The Hartford republican., 1909-03-12
men With The
PICK and Shovel
Union Miners From all Over
Western Kentucky.
Meet at Owensboro Warm Contest
For Presidency Henderson
Man Has Lead.

Owensboro, KY, March 9.-Six;y-
five delegates from the various unions
in district No. 20 of 6he United
Mine Workers Of America, are
in annual session at Dawson's hall
and will probably remain in Owensboro
all week. There are a number OF very
important matters to come before ilhe
meeting and all will be 1hre5hed out
before adjournment.
the session was called to order
promptly this morning by President
w. o. Smith, of Central City, with
Mr.. c. M. Carter, of DeKoven, the
regular secretary in mis- place j p.
Main, of Render, vice president OF
the district, was also present, as
were the tellers with the popular
vote of the district In fheir charge.
The greater portion of tine morning
session was consumed in preliminary
matters. Little trouble arose over tne
credentials of tine delegates and the
report of the Credentials committee
was readily adopted. The program
committee recommended that She ses-
sions be called for 9 O'Clock each day,
continued until IL o'clock, begin again
at 1:30 and continue until 5. TO ex-
pedite matters 1t was suggested that
no person be allowed to speak more
than once on the same subject, and a
roll call be had only at uhe request OF
at least 20 delegates. The recommen-
dadions were unanimously adopted.
Following the official steps of oTlgani-
zation the officers of tine district made
their annual reports. which were ex-
cellent ones and were enthusiastically
received.
1t did not take long for the smould-
ering contest of the session to break
forth This feature. which promises
to bring some real excitement, is the
three-conered fight for tine presi-
dency. Robert Roll, of Henderson, A.
]. Doss. of Central City, and Richard
Baker of Taylor Mines, OHIO county,
are the contestants.
According to the constitution of tine
mine workers a popular vo;e for tine
presidency of tine district was taken
before the present meeting began and
although tine tellers have not yet re-
ported some of the delegates know
how the vote stands. Out of about
5000 ballots cast, Robert Roll has
lead of 100 votes over A. J. Doss,
while Baker is third.
1t is law of the miners organiza-
tion that a candidate for president
must receive a majority OF all the
votes cast before he can be declared
elected. Therefore, Roll Is not elect
ed. There is faction In nhe meet
ing which wants to go immediately
into tine election of a president
by a delegate vote and another side
which wants to delay the proceedings.
Mr.. Baker, one of tine candidates, mas
not even gotten to this city and Is
supposed TO be water bound. There
fore, out of consideration for MIN tine
election will probably be postponed TO
a time.
The afternoon session was devoted
to continuance of the organization
steps and consideration of tine manner
of electing a president. There is ex-
pected to be a warm contest In ohe
meeting for the presidency but all
parties are wiling to abide by the
voice OF the majority. Tine friends
Of Mr.. Doss will try to get Mr.. Baker
to Withdrew In the nope that the
Baker strength will go to MIR. Doss.