coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MINE WORKERS
CONCLUDE CONVENTION WITH ADOP­
TION OF WAGE SCALE DEMANDS.
The report of the proceedings of the first biennial
convention of the United Mine Workers of
Central Pennsylvania, District No. 2, concluded
in the last issue of the COAL TRADE BULLETIN with
the proceedings of Feb. 26.
When the convention met Feb. 27, among the
first things that came up was the report of the
constitution committee. One of the important
changes recommended by the committee, which
was adopted, was that the district secretary close
his books on Dec. 31 of each year, instead of
Jan. 31, and that all members in good standing
Feb. 1, be permitted to attend the convention.
This change was made because of the change
of the convention date from March to February.
The convention adopted a change in the constitution
which provides that when a mine is on
strike, and the strikers are receiving strike benefits,
they shall continue to receive these benefits
for two weeks after they return to work. Under
the old law they received no benefits after returning
to work.
When the convention met Feb. 28, the constitution
committee concluded its report, and then
the legislative committee made its report. Among
the resolutions adopted were:
One asking the mining inspectors to enforce all
mining laws with respect to the safety of the
miners was passed.
The House of Representatives was commended
and the Senate censured in a resolution for action
on labor bills at the last session.
A resolution favoring the certificate law for
miners in the bituminous district as it now exists
in the anthracite region was passed. This is to
protect the miners in time of strike.
The endorsement of a law preventing the drawing
of pillars by machines was given through a
resolution.
The repeal of the mining trespass law was also
favored by the convention.
When the convention met March 2, the legislative
committee continued its report, and the
convention went on record as favoring the election
of the state mine inspectors instead of their
appointment and also as favoring the local mine
committee accompanying the state inspector when
he inspects the mine.
The scale committee then made its report, and
it was considered during the day and on the following
day, when it was adopted, and its principal
provisions are:
Price of pick niining per ton gross, 77 cents;
an advance of 5 cents.
Price of pick mining per ton net, 69.29 cents;
an increase of 5 cents.
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 25
Machine mined per ton gross, 47 cents, 5 cents
increase; machine mined coal per ton net, 42.5
cents, 5 cents increase.
Electric chain loading per gross ton, 3 cents
more than above, or 50 cents.
It is demanded that all cars be delivered to
and from the face of working place.
A 10 per cent, increase on all dead work is
demanded.
Eight hours for all men around the mines.
All men in and about the mines must be members
of the United Mine Workers.
Five hours to constitute a day's work Saturday.
Drivers shall be paid full time from taking
the mules out of barn until they return.
The scale committee urged the recommendation
of President Patrick Gilday that work shall continue
while negotiations are on, even though thereis
no agreement before April 1.
March 4, the final day of the convention, was
marked by the completion of the reports of the
committees, that of the committee on officers' reports
being the last one to be completed. The
committee concurred in the recommendations
made in the report of President Gilday in every
particular save one, that of the establishment of
a paper in the district. This was referred back
to a referendum vote of the entire membership
of the district, and a committee composed of
Messrs. Duffey, Bassett and Parker was elected to
ascertain the cost of establishing and conducting
such a paper and furnish the information to the
membership at the time the referendum is taken.
The report of Secretary-Treasurer Gilbert was
approved, and then Dubois was selected as the
place of the next meeting of the convention in
1916, after which the convention adjourned.
Two receivers, Colonel C. D. R. Stowits and William
J. Donovan, were appointed for the firm of
Frank Williams & Co., dealers in coal, by Judge
John R. Hazel in I'nited States District court at
Buffalo. N. Y., March 4. The receivers were nominated
at the request of the Bennets Branch Supply
Co. of Pennsylvania, which has given the concern
credit for $15,000. The Williams company is not
bankrupt, but has not enough ready money to pay
its debts, it is alleged. The appointment of the
receivers will mean a reorganization of the company.
The Lake Erie, Franklin & Clarion railroad has
announced that it is in the market for 150 big
steel hopper coal cars, and already has placed in
service an SO-ton Baldwin locomotive. A new
10-wheel 80-ton passenger locomotive has been ordered
for delivery in 60 days and it is expected
more coal carrying equipment will be ordeied
directly.