Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-21
MINER SECRETARY
REPORTS BIG GAIN
IN UNION MEMBERS
Says U. M. w. A. Attained IFS
Greatest Numerical Strength
Last Year.
SEES HARD FIGHT AHEAD
BY Associated Press to Every evening.

by Associated Press 20 Every Evening.
indianapolis. Sept 2i-Organized
coal miners achieved the greatest
numerical strength in the history or
their union during the last year de-
.spite-general industrial depression and
widespread unemployment in the Goa.
fields. according TO the report made to-
day to the convention of the United
Mine Workers of America by william
Green, secretary
The average monthly membership
was 5l5,243 for the year ending with
last July. Mr.. Green said that aver
age monthly paid up membership was
442057, with a monthly average Of
7S,lS6 members exempted from pay
ment Of dues for lack OF work. In
December 1920, he reported, paid uu
membership Of 553.295, the largest
ever recorded by the union
MIR. Green's financial statement
covered two years. ending August
1920, and August /. 1921, respectively
The unions income for the first Of
these years was $2.352,s2I and ex-
penditures were s2.307.14s. For the
last year the income was s4,34s,31f
and expenditures were s4,9s7,9 ,9ss. The
balance August /, 1919, was sl.72s. .soe
and on August 1, 1921. IL was S1.132.
9O1. but Mr.. Green explained the lat
ter balance includes s5Sg 500 Of bor-
rowed money and $57 1881 tied up in
litigation in Colorado, making total
net available cash on hand s4s3.8
Besides the financial and member
ship report. Mr. Green discussed the
general conditions affecting labor, par
ticuiarly the coal mining industry. in
which he declared organized labor is
forced to defend itself against bostii.
legislation, open shop attacks and de-
structive enemies"
Pernicious propaganda against or
ganized labor generally" declared Mr.
Green, has been circulated through
the press and other channels. while
special onslaughts have been directed
against the United Mine Workers OF
America. The idealism which SEEM
cd to inspire all classes Of people dur
ing the war has disappeared. The
forces Of opposition have become ar
rogant and aggressive until now or
ganized labor is forced to defend it.
self against hostile legislation. open
shop attacks and destructive enemies
The pendulum of reaction has
swung so far that in some comnuni-
ties the test between organized labor
and those who would destroy il has
assumed the characteristic of a class
struggle. Collective bargaining is now
being defined by some courts as con-
spiracy, and the expression of the
commonly accepted right TO withhold
or confer patronage is classed as n
crime. A form of involuntary servi-
tude and forced service has been en-
forced by law against groups Of work.
ers in certain trades. In some states
the exercise OF the right to strike has
been defined as criminal and subjected
to both fine and Imprisonment.
While conscious of the status of
organized labor generally and our own
uE- particularly. we realize that we
are approaching the day wheA the
present contracts between miners and
operators in both anthracite and
oituminous coal fields terminate. The
formulation of a policy to be followed
IN negotiating new wage scales in both
Oh these extensive coal fields. together
with the consideration and disposition
of other questions which will be
brought TO your attention, forms a
part of the difficult work which Won
are called upOn to do"