The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-09-10
MINE WORKERS OPEN
MEETING OF GREAT
LABOR IMPORTANCE
BBITISH MINERS AWAIT ACTION
OF AMERICANS AS TO STRIKE
AND SHORTER HOURS

Cleveland. Ohio, Sept 9-With about
1000 delegates from the collieries Of .
the United States and Canada gathered |
in the armory Of the Cleveland Grays
the International convention Of the
United Mine Workers Of America, the
tweuty-fIfth consecutive gathering Of
that organization was called to order
at 1O O'Clock this morning.
Events have couspired to make it
probably the most important in the
history Of the United Mine Workers,
since quite apart from the possibili-
ties Of trouble contained in its almost
certain demands for higher wages and
shorter hours. the miners of Great
Britain are looking to it for support
and cooperation in the questions Of the
sin hour day and 3Ohour week and of
the naturalization Of coal mines
Both articles Of the British miners
program figure upon the program Of
the Cleveland convention Favorable
action which is anticipated, is expected
TO reach sympathet.cany upon the
struggle across the Atlantic.
The convention was called to order
by H. W. Raisse, on behalf Of the
Cleveland Federation Of Labor and
short speeches of welcome were de-
lvered 10y Mayor Davis of Cleveland,
John NJ. owens, secretary Of the Cleve-
land Federation of Labor, and Thomas
]. Donnelly Of Toledo, representing the
Ohio Federation.
OF great significance upon the open
ing program, however. in view Of the
desire 10 secure the support Of organ
lied labor everywhere for the Plumb
plan for the naturalization Of the rail.
ways was the presence upon II Of War
ren S. stone grand chief Of the Broth
| erhOud of Locomotive Engineers, Tim
othy j. Shea, acting president Of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
ana Enginemen; W. G. Lee president
! Of the brotherhood Of Railway Train
men. and L. Z. Sheppard, president Of
/ the Order Of Railway Conductors. who
at late hour had been added to those
/ to extend q Cleveland welcome TO the
! convention.
| Shea Criticizes Wilson
President Shea Of the Brotherhood Of
| Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, as
| expected. brought in the question Of
the naturalization of railroads, evok-
! ing rounds Of applause. lie declared
! that, in some form or other, the Plumb
plan ultimately was bound TO be ac-
cepted. He denied charges that rail
way employees had received dispropor-
tionately high wage increases TO the
disadvantage Of other classes Of labor.
and criticised President Wilson's de
mand for postponement of wage in
creaScs to await the issue Of attempts
to reduce high costs of living, sug.
gesting, as the better alternative, i'm
mediate increases subject to later modi-
fication in case Of decided reduction in
prices Of necessities of life.
The miners broke into hearty cheers
at Mr. Sheas denunciation Of the pro
posal in congress TO introduce compul-
sory arbitration for railway men as
an attempt TO hog-tie American labor
which could never succeed.
President stone of the engineers
brotherhood suggested joint political
action as the best means for labor to
enforce its demands and secure i'm
proved conditions Of labor. All labor
he said. was vitally interested in the
deliberations of the convention, be
cause a coal strike if it came would
mean the suspension of all forms OF
employment as soon as stocks Of fue
were exhausted.
President Lee of the trainmen's
brotherhood outlined, as the aim of the
railroad brotherhoods. conditions under
which labor could earn enough in eight
hours. 26 days in the month, to per
init it to live in comfort "a hours
day during the entire month.
President Sheppard of the Order OF
Railway Conductors was unable to at
tend.
In response by Acting President
John l.. Lewis of the United Mln'
Workers of America, in the chair o
the convention owing to the illness o
President Frank Hayes. inauguratet
the deliberations of the convention
which is expected to last from two It
, three weeks
Today's sessions are devoted to tn
opening ceremonies. the work of or
ganization and presentation OF the re
ports of Acting President Lewis an'
of Secretary. Treasurer William Green
which are expected to lay the founda
, tions for the work OF the delegates Il
regard to wages and hours Of labor
naturalization of mines. etc. No de
cisions on these subjects are expected
until later in this week.
Among the resolutions which vii
+ cause most discussion are several call
ing for immediate ratification Of tn
treaty of peace. together with one pro
4 posing participation in the League o
b. Nations.
E General Strike Indicated
% Acting President John L. Lewis. il
his report today to the convention o
the United Mine Workers of America
discussed the greatly increased cos
: of living and the probability Of an
sweeping reduction through "belated
federal action as a preface to his rec
. ommendation for a cancellation of tn
Washington wage agreement in tn
bituminous field not later than Noveu
Der l. and the negotiation of a ne'
wage scale. to be enforced. in case @
failure to reach a satisfactory settle
! ment by them, by u general miners
strike throughout the entire jurisdi'
ton of the United Mine Workers c