding new section, In
| tended to strengthen and afford great
| er protection to our organization I'm
der our amended Constitution half
members will receive same amount
of benefits as full members. The
clause governing check weighmen
amended requiring all check weigh
men to be members at least six
months preceding their election. The
Executive Board after adjournment
of our convention, was in session two
days adjusting local disputes, many
of which could have been adjusted To-
cally, if the proper effort had been
put forth by all parties at interest.
Hereafter during the sessions of our
conventions, or Joint Scale Conven-
lions, we would appreciate it as a per-
sonal favor IL all our local unions
would submit all questions of dispute
by letter. and allow the President to
exercise his own discretion, when and
how the same should be adjusted,
taking into consideration the conven-
fence and time at his disposal The
frequency with which local officers
and delegations press their claims
during these extraordinary busy
times, incident to holding conven-
tions, has assumed such proportions,
that life becomes almost burden to
your officers, and often the most vital
interests of the organization are neg
fa1 In
definite time at least. Your officers
have no desire to evade or shirk any
responsibility, but being human, like
all men, our physical nature will only
stand certain amount of strain, and
it is to be hoped that in the future
this timely advice will be received
in the same spirit that prompts us to
mention the same, in the hope that
all local officers will cooperate with
us along the lines suggested. The
local unions have been very fortunate
of late in the selection of their local
officers. However, there are a few
locals that up to the present have
neglected to bond the Secretaries and
Treasurers. The number of COM
panies carrying these risks are only
limited. One large bonding company
in particular, refuses to carry any
longer such risks, and hence the ne
cessity of electing men of unquestion-
able character to fill these response
BILE Offices. Hereafter all important
decisions rendered by our organiza-
ton will be mailed monthly to all our
local unions. Andrew Swanson, High
land Park, Des Moines, Iowa, was
elected Sub-District No. 3 Board
Member, and David James, Colfax,
Auditor.
Monday, April first, is holiday in
the district, in celebration of the
eight hour law. The mines of Iowa
will be idle for this day. Celebrations
will be held in a number of the camps
and in places elaborate programs
have been prepared. Speakers have
been in demand and were hard to pro-
cure for the occasion. President
John P. White goes to Lehigh to
speak at the big celebration, Edwin
Perry speaks at Dean in Appanoose
county, at which place a new hall
will be dedicated with considerable
| formality. Vice President w. w.
White is engaged for the celebration
at Carbonate, and Joseph Sharpe,
the national board member, was Sc
cured by Foster.
A break down occurred Wednesday
at the Durfee mine and the men are
thus thrown out of employment Re
pairs cannot be completed before
about Tuesday next. About one nun.
dred men are employed at this mine.
=
w. C. Sharp of this city has re-
signed his position as a member of
the auditing board, and goes to Gran
vile, Illinois, within short time
where he will engage in business for
himself Mr.. Sharp has been faith
full member of the board having
served through four years in the of
flee. Many friends will regret that
the gentleman is to remove from the
city. The appointment of a successor
to fill the vacancy will be made in
due time by President White subject
to the ratification of the board.
Andrew Swanson, member Of the
board elect, was quite badly injured
in the Marquisville mine at Des
Moines, He was caught between the
side of an entry and a loaded car
which jumped the track and went
against him. He was badly squeezed
and was disabled for time. He i;
Improving rapidly now and will be
about again in short time.
The proposition for a Miners
Home and a Hospital is meeting with
favor in all parts of the district. The
institutions will be the more appre
ciated as they are better understood
The committee appointed to exam
inc into the adyisability, the probable
cost, ETC., of establishing a home TO-
the Iowa Mine Workers will meet fol
Organization at the general Offices II
0skaloosa next Thursday at tive
O'Clock p. m, and the preliminar!
plans for its work OF Investigation
Twill be laid. The committee consists