The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-03-03

There has been n great deal said by a
few individuals about the organizing of
West Virginia for the purpose of pre-
venting the increased DEVELOPMENT of the
coal lands of this State, which is>false
and misleading. If I understand any
thing about the principles of the United
Mine Workers organization, and what it
desires to do, is not to do any one an
injustice, but to organize the miners of
this country for their own protection.
and not to do any one connected with the
coal business an injustice, but to get the
operators to meet them in Joint con-
rentlon, and sign joint contract, which
will put them on competitive basis
with other oprators, by bringing all the
competitive interests into joint conven-
ton, it can establish wages and condi-
lions of employment, as nearly uniform
as is possible under the varying condi-
lions of the different coal fields and the
markets in which the coal is sold Thus
by placing all the operators on an eouit-
able basis, where if one secured any ad-
vantage over his competitor, it would be
due to his superior ability and not to any
advantage he might obtain at the ex-
pense of his employees
We know that the wages paid to mine
workers are not as high, and the condi-
tions of employment are not as good as
they should be, considering the danger
GUS occupation of our people. West Vir-
ginia operators are entitled to thir share
of the general market and am sure that
the United Mine Workers of this district
would not be party to any movement
that would place the operators of West
Virginia at a disadvantage so far as sup
plying their share of the demand of coal
used IN the general markets of the coun-
try. By meeting the miners and signing
Il joint contract for certain period of
time, it would give stability to the coal
trade. 1t would bring the operators and
miners to closer association with each
other and be the means of establishing
more friendly relations between them
There are many reasons that could be
given why the joint method of adjusting
wages and conditions should be adopted
and the joint contract system of adjust
ing wages and conditions of employment
become permanent institution, the same
as prevails in practically all the coal pro-
ducing States of this country.
CONSTITUTION.
desire to call your attention to the
Importance of this convention carefully
considering every section of our Consti-
tuition before it is made a law for the
coming year by the action of this con-
vention. 1t has been conceded that the
authority of interpreting the Constitu.
ton is always in the hands of the Dis.
trict President, and from experience, /
desire to say, that the President is at
times compelled to interpret sections of
the Constitution which at times does not
receive the approval of number of our
members, and because it does ont meet
with their approval, personal attacks are
made upon him.
desire to say now, that my inter
probation of our District Constitution has
been made just I believed it to have
been the intention of the convention
when adopting such articles or sections
as our Constitution contains. 1 have
been called upon just recently by some of
our local unions requesting that their 10.