Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-19
A MINERS MANIFESTO.
The Knights of Labor ScOrch the Ma
tiOnal Progressive Union.
AN IMPORTANT CIRCULAR ISSUED.
Ex-President Cline Says That Tank Fur
naces Are Failure.
CLOSE OF THE D. A. 8 CONVENTION

Master Workman Rea and Secretary
Watchorn, Of N. d. A. 135, K. Of L., yes
terday issued manifesto to the miners of
Western Pennsylvania and Ohio. The
cause of the reduction in the price of mining
is mentioned, and the publication of the
noted circular issued by President Nc
Bride is condemned. This official document
is appended:
To the Miners of Western Pennsylvania and Ohio
whose product goes to the markets of the West
and Northwest:
FELLOW CRAFTsMEN-Although we con-
consider you fully competent to judge for your
selves on all questions of price, etc., we believe
it to be our duty to remind you Of a few known
facts and make known few other things re-
lating to present difficulties. When we entered
upon the duties of calling convention as you
had requested, we were in possession Of in
formation that led us to believe that the sum-
mer rate of last year could be arranged for the
whole year. You may imagine how We felt
when the noted circular of President Mcbride
appeared forestalling all action by the miners
and advising a 21-cent redu ction on last years
rates. This meant over cent less for the year
than could have been obtained When we met
in Plttsburg on the 18th, we found that the
agreed to accept the terms offered to the
operators by the President of the N. P. U.
BITTER AND HUMILIATING.
We went into the convention hoping against
hope still anxious to secure last years summer
rates. We were disappointed Officers of the
n. P. q. held meetings and had advised not
only a ~ but scent reduction, if it were
necessary to save their organization. Delegates
came instructed to accept the 2H-cent reduc-
ton, and the Pennsylvania delegation were
outvoted. What were we to do? Either sub
NIT to the inevitable or allow the operators,
who had been dealing with the Mp. U. to Sc
cure the best of the lake trade or withdraw
and run the risk of endangering the interests
of both operators and miners, and wrecking
the conciliatory movement. We believed the
latter to be unwise, and now recommend that
we submit with as good grace as possible.
Our bitter and humiliating experience should
teach us the evils of division. We must pull
together or suffer loss. The success of no or
ganization must be allowed to take precedence
to miners interests, and any man or body Of
men who would divide u.s. for selfish ends, can
not be our friend. We strongly urge the ne
cessity of harmony and unity in our ranks. Let
every nerve be strained in that direction during
the coming scale year, that the blunders of this
winter with their terrible consequences may
not be repeated
A GREAT WORK
is before US, If this movement is to be a perma-
nent one and become successful. Neither op-
orator nor miner can afford co seek any undue
advantage. A spirit of fairness is the essence
of the movement. The equalization of day la
Dor between the different regions is important.
The company store question: Some operators
going into the market and taking contracts at
low prices, thus making on their merchandise
such profits as will cover losses and net them
something is one of the causes of demoraliza-
tion in the coal trade. This will have to be
dealt with in some way. If operators won't
stop this miners will have to act We shall also
have to shorten our hours of labor TO prevent
such long periods of enforced idleness. An
eight-hour day is an immediate necessity. If
we act together no one will be injured, as it is
not the prices paid nor the hours worked, but
unequal chances that injure the honest opera
tor. Let this year be devoted to these reforms.
Along these lines we can succeed.
Sincerely hoping that when we have to meet
the operators again there may be harmony in
our own rspks, and that nothing will come in
to distract our attention from our interests as
miners we are yours for labor,
]. B. RAE, M. w. of N. D. A. 135.
ROBERT WATCHoRN, N. ST. l35.