The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-01-27

L
IS deemed advisable to have the bureau
as separate department of the govern
ment.
a resolution introduced at Monday
morning 8 session is regarded as being of
inuch Importance. 1t takes up the mat
ter OF demand for an increase in wages
ana was introduced by the president of
the organization, t. l.. Lewis. 1t was
read just before noon adjourn nment, and
VIII be referred to the proper committee.
The resolution sets forth that I'VE de-
Inand an increase in wages in each and
every mining district in the country !.
that all districts are authorized and in
structed to negotiate wage agreements,
but no district shall sign a contract until
all wage contracts are negotiated, and
that all mines shall continue working
after the first of April and continue
working until wage contracts are finally
negotiated, provided the present rates
continue until final action is TAKEN. -
John Mitchell arrived at the hall dur
ing the discussion as to Morgan ,s stand.
ing, and was greeted with great burst
OF applause that showed the high stand
ing ne retains among the members of the
united Mine Workers.
Mr.. Mitchell was presented by Presi.
dent Lewis, who said no introduction
was necessary.
MI. Mitchell was greeted with shouts
and hand clapping. He said he desired
to express his appreciation tor the greet
ing and many kindly messages that had
been sent to him by members and officials
OF the organization.
Alter taking up the matter OF the con-
tempt case against him, Samuel Gompers
ana Frank Morrison, Mr.. Mitchell took
up the question of industrial accidents
lie explained his appointment to a New
York commission to investigate into the
matter. The responsibility of a large
number of accidents can be traced to no
one, he said. Service on the commission
mas given him opportunity, he said, to in
vestlgate thoroughly the matter.
Lie said the miners might be interested
IN knowing more men are killed in non
union than in union mines AS the union
increases its strength the number of fatal
and non fatal accidents steadily declines.
Nearly four times as many men are kill
ed in the nonunion as in the union mines,
he said.
During the last t,7r .r,ars tie increase
IN tho mining population had been large
ly through the Importation of men from
the farms of southern Europe. The
European farm laborer coming to the
United States becomes the mine worker
The great fatality in the mining industry
can be attributed too largely to the fact
that America is drawing too heavily from
unskilled foreigners
These men, he said, take place to
mine coal the same as man who has
had years of training. lie advised that
mining be made skilled trade. He
pointed out that in order to enter a me-
chanical trade it was necessary to pass
an apprenticeship, and he advised that
something be done SO that every "Tom,
Dick and Harry would not have the
right to come in and take a job
He then took up the letter in the re-
port of President Lewis, that had been
sent to the latter by the National Civic
Federation, inviting President Lewis to
join the federation, and the reply of
President Lewis declining the invitation.
MI. VultcHell explained MS own cOnnec-
ton with the federation.
John Hays Hammond, he explained, in
his desire to build up the federation, had
written to numerous persons, requesting
them to send in list of names of per
sons eligible to join.
Senator Beveridge, he explained, had
sent in the name of President Lewis,
which, he added, was u very natural
thing to do.
He said he did not doubt that the
preston of President Lewis in refusing
to join the federation was honest
view, but that President Lewis was not
in position to know as to the efficiency
of the federation. He pointed out that
the failure or success of organizations
could not be judged by their failures
alone.
The National Civic Federation is not
to be judged any more by its failures
than any other organization, he said, and
he added that the federation had tried
unsuecessfully to adjust the differences
between the steel corporation and it's en-
ployeS, but that it's lack of success was
due to futile effort instead of no effort.
He then called attention to some things
that had been done for labor by the fed