Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-05-12
NO SEMI-MoNTHLY PAY.
The Upper Lehigh Coal Company
Defies the Law.
ANOTHER FIRM DISCONTINUEs THE
MONTHLY SYSTEM OF PAYING ITS
EMPLOYES-THE MEN AFRAID TO
ASK FOR THEIR RIGHTS.

Last Thursday evening the Upper Le-
high Coal Company notified its employees
that future payments of wages would be
made but once month, the nearest Sat-
urday to the twentieth of each month
being designated as pay day. The notice
was a startling surprise to the men en-
ployed at the different collieres, as the
firm had given no intimation that any
such dishonorable course was about to
be pursued. The change caused much
comment among the miners during the
past week, but owing to the fear of dis
missal and blacklisting it is net likely
that anything will be done to check the
methods of the law-breaking company.
There are number of the employees,
probably a majority, who are willing to
make the firm explain its actions in court,
but there is another set who are opposed
to having trouble of any kind with their
employers. These are principally people
who stand in with the bosses, and there
by catch an occasional good-paying job
for playing traitors. Through their in
fluence over others the matter is at a
standstill, as the men who want the
semi-monthly pay will not risk incurring
the displeasure of the firm by demand
ing it unless they are backed by the
whole body of employees.
The company employs small num-
ber over 700 men and boys. About one
third of these reside in Freeland and
South Heberton, and their earnings are
an important factor in the business done
here. The store-keepers of this place
would certainly be willing to assist them
somewhat if they desired assistance, as
they were when Kemmerer & Co. return
ed to the monthly system. but the Up
per Lehigh employees, like the Sandy
Run men, cannot expect any help until
they muster sufficient courage to ask for
all the law allows them.
The peculiar wording of this bill makes
it compulsory for the employees to
demand the semi-monthly payment
before the factory inspector or any other
official can make the company amen
able to the law. Until they do this no
one can help them, and when they
posses grit enough to do it, either in
upon receiving all the financial support
that will be necessary, if such should be
required. 1t is not likely, however, that
the matter would ever reach court, as
the result of the few instances where the
demand was refused is a sufficient
warning to corporations that the law is
on the side of the men.
One of these instances occurred
recently at the Park Place colliery of
Lentz, Lilly & Co., in Schuylkill County,
The firm returned to monthly payments
in the same manner as the Upper Lehigh
Coal Company has done. The men
held a public meeting, sent a written
request that the terms of the law be
complied with, and the demand was
refused. Factory Inspector Watchorn
was notified, and there the responsibility
of the employees ended. The inspector
Immediately began suit against the COM
pany in the name of the commonwealth,
and had the firm placed under $1,000
bail. Two days later the representatives
of Lentz, Lilly & Co. were beseeching
the inspector and the employees to with
draw the suit, which was done in con-
sideration of a solemn promise to pay
semi-monthly hereafter.
The miners at Park Place were not
misunderstanding but common work
ingmen such as are found at Upper
Lehigh and Sandy Run. If the miners
here pursue the same course they will
obtain similar result. Let them call
public meeting, even though the COM
in with them. If they should be re-
warded with defeat (Which is highly
improbable they may rest assured) the
Upper Lehigh Coal Company and Kem-
merer & Co. do not yet own the whole
United States, and it would be far more
creditable to meet defeat than remain
the slaves Interpretations that are dis
grace to the state which chartered them.
Have the courage to test, in a legal
manner, your rights as American citizens,
and show the coal companies the spirit
of independence is not yet dead in the
Lehigh region.