The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-01-20
PROPOSED MINERS MERGER
is fAYORfD BY CONVENTION
Unified and Progressive Organization
Of Coal and Metal Workers Meet
With Approval-PreoiS>:,;
Lewis Reports.

Indianapolis, Jan. 20.-The unified
and aggressive organization of the
metal and coal miners of North Amer
lea Is the design of the leaders of the
Western Federation of Miners and
United Mine Workers. presented 10
the convention of mine workers today.
The proposed merger was unanimously
approved by the convention
Lewis Submits Report.
Indianapolis, Jan. 20--"The appll-
cation of common sense should be the
basis of the new method of promoting
Industrial peace in the mining regions"
according to the annual report of
President Thomas L. Lewis. of the
United Mine Workers of America, at
the convention OF the miners organ
ization.
With this as keynote. the report
continued, Mr. Lewis saying: "The
strike as q method of organizing has
not proven a success. The enormous
expenditure of funds and the tre-
mendous waste of energy incident to
Industrial strife should be avoided.
our right to strike can never be sur
rendered but it should be the very
last resource and every other means
exhausted before a suspension of work
is ordered or take place"
Mr.. Lewis declared that the wage
agreement now i'm effect in the an
thracite region does not provide a
proper standard of wages. and is not
what the mine workers desire. And
i'm regard to the present agreement,
he said: when the industrial con-
ditions i'm the anthracite region and
the entire country at that time are
carefully considered. the representa-
tives of the United Mine Workers
were fortunate in being able to con-
vince the anthracite operators to grant
concessions in order to negotiate and
sign. q contract. The most gratify-
ing feature of the situation in the
anthracite district at present is the
disposition of the mine managers and
their employees to settle disputes To-
cally."
on the legislative features of min
ing interests, President Lewis spoke
strongly i'm favor of a law to elimin-
ate the Injunction evil in labor dis
putes. and for the enactment of
general employers liability law. and
recommended the legalization of labor
unions.
on the wage contract feature OF the
workers activity. President Lewis
spoke in favor of the joint confer
cnce method of negotiating wage con-
tracts. which he said has done much
TO establish peace in the mining In
dustry. on the termination of con-
tracts. he said: "You are aware that
our wage agreements in nearly every
hittiminous district of the country ter
inmate on March 81 of this year. Let
me make it clear that there will be no
reduction in wages, and as many i'm
provements in the agreement as can
be secured"
In conclusion. he said: "Since have
had the honor of being your presi-
dent. I have honestly. earnestly and
faithfully performed the duties re-
ouired of me. II is To be regretted
but II is true. that few members OF
the United Mine Workers and men In
o0icial positions have lost no oppor-
,unitv In their attempt to discredit my
work. shall always do my duty fear
lessly as | understand 1t. and have a
right to expect the support of others
as long as ] assume the response
bility."