Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-08-10
The GREAT STRIKE.
A Voice from the Coal-felds Inter
esting Statement of the Situation.
CoALFIELD, w Va August 5. 'e5

COALFIELD, w Va August 5, 'e5.
Reading your valuable paper from
time TO time L do not read anything
about the great Pocahontas strike in
this cOalfield We believe many of
the readers would like TO know how
times are in the West. This strike
commenced on May LIST, and is now a
dead lock with the operators and min
ers hope the many readers of your
valuable paper will take notice that
the strike at fat-top cOalfield is not
called that at this writing, IL is better
known by Pocahontas coalfield We
are for justice and that is all we want !;
and every thing is in a good shape il
all non-uniop men will stay from the
held. All men that the operators en-
ploy here are called scab-laborers, but
many good man has been brought
here bv being falsely told of the good
time that's here, finding it different,
they leave equally as fast as they come.
IL IS sad sight to see people come
from their homes and nothing to get
back with. They walk out and beat
the trains all they can. Many that
read the Bluefield Telegram may think
the strike is of but it is not so. and we
do not know when it will be called OIL
In this state, West Va, the law was
passed 1891 that all coal must be
weighed or measured on the triple
weigher, one of these has been applied
therefore we U. N. NJ. A, drop out and
quit on the first day of May for Justice.
we were cut 10 per cent on one car,
we were TO get 70 cents per car, and
was cut TO 6Oc. a car. Let us give you
the facts and figures of Pocahontas
coalheld which includes Elkhorn. w
| Va. In this coalfield there is many a
family that cannot get away. because
they have been working for nothing
| and have nothing We were getting
( 15c. per car, called a two-ton car: and
each car was 80 ton car. We have
been loading the cars all the time and
on the first of May we were cut to 6Oc
| per car, and we could not have any,
thing even at IS cents, so we organized
| as men and we are standing out for
| justice We hope the readers will see
what man would make a month at
high prices which space will not per-
NIT me TO write, and If you fail to
spend all you make in the company's
store, you will lose your Job Bacon,
| 1211S to l5S per ID meal, 81 40 bu.
Hour SO to SO barrel, when Won could
get same outside of company for near
| ly half. We are cut 60 cents per car.
| We can show our many readers what
a miner that digs coal can make. and
what he will have to spend after work
ing in danger of his life. We quote the
following average car per month: 40
| cars to the man at 90 cents per car
which will be $2400 per month. We
will speak OF the expenses: house rent
| 500; DR.. for family, 500; Black
smith, soc Powder and serbs. "a. 20
Where is our board and clothinpq
You can see birds eye-view ofwhv
we are on a strike. Any good think
ing man can see how the miners are
treated. We stopped work because we
couldn't make a living, and many have
been working here and can't get away
with large families II any friends
wish TO help the miners in this trouble
it will be thankfully received. Send II
to Mr. A B. Smart, Keystone, w Va.
this gentleman is Secretary of u. M.
w. OF A, ID. c., 25. We are waiting
for justice We hope the time will
come when the poor people will have
i justice II this strike is won it will he
good for our children yet unborn.
Give us liberty, and justice will be
ours.
| am yours for Justice and Liberty,
r. w. M.