The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-29
One of Convention Delegates Criicises Organization
 Most Severely
ELECTION OF LEWIS IS
 CLAIMED BY FRIENDS
Convention Proceeds Slowly, With Many Lively Disputes-Walker Party Claims Vote In Some
 Places Is Irregular.

Indianapolis, January 2S.-Criticising the political trend of the convention of the United Mine Workers of America, James Mooney of Missouri, a member of the na- tional executive board of the organization, in a speech today opposing a resolution protesting to Congress against repeal of the tariff on coal, said:
 "'The other day you committed this con- vention to populism when you recom- mended the issue of currency instead of bonds for payment of the expenses of deepening waterways. Now, you have committed it to socialism by adopting a resolution declaring for public ownership of public utilities. If you protest against the removal of the duty on coal you eom- init us to republicanism, and if this hap pen l shall introduce something that shall commit you to Bryanism."
 The tariff resolution was intended as a measure of local protection of miners of the northwest and several of their representatives spoke for it. Many other speeches were made against the conven- ton taking any action in the matter of tariff revision.
 Dispute Over Explosive.
 In the afternoon session dispute arose in the course of the discussion of the use of a new high-power explosive called carbonite or mauserite, in the coal mines. rgesident Feehsn of the Pittsburg dts trict charged that he had been ignored by the national board when he had asked to be notified of its next meeting so that he might present the danger of the use of the new explosive It was intimated that the question was an acute one and that strikes might result if an early solution of the problem were not arrived at. Ma tional President Lewis maintained that MT. Feehan had had notice of the meet ing of the board, and that N would have considered the matter had it been pre- sented.
 John Walker of Illinois, MT. Lewis rival to the election for the presidency, charged that 'the same party had averted con sideration by the national board of many serious matters within the last year, but he thought that from this time for ward there would be reform in proce- dure.'
 The resolution to protest against the re- neal of the tariff on coal was defeated.
 resolution was adopted advocating womans suffrage and calling upon Con- gress to pass an amendment to the con- stitution ito me submitted to the leg1s- iatures of the several states for ratifica- tion. prohibiting the disfranchisement of United States citizens on account of sex
 Resolution Lost.
 Efforts to amend a resolution recom- mending state boards of examination and registration of miners, so that only miners actually working "in the pit should be eligible as examiners, thus precluding ap- pointment of mine superintendents or others that might be influenced to the ad- vantage of owners in case of strikes, failed, though President Lewis and John Walker both spoke in favor of such a qualification.
 It seems probable that the convention will continue until the latter part of next week. Though the tellers of the ballots cast for national officers are using six voting machines in tabulating, 1t is not expected that they can announce the re- sult of the count before Saturday. A abatement said by President Lewis friends to be authorjtative, was given out that the count had proceeded far enough to show that Lewis majority over his opponent. John Walker, would be from l5,- GOO to 10000.
  with a view of contesting the election on charges of irregularity in the polling in some districts last December. MT. Wal kers friends generally acknowledge that on its face the result of the ballot count ing will show majority for Lewis
 PeIa for Russian Refugees.
 The convention at the opening of the session today adopted resolution on behalf of Christian Rudowitz and Jan Pouren, Russian refugees in this country, whose cases have been considered lately by the state department.
 The miners demand the release of Rudo- witz and Pouren, whose imprisonment is ''un-American because political refugees of all other countries cast their eyes upon this as an asylum for the op- pressed"
 The resolution further demands the ab- rogation of the treaty which provides for the extradition of persons charged with offenses against nation where persons so charged are not to be tried by jury of their peers."
 This resolution is intended also to ap- ply to Mexican refugees fleeing across the Rio Grande
 New Party Fails.
 Another effort made this morning to nut the convention on record as favorinp the institution of an independent labor party failed. This and similar meas ures come from unions that are not so- calistic in their views, but nevertheless feel that as neither of the old parties will take action on the part of the laboring class as against the capitalistc class, there should be organized new party for this purpose.
 The socialists, of which there are about 300 in the convention, oppose this policy as antagonistc to their already estab- lished party, but the overpowering influ- ence against the new party has been ex- ercised by the conservatives, led by such men as Congressman w. B. Wilson of *Pennsylvania, who expressed the opinion