The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-02-03
TO ORGANIZED LABOR EVERY.
WHERE, GREETING

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Dec. 25, 1890.
The rapidity with which Alabama is
becoming one of the largeft coal producing
States in the Union and the interest of
the craft making it necessary for the gen.
eral welfare that the wages of the miners
should be placed on equality in order to
prevent the misery that results from in
sane competition in the coal trade, in June
last the Alabama miners, in convent on
assembled, after carefully comparing
prices paid for mining in the several coal
producing States, found that the coal
operators of Alabama could afford to pay
their miners an advance Of at least five
cent per ton without detriment to their
interest.
Desiring to avoid any action which
would result in II dustrial welfare, he
representatives of the mi ers respectfully
requested the operat )rS to meet them IN
Joint convention to discuss the situation.
The operators refused all o~vertures for a
peaceful settlement Of the question
Knowing that u miners were unpre-
pared for a struggle at that time, we were
reluctantly compelled to advise them to
return to work until 3 more propitiOus
occasion. Acting under the advice Of the
officers of the United Mine Workers, on
the 1st of Decen ber we demande d the
scale drafted in last June. Again the
operators refused to pay the price, and
had our Executive Board arrested on the
trum Led up charge of rrespassing.
The miners of Alabama are worse
treated than those of any other section Of
the country. Not only have we to com
pete with the curse Of convict labor in
our mines, but we are worse trea.ed than
the convicts we are comp elIed to work
| beside, as they have mining laws to see
that they are protected in health and
limb, and a means of escape by having
two open. ngs to all mines whore they
are employed, while the free miners are
practically at the tender mer : Of the
representatives of corporations and mOnop-
olies, the shareholders of which reside in
! Great Britain and have only interest in
the mines to the amount of dividend they
receive, caring little for the lives or vel
fare Of those employed therein. A large
number of our miners, owing to the small
ness of their earnings, were unable to be-
come attached to their organization. They
are now standing shoulder to shoulder
with their organized brethren. If we are
to be successful these men must get as,
sistance. To you we appeal for aid. This
is a struggle not only for wages but fol
the right to organize. Help us to win
this victory and organization Is an assured
success in the South. If the time ever
comes that you will be engaged in a like
struggle we will remember you with
something more substantial than gratitude
Signed on behalf of the Committee,
J. L. CoNLEY, Pres't.
JOHN HARKIN, Sec'y.
Samuel Lynch, g. W. Ward, J. H
Whaling, W L. Phillips, Executive Board
District 20, U. M. W. of A.
NRw YORK, Dec. 20, 1890.
The above appeal is hereby approved
SAMUEL GoMPERs, Pres't A. F. Of L.
CHRIS. EVANS, Sec'y.
COLUMBUS, O., Dec 81, 1890.
The above appeal is hereby officially
approved.
J.B. Rae, Pres't q. NJ. W. of A.
RoBT. WAToHoRN, Sec'y-Treas.
P. S.-Send all contributions to Robt
Watchorn, So Clinton Building, Columbus
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