The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1908-03-13
Miners TO RESIST
wage REDUCTION
So Declares Head of District
No. %.
President Smith Asks for More
Stringent Safety LawS--20
Killed Last Year.

Louisville Ky. March 10.-More than
eighty delegates of District 23,of the
United Mine Workers of America,
gathered in annual convention in the
Council chamber of the City Hall yes
terday morning and with the election
of officers of the Executive Board, the
district members of the National Board
and the reading of the reports of the
various officers for the past year con-
sumed almost the entire first day of
their four days session.
Although there is a Wage Scale
Committee no action will be taken by
them until after the national conven-
ton in indianapolis, and they will make
no report back to the meeting now in
session. According to President w. O..
Smith, who was reelected yesterday
without opposition at yesterdays ses-
sion, was almost of an entirely routine
nature, and,save for the three-cornered
fight for the election of the National
Board delegates, aroused but little
interest.
The report of the President showed
that there has been a great growth
in membership during the past year, a
total of nearly 1000 miners having beer
added to the associations roster. About
1900 of these however, are out on
strike, but Mr.. Smith said that he ex-
poets the organization to include every
miner in the State within the next
twelve months.
President Smith also brought out Inf
his address the necessity for more
stringent mining laws, which will mini
mize the number of accidents and work
toward a reduction of the casualties.
More than twenty miners were killed
in the coal mines OF Western Kentucky
during the last year.
No announcement of the names of
the new members of the Executive
Committee could be gotten last night,
but in the fight for the National Board
member Kit Darnaby and w. J. Camp
bell were defeated by George Baker.
The election brought out a warm
contest, as the position is one which
besides being considered a high honor,
carries a good salary. Barnaby, who
was the former member made a strong
race, but was defeated after the third
ballot. Besides President Smith, j. T.
Main was reelected Vice President
and C. M. Carter was again elected
Secretary and Treasurer.
In speaking of existing conditions in
mining circles and the prospects of a
strike, President Smith said last night
that he does not believe a strike will
be called at the National Convention
unless the operators attempt to force
the miners to accept a wage reduction.
81 do not think a reduction would
be fair" said Mr. Smith, land | do
not believe the operators will ask 1t,
although rumors to that effect have
been circulated for some time. l thin
they are playing for time to see what
will develop In financial circles"
Mr.. Smith said, however that a
friendly shutdown may be agreed on
for short while, although he says
that the mines are not as oversup-
piled as they have been reported to
be.
II strike is decided on by the ma
tional body, it will have the effect of
throwing 100000 laborers out of work
and will boost the price of coal to
more than double its present price,
although the lightness of the demand
may tend to reduce the increase.
President Smith said yesterday that
1t is possible that limited strike may
be called, in which case only certain
sections of the coal-producing country
will be involved and fewer men will
be thrown out of positions.
1t Is thought that an amicabae set
Element will be reached between the
Kentucky operators and miners.