Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-26
THE WORKERS SIDE
Of the Argument of a New Scale of
Wages in the Coke Regions.
THEY DO SOME CLEVER FIGURING.
Jack Frost Works Ruin to Fruit in One
Buckeye NeighborhoOd.
VERY PECULIAR REVOLVER ACCIDENT
-srECTkL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPArcH.:

-srECTAL TEL LEGRAh TO THE DISPATCH:
CONNELLSvILLE. March 25.-The follow
ing statement from the officers of the United
Mine Workers of America, issued to-day,
presents fully their side of the coke lockout:
10 the Operators of the Connelsville Coke Re-
gion:
GENTLENFN-The fact that the relation between
You and your employees has materially chahReu
during the past few weeks, is the cause for this
communication.
In the beginning OF February, when we met
you, il was agreed that on account oil the depres-
sion in the iron trade and the consequent accumu-
lation Of coke on the market, friendly suspen-
sion should take place, and with that understand
ing we parted.
Since that time many conflicting statements
have gone forth to the causes Of continued
idleness- one is that you have been resisting
what has been called an unreasonable demand for
advance in wages in the face OF depressed
market. Another is that the men resisting
10 per cent reduction made necessary by the COM
petition OF other regions whose labor Is pald less
and coke is produced a. a lower figure than you
are able to produce It,
Allow us, therefore, to state the case fairly as
we understand il:
First-It is true that the employees OF this region
asked for an advance in wages before the expirK-
tlon of the last scale year. 1t is also true that
they offered TO continue work at last years rates
until trade should improve and another confer
ence could be held. That such conference should
be held Immediately after the annual convention
OF the U. Nj. W. of A. which met in Columbus,
O.. was mutually agreed.
Second-When, in accordance with the pledge
given. as stated above, we asked for the second
conference we were told that there was no need
10 need to enter into conference. unless we were
prepared to arrange a scale on basis of a 10 per
The reasons presented 10 justify what you ask
t because d cbesn aSos S other cons elds
the toHnelsville operators are losing their trade
notwithstanding the fact that the iron trade was
somewhat depressed during the last year, and
particularly SO during the fal! months, the in
crease OF production for the year in the Councils
lie Tp1inn Ngas afln w
increase in the value of coke produced was be-
tween s. COZ, 0oo and S. ooo, COZ.
The Low Price for Mining.
As to the cost OF production in other fields we
submit the following:
Eirst-The price for mining in the Connellsville
coke region is less than u cents per ton. The low
est price paid for mining outside of the Connels-
vile region is 81 cents per ton, difference of
nearly = per cent in favor of Conneilsvile oper-
ators. In most of the coke fields the price for
mining is 81 cents per ton. difference Of over 30
per cent in ycur favor.
1t wi thus be seen that the Connellsvillc oper-
siOrs get their charged fol less than others
pay for mining In the face Of this fact. and
further that the miners of this region digging
and loading coal for less than y cents ton, be-
side laying their own road and setting their own
per cent reduction is offered.
Is this fair or just? You ask honest working
heH 10 dig and load ton of coal for less than you
would pay common tramp for shoveling ton
81 coal into your cellar, and then ask them to suf
refusal every effort is being made to turn public
opinion against them. We are quite willing that
ehall Judge between
l. is true ihat wages paid to day hands differ
materially, in different regions but not near SO
much a. the statements made seem TO Indicate
Drivers arc paid in other regions from 81 rs to |
8 ~ per day. while majority OF competing |
regions pay s. per day.
The average amount hauled in the ConnelIsvile |
against 81 per driver per day in othef regions
difference IN iayer OF Connellsville operators OF
more than 80 per cent in labor performed, while |
cent
The Cost of Producing Coke.
1t will be seen that in the actual for haul
ing coal, the Connellsville operators have an ad-
vantage OF more than 70 per cent and the same |
applies TO almost all other day labor in and
around the mines. outside day labor in many OF |
the competitive fields is about 10 per cent less |
than in the COnnellsville regions This is to be |
expected because of CoHnelsville being near |
large industrial centre, and is ITSELF but the /
small number OF common day hands so employed
does not make difference in the cost of produc-
tion Of one per cent while the facts above stated
show that the operators have an advantage of
more than 30 per cent. When take into con-
sIderation the value of the coke produced in this
region, the injustice Of your demands for reduc-
lion Is manifest. The amount of coke produced |
last wear was e. FL SIS tons. AT last years prices
the total value, f. 0. b. at ovens, would he about
Sl5 OOO OVO. When 1t is known that the actual cost
OF prUduclnRa ton OF coke at last years rates is
less than 81 20 it is hard TO justify your position
IN asking IOr reduction. ON the contrary a
considerable advance on some classes would be
emiuently proper In conclusion let it be Known
that II long contest is inevitable shall return
to the old demand of scales the tppes that JUS
tlce may be assured to all, an advance that will
cover our present losses and working day of
eight hours. lhIs Is not threat, but simply i
declaration OF our intentions.
The above Is submitted in the interest of lair
play, and that our respective positions may be
thoroughly understood bv the American people
generally and labor organizations in particular
We ask for the above candid consideration in |
The hope that that spirit OF cancellation which |
ought 10 exist between the employers anG EN-
plOEed of this great industry may be substituted |
IOr the apparent RnIag gOnism now prevailing |
Yours respectfully,
j. B. RAF,
L. II. PENNA
PEER WISE