Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-19
MINE UNION LOSES men
Decrease During Year Due to Long
Suspension Of Work in
Many Mines.
INCOME NEARLY ONE MILLION


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Jan ia dec
laration against military preparedness as
promoting a tendency toward war and
recommendation that the United Mine
Workers OF America go on record as op-
posed to the national administration
plans in this regard were contained in
the annual report which William Green,
secretary-treasurer OF the union. presented
to the convention OF the organization
here tonight
The report showed a decrease in the
average paid up membership OF the union
for tho fiscal year ending December ].
1915. but added that the figures were
gratifying" in view of the conditions
Of unemployment which confronted many
OF the locals. The effect Of the Ohio and
Colorado strikes was dwelt on in con-
nection with the membership and finan-
cial figures
The report said in part:
Many Mines Idle.
During part Of 1914 and all Of 1915 tho
United Mine Workers Of America, in com
mon with all other labor organizations,
fet the blighting influence of an indus
trial depression. Many mines were idle
for long periods and thousands OF men
D
monthly reports of local union officers
show that these conditions were nation
wide.
{ "It is but natural that this state OF
affairs would be manifest in the numer-
ical standing of our organization. Our
/ laws provide that members who are idle
during an entire month or more are ex-
onerated from payment of the per capita
/ tax and assessments. Our fluctuating
| psid-up membership with the large num-
/ Der exonerated each month tells the
story
/ Notwithstanding all this the paid-up
! membership has been maintained at q
comparatively high figure. The average
! paid up membership for the fiscal year
ending November 80, 1914 was $685. 1888 and
for 1915 it was 81 1855. Between 5000 and
10000 more members we're exonerated
each month during 1914 and 1915 than
during 1913. 1t is no surprise that we did
not increase our membership, but rather
that we maintained our numerical and
financial strength as we'll as we have
situation in Colorado.
OF the Corado strike, the report said:
I'VE are still spending large sums in
Colorado in the way OF attorney fees
court costs and incidenta; expenses caused
by the prosecution of a number of mem
bers Of our organization who have been
charged with the commission Of various
crimes in connection with that bitter
contest.
Judged from the standpoint of i'm
mediate results, the strike in Colorado
may not be regarded as a complete sue
cess: however the moral effect resulting
from 1t is bound to produce good results
II the sacrifices made will bring more
freedom TO the workers of Colorado, ther
all that has been done will have not have
been in vain"
The Ohio 1914 strike was called com
plete success" in the report and the uniol
was congratulated on the results achieved
especially the abolition of screen mining
Large Sums for Relief.
The drain of these two big conflicts
upon the treasure of the union wal
pointed out the report saying:
During 1914 we sent $377,50O to Ohio ant
81, $50, 600 to Colorado. In 1915 we sent 1917.
600 to Ohio and 1927, 900 to Colorado. Within
the two years we expended for aid il