The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-01-20
NINE WORKERS FALL
OFF MEMBERSHIP! Der!
Some Interesting Facts il
Secretary Treasurer {
Green's Report.

4 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Jan. 2o.-A
declaration against military prepared
ness as promoting tendency toward
war and recommendation that the
United Mine Workers of America go
on record as opposed to the national
administration plans In this regard,
were contained in the annual report
which William Green, secretary-treas-
urer OF the union, presented To the
convention Of the organization mere
last night.
This preparedness program, this
warlike policy, is directly opposed to
the traditions OF our nation and the
high ideals OF our form OF govern
ment," said the report. "a large
standing army is menace not only
to the peace and safety Of the Amer
lean people but of the entire world
as well. The laboring people OF our
nation are against militarism, and
war. This convention, representing
such a large number of people, en-
gagged in such an important occupa'
ton as coal mining, ought to give ex-
preston to its attitude toward this
so.called preparedness program"
The report showed a decrease in the
average paid up membership OF the
union for the fiscal year ending Dec.
1, 1915, but added that the figures
wore gratifying" in view of the con.
ditIons of unemployment which con-
fronted many of the locals. The eff
feet of the Ohio and Colorado strikes
was dwelt on in connection with the
membership and financial figures.
The report said in part:
During part Of 1914 and all OF 1915
the United Mine Workers of Ameri-
ca, in common with all other labor
organizations, felt the blighting infu-
ence OF an Industrial depression.
Many mines were idle for long pc
RODS and thousands OF men were
thrown out of employment. The
monthly reports Of local union Off
GERS show that these conditions we-e
nation wide.
ut is but natural that this state OF
affairs would be manifest in the num-
erlcal standing of our organization.
Our laws provide that members who
are idle during an entire month or
more are exonerated from payment OF
the pc: capita tax and assessments.
Our fiuctuating paid-up membership
with the large number exonerated
each month tells the story.
Notwithstanding all this the paid
up membership has been maintained
at comparatively high figure. The
average paid up membership for the
fiscal year ending Nov. 80, 1914, was
333,333 and for 1915 1t was BLISS.
Between 81, 900 and 10000 more mem
bers were exonerated each month dur
ing 1914 and 1915 than during 1913.
1t is no surprise that we did not In
crease our membership, but rather
that we maintained our numerical and
financial strength as well as we
have"
OF the Colorado strike, the report
said:
I'VE are still spending large sums
in Colorado in the way OF attorney
fees, court costs and incidental ex-
penses caused by the prosecution OF
number of members of our organs
cation who have been charged with
the commission of various crimes in
connection with that bitter contest.
Judged from the standpoint Of Inn
mediate results, the strike in Colora-
do may not be regarded as a complete
success; however the moral effect re-
sulting from 1t is bound to produce
good results. If the sacrifices made
will bring more freedom to the work
ers Of Colorado. then all that has been
done will not have been in vain"
The Ohio 1914 strike was called a
complete success" in the report and
the union was congratulated on the
results achieved, especially the abolt'
ton Of screen mining.
The drain of these two big conflicts
upon the treasury OF the union was