Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-11
The Statement Of a Striker,
0 the Editor Of The Dispatch;

10 the Editor OF The Dispatch:
Seeing an article in THE DISPATCH in which
you say the miners have your sympathy in the
present struggle if they refrain from using vio-
lence, l felt encouraged to ask you for small
space In your valuable paper to explain the
true position of affairs in this part OF the coke
region, as they have been sadly misrepresented
by the operators and their mnions. not only at
the present time, but since the strike began.
The cause of the strike was the determina-
ton Of the men to resist a reduction of 10 per
cent. Now. it is generally understood, 1 be-
lteve, that The Connellsville miner is well paid.
Yet how this misunderstanding prevails am
at a loss to know. for have been working in
the mines since years of age. and can truly
say the miner of the Connellsyille region is the
worst paid workmen l know of. For fear any
of your readers may doubt my statement l will
give some figures which do not lie. These
figures have been collected at the Standard
No works for the year 1890, and speak elo-
Quently for themselves. For 1890 there were 244
DAYS worked, making an average of 201a days
per month, the average wages of the digger
being 81 20, an average Of 9S.5c per day for 365
days. Deductions for rent and tools of 25.9c
per day leaves 67.6c per day: About 31a cents
per day for coal leaves 64.3c per day as net
earnings on which to keep family and pro-
vide all the necessaries of life. The net earn
ings Of diggers, living in cheaper houses,
amounts to 707 cents per day.
Net earnings of drivers ana roadmen. .....s II
Net earnings of inside laborers. Csc
Net earnings Of inside laborers. 49,. .l023c
Net earnings OF trappers. ........... 56S C
Net earnings Of coke drawers s... 7S7c
Net earnings Of coke drawers S56c
These are figures that cannot be denied, and
are a fair average of all the mines in this coke
region. If they appeal not to the sympathy of
an impartial public, then goodby to justice. Is
it any wonder, then, that we are resisting a re-
ductiOn OF 10 per cent off the above prices, as
coke, too was selling before the strike at from
81 % to S. per ton? The digger must work ten
hours per day, or more. He must dig his coal
load 1t, lay track and do his posting, and is re-
munerated for all this labor by the paltry sum
OF 81 40 per day. not speaking of the danger lie
must undergo. Yet in the face of this, the
operators demand q reduction.
Mr. Editor. appeal to all lovers of fair play
If this Is not the most glazing act of injustice
imaginable. An act that could not be eNcelled
by the Government of despotIc Russia.
In conclusion, would say that we only ask
for true representation in the daily press and
we are assured of victory. Many works re-
ported by the operators to be working are still
idle SO far as the men are concerned, there only
being few bosses working and a little smoke
made at some of the ovens TO delude the men.
The workmen are prepared to hear such re-
ports IRON the operators, and are determined
that their struggle, being just one, they shall
continue it until il is crowned with victory.
Hoping you will give this a place, L am, by
order of Local Assembly 297, Mt. Pleasant,
A STRIKER.
1.-THE above was written before the fatal COL
lision but pressure of news prevented earlier
publication.1