Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-08-31

"Of the 3i2l employees 1925 received II
cents an hour or less; liz averaged from
$l.GS to 500 per days "a averaged from
$500 to $500 per day; iG averaged between
50 90 and 500 per day; - averaged about
$3.50 per day." There are over 800 that are
left out of their statement The good peo-
pie of this state contributed of their sub
stance to feed and clothe the miners at Iron
wood, in the Upper Peninsula, last winter.
The depressed state of business caused a
closing of the mines, leaving the miners out
OF employ, and destitute, a. they usually are.
The pumps at these mines are kept running
whether they are worked or not, to prevent
their filling with water-an expense without
profit There are three grades of labor at
these mines. The proprietors, on opening of
navigation, concluded 10 start up and pay
such wages that one grade of hands could
earn Sill per day, the second could earn
Sl.2j per day and the third $500 per day;
which, added to the expense of pumping,
and shipping the coal TO Cleveland market,
cost the company S2.s3 per ton, making no
account of capital invested. the market
price being 1910 per ton-a loss of eight
cent?. This trifling loss was more sufferable
than to run the pumps and not work the
mines; besides it gave employment to the
miners AT the hire mentioned. For while
all went merriy "a a marriage bell, until n
strike was ordered and war declared. Gov
ernor Rich sent Commissioner Morse to in
vestgate, and he found the market price of
coal, the expense of mining and shipping
and the wages as above stated. The leaders
of the strike demanded flush times hire,
which was more than their labor was worth
TO the proprietors. Commissioner G. H..
Morse showed them that their demand was
unreasonable, and requested the laborers to
get together, talk the matter over, and make
a proposition that would likely be accepted
by the mine owners. They did so, and their
proposition was accepted. But, alas! as soon
as accepted these leaders refused to declare
the strike off. Mr.. Morse wired the COVER
nor of the result, and received from him a
telegram to the effect, that the miners had
been helped through the past winter and the
prospects for the coming winter are not fiat
hire offered, under the circumstances, they
could not expect a repetition of aid next
winter. Mr.. Morse read the telegram to the
leaders, who replied that Governor Rich did
not run their business. The strike was not
declared off until the works were being
started up by rev hands, leaving many of
the strikers ont And such is the outcome
of strike. They get left. At Pullman dur
ing the late long strike the works were put
in operation by new hands, and the strikers
are now TO te evIcted, to give way for the
pew corners. When they struck Pullman
they hit, or tried to hit their benefactor.
Now they are, after assisting in the destruc-
ton of millions Of property aud the death of
many persons, about TO be set ont into the
street with their wives and little ones, penni-
less, without shelter or food, truly the objects
of pity. the ont groupings of labor strikes.
Their salaried leaders can order out but are
unable to order back. Truly, they that sow
to the wind-'they shall reap the whirlwind"
Is there no remedy other than United States
troops and federal courtsy Who will answer
w. +. WINTON.