The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-10-14
AN OFFICIAL
DOCUMENT
Issued by President Lewis to the
Members of the United Mine
Workers of America.

TO the Members of the United Mine
Workers of America
Brothers and Fellow Workers -.
Much is being said about the discord
and discomfort within the ranks OF orr
organization. If those reports were real
~ true, you, us members of the United
Mine Workers, would have just cause for
alarm, because your interests collectively
are paramount and of more Importance
than the interests of any individual
If the motives of those men who are
circulating the reports of discord and dis
senSiOn within our ranks were sincere and
honest, there might be some justification
for their action.
According to the reports being circu-
lated, one would be fed to believe that
the United Mine Workers organization is
rapidly going to destruction. 1t is but
fair to you that you should have such
information as will enable you to de.
terminc this question to your own salts
faction.
l am herewith giving you information
taken from our records ut the National
Office. his information covers IL period of
SIX years and e YES the average number
of paid members for each of the eight
months during that period beginning
with the month of January and ending
with the month of August, as August is
the latest data have this year.
Year 1904, Gig hit months average paid
membership, Pol ,593.
Year 1905, eight months average paid
membership, 25s,244
Year 1906, eight months average paid
membership, 22l, jos.
Year 1907, eight months average paid
membership, 24S,2lS.
Year 1905, eight months average paid
membership, 243 GA.
Year 1909, eight months average paid
membership, 262, al.
Previous to my administration the high
est average paid membership from .TanrI-
airy to August for each month was in
1905, when it reached 23S.244. For the
eight months this year ending with -Au-
gust. the average paid membership is
262, "a. This shows that we have re
| ccivcd per capita tax an average of
1 .jO3 members more for each of the eight
months Of this year than for any other
year in the history of the organization
| 1t is a welnkown fact that industrial
| conditions this year and last were Il great
| deal worse than i'll the year 1908. when
| we had our - est paidup membership
previous to this year.
This information is given you in order
| that you analvze itfor yourselves
and pass judgment in the truthfulncss
of the reports that are being circulated
that discomfort and desscnsion is increas
ing in the organization
1t is but fair to you to call your atten
ton TO the fact that some of the same
men who attempted to discrcdt our work
last year are the leaders in circulating
reports this year which are calculated tc
arouse the feeling of dstrust or doubt
in your minds and to that extent iniur,
the organization.
We are expected 20 arrange wag,
| agreements next year. and my time viii
be taken up preparing for any issues that
| may present themselves when we ncrotiat,
our new agreements.
| Will have no time to answer nj Of tn,
things that may be said and circulated
You should demand from the fault finder!
of the organization the proof of wha
they say Any information YOU wisi
from this Office will be gladly furnished
| l invite and as k the most rigid investi