The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-19
Union Report Shows Vast Sum
Spent on Strikes.
Colorado and Ohio Struggles
Cost S3,5O3,OOO.
LOST CAUSE HAS GOOD EFFECT
Officers Pay $4,000 Month;
Magazine Has Deficit.
Hopes for Wage Agreement
March 81 without Strike.

Indianapolis, Ind, Jan. 1s.-That
the United Mine Workers OF America
spent three and a half million dollars
in waging the strikes in Colorado and
Ohio was detailed in the annual report
of the secretary-treasurer, William
Green, read today before the national
convention of tn eminers' union
of the Colorado strike, the report
said.
1--WE are still spending large sums in
Colorado in the way of attorney fees,
court costs and incidental expenses
caused by the prosecution of a number
of members of our organization who
have been charged with the commits
sion of various crimes in connection
with that bitter contest.
Colorado Strike Was Lost.
Judged from the standpoint of i'm
mediate results, the strike in Colorado
may not be regarded as complete
success; however, the moral effect re-
sulting from it 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 aboh-
ton of screen mining.
The drain of these two big conflicts
upon the treasury of the union was
pointed out, the report saying: Ak
During 1914 we sent 1877, 500 to
Ohio and S1,SS2,000 to Colorado. In
1915 we sent S917, 900 to Ohio and
1927 900 to Colorado. Within the two
years we expended for aid in Colorado
and Ohio, the enormous sum of $3,-
503,500. This money was supplied as
aid alone and does not include
amounts furnished for medical atten-
ton, attorney fees and incidental bills,
which amount to approximately $12,-
0G0 in Ohio and a much larger sum in
Colorado"
Large Relief Fund.
The report stated that the interna-
tional union received from various
district unions $S77,86c to help the re-
lief work in Ohio, Colorado and else
where. Whether the district unions
are to be reimbursed for these ad-
vances was referred to the convention
for decision.
The report gave total incomes for
1914 as S3,222,742 and the expendi-
lures as $3.3s9,S53. For 1915 the to-
tai income was $1,S5S,604 and the ex-
penditures $1,776,9S4. Secretary
Green said that the balance on hand
December 1, 1915, was $192, 558.97. He
pointed out that this did not repre-
sent the entire financial strength of
the union because the amounts in the
treasures of the districts, sub districts
and locals was not included and was
not accurately known.
Summarized statement for 1915
showed that the greatest source of in
come was the per capita tax which
totaled $935,359. Assessments brought
in $776,44S. The greatest single item
of expenditures was for aid to strik-
ers, the total being $1,25e,516. Ex-
penses and salaries of officials were
more than $4,000 a month and total
for the year $266,607. The account of
the official journal of the organization
showed a deficit of $49,S23.
New Wage Scale in March.
OF the new wage agreements to take
the place OF the present ones expiring
March 81, he said:
THE work will be trying and will
test the wisdom and ability of those
who represent you in these wage con-
ferences. Industrial conditions are
more favorable now and 1 hope as a
result of the brighter outlook we shall
be able to work out wage contracts in
every mining section Of the country
without involving our membership in
either a strike or lockout"