Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-06-23
COAL MEN ELECT OFFICERS
Pass Strong Resolutions for Demur.
rage Laws for States.
AGAINST RAISE IN RATES
Thomas L. Leyss Explains the Diff
cuitiss Now estiax Between the
Miners and The tOperators-
Hopes for Peace.

President-James Sharon, Fairbury. Neb.
Vice President--C. H. -Cruikshank, Hanni-
BAL Mo.
Director CKansas), w. F. Grosser, Salina
Director Qowa), w. H. Worth, Cedar
Falls.
Director (Minnesota). e. Q. Stone, Min
neapolis.
Election of the foregoing officers, and ad-
dress by Thomas l.. Lewis and the adop-
ton of resolutions, marked the last session
of the Northwestern Coal Dealers associ-
alton at the Rome Wednesday morning.
The resolutions are noteworthy, because
they demand a national reciprocal demur-
rage law, recommend state laws on the
same subject las step in the right direc-
ton" and protest vigorously against any
advance in transportation rates at this
time"
The election of officers was likewise unan-
imous. A nominating committee headed
by ]. F. Daubenberger of McGregor, Ia,
made a report and a motion prevailed that
the secretary cast a vote for the men
named. Friends of other candidates con-
cluded not to make fight. The secretary
treasurer of the association, H. L. Laird
of Minneapolis, will be unanimously re-
elected by the board of directors, who will
also choose the place of theJ J191 convention.
Convention delegates listened with rapt
attention to T. l.. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers of America.
Lewis Explains Situation.
Before the convention began proceedings
Mr.. Lewis had made statement regard
| ing troubles between miners and operators
| in several parts of the country. He said
| I'm Colorado there is practically no
change. An unsuccessful effort has been
made to operate the mines in the north
ern field. l am hopeful of being able to
arrange a conference of coal operators and
miners and l am satisfied an understanding
can be reached which will be reasonably
satisfactory to all parties interested.
| with reference to the situation in the
southwest, a conference was held in Kan
sas City last week and 1t was finally de-
| cided that President James Elliot of the
| Southwest Interstate Coal Operators asso-
clation and myself should act as a COM
mittee to prepare a proposition to present
! to representatives of the operators and
representatives of the miners in separate
conventions and then in joint convention.
am hopeful that 10000 men Will be back
at work by July l."
| Mr.. Lewis did not say so exactly, but II
is plain that he regards the Illinois stua-
uOn as iilole bldNS imam Al SOiOloo oAAe
in the southwest.
I'm Illinois," said he, there are about
5000 men idle. The situation is compl
Gated by the positive positions taken by
both the leaders of the miners and thu
operators, and no disposition on either sid
TO 20 to the other and arrange conferenc,
to settle their differences. We have takeI
the matter up with representatives of tn
operators and of the mine workers for th
purpose of arranging a conference. l an
not in a position to express an opinion il
, regard 10 the outcome, but am hopeful
win be able to bring about a settlement Il
the near future"
In his address TO the convention, MI
! Lewis analysed the coal industry as con
: tanning five elements, miners. operators
: railroads, dealers and consumers. He the
D discussed the raising Of the coal industr
, standards from the standpoint of each ele
ment. Regarding the miners, he said:
I'VE shall never be satisfied until wage
are such that boys and children will nc
4 have to go into bowels OF the earth TO hel
n support families, and until hours of labo
1 are at that minimum necessary TO min
all the coal needed for the worlds uses.
a Mr.. Lewis left Omaha for Kansas Cit
o in the afternoon. The convention adjourne
at noon.