The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-12
The strike of the Coal Heavers.
WHAT THE Men HAVE TO SAY ABOUT In.
THEIR Work AND WHAT They GET
FOR 1T.


To the Editor Of the WoRKxsXAS's ADVOCATE.
CHICAGO, June g. 1874.
During the mast week several statements
have appeared in the columns of the daily
papers IN relation to the difficulty existing
between the Laborers' Benevolent Aid As
ISOLATION and the Coal Exchange OF thus city
As these statements have given very un-
lust and one-sided statement Of the affair, we
now ask you TO present through your columns
our version Of the issue, attested by facts
herewith presented In doing this, we do
not presume We are asking any more than
what belongs to every American citizen.
Though our calling Is humble, as men we are
equals before the law, aud as citizens OF Hi
nous we observe and obey alike the laws OF
the State and the United States. We, there
fore. claim We have rights in common with
our tellow-citizens, among which is that
which is most sacred to every true American
THE RIGHT OF ASSOCIATION.
If there is any recognized principle which
distinguishes a republic from monarchy, 1t
it is the right Of its citizens to meet, assOci
ate. and consult for their own mutual wei
fare. While we claim this RICH tfor ourselves,
We do not deny it by any means to our en-
blowers. Nor do We, by any force Of reason
ing, understand by what authority the Coal
Exchange, or any corporation, VIII deny to
us that right and privilege which the ConstI-
tuition Of our country accords to US.
We most emphatIcally enter our solemn
protest against the charge Of our
sANcrIoNING ANY VIOLATION OF LAW.
In our capacity as an association 1t Is OBJ
lieatory on our members to not only obey the
laws but 70 preserve them also. Our associ-
alton is not responsible for any acts Of vlo-
lence committed during the past week they
have not las will be proven IN the trial been
committed by members of our organization
They were acts the responsibility OF which
must rest on the individuals who committed
them, and not on the members OF the L. b.
Society.
Our organization is not the growth Of sn
hour 1t was not started to meet the pres
ent emergency. 1t is an Old-established be-
nevolent association, its object being similar
to those of the Masons, Odd Fellows, knights
Of Pythias, and kindred associations. Our
labor is of the most hazar lOus nature, owing
to the peculiar constructions Of the p" runs
(frame work. We have to labor en-, besides
the character Of our work, and the season Of
the year in which we have to perform It.
THE NATURE or OUR WORK.
To a casual observer, the work OF " coal
HEAVIER" las you term i'll IL very simple out
when YOU come to examine into it you will
find it both intricate and dangerous. To
those who observe it from Mr.. Robert Law
ward, at Madison-st street bridge, it appears
safe and without any risk, because he there
sees but the initiatory steps Of the process
the mere work Of dumping it from the deck
| If vessels to the yard in the immediate vicinI
" Of the vessel probably distance Of not
over 40 feet yet in this short distance accidents
occur which incapAcitate men from following
their calling for weeks, months, even years,
ave, and for life. But when we come to the
more extended yards where men have tC
wheel their coal for a distance of from 80 Il
100 yards, over plank
ONE FOOT WIDE,
| from IL to Is feet above the level Of the
earth, it is different. Here is where our nc
cidents occur. 1t may he to-day q death. to
morrow . broken arm or strained back, anC
such are the RISKS we are, in the nature o
our work, obliged to encounter.
In reply TO the charge that
| OUR WAGES
are s. per day, allow US to present the fol
lowing facts, which can be substantiated b.
employer and employee alike. For shovelinl
coal the average wages paid are Is cents Pc
ton, lis tons being considered fair day
work. This amounts 10 $l7.25, which ha
to be divided among . gang Of three men
making $5.76 to each shovel For dumping