The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-19
PRESIDENT LEWIS TAXES FIRM ST AND
Miners Convention VIII Not Be
 Like Last Years
CONTEST ON CRtDEN TlALS
Lewis Rules Two Factional Leaders Out of Order But Prohibition on Smoking Fails To Re-
 ceive Majority.

Indianapolis, January 1S-"There will be no repetition of the disgraceful scenes of the miners convention of last year if l can get the cooperation of the conven- tion,'' declared President Thomas L. Lew is of the United Mine Workers of Amer ica at the close of today's session of the organization. Frank J. Hayes of H. linois and William Greene of Ohio he ruled out of order They were the lead CTS of the faction opposed to the Lewis administration and who had objected to national organizers being seated as dele gates if their services are paid for dur= ing the convention.
 President Lewis ruled that the conven- ton was not yet organized. Hayes and Greene insisted that if the report of the creGentials committee, just read, was adopted. insofar as it seated delegates against whom no protest was entertained, the action would be final, but Lewis drowned the voices with his gavel and put down storm of objections from all over the hall
 The controversy will arise in the con- vention again tomorrow.
 Greene was a candidate against Lewis for the presidency, but it is conceded he has been beaten, though the report of the committee of tellers of the balloting has not yet been completed. Hayes probably has been successful for the vice presidency against the present incumbent, E. & Mccullough.
 In ordering Greene and Hayes to take 
 We are representing the men at home. We have only Il days to transact this business here if we are to meet the opera tors in joint session at Toledo Fehru- ary 1. Our wage contracts in the bitumin- ous fields expire April l. It is im- portant that we conduct our business here expedieiously and as intelligent men,
 Hayes objected to being put in the light of an obstructionist by Lewis. A mo- tion to adjourn brought the first clash of the convention to a close.
 For 21 years the business of the annual conventions of the national organization of coal miners has proceeded in a haze of tobacco smoke, and for 21 years cer- tain reformers unnecessarily have pro- tested against smoking in the convention hall The usual motion to prohibit smok- ing was made this afternoon, and the move as usual was laughed down.
 q don't smoke myself said President Lewis, ''but have no objection to others smoking.''
 This sentiment was approved with ap- plause. The miners pipe. it is apparent, in the convention is as characteristic as his peculiarly crouching pose, his roll ing gait and his broad muscular hands. An hour after the opening of the ses- sion of the convention a pail of smoke burned through by the arc lamps hangs over the delegates heads.
 The credentials committee is expected to bring it's long report to an end tomor- | row and then the necessary committees 1 vii be announced, and the reports of the officers will be submitted. The conven- ton will then settle down to its routine. i Gov. Thomas R. Marshall of Indiana ] and Mayor Samuel Lewis Shank and oth- CT citizens of Indianapolis welcomed the l 15oO delegates in speeches this morning.