The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-15
THE WOES OF MINERS.
Pennsylvania Legislative Commit
tee Presents Its Report.
COMMITTEES RECOMMENDATIONS
Tho Abolition of Company Stores,
Which Are Declared Un-American,
and an Appeal For Law Restrict
Ing Foreign Immigration.

and au Appeal For Law RESTRICT
Ing Foreign Immigration.
Harrisburg, June 1.-THE joint COM
mittee appointed to investigate the
condition Ct tie miners in the anthra-
cite coal leslIrs last evening made its
report to ne senate. Senator Meredith
chairman Vi tie committee. presented
the re- OFT.
"lne testimony ta,:en," says the re-
port, "slows c, lciusively the deplor-
aoie condition OF affairs for period
covering about Two years, end particu-
larry since the first of January of the
present year, since which time the men
in and about the collieries have been
employed not more than two to three
and three-iourths days per week, earn
ing on an average about 81 per week,
upon which, in many instances, they
are compelled to support large families.
The greatest restitution and want is
found in Mahanoy city and its vicin-
ity Shenandoah and its vicinity, Halle
ton and its vicinity, Shamokin and its
vicinity and Wilkesbarre and its vi
cinity."
The report then goes on to say that
1t seems that the wages now paid are
upon the basis agreed upon by the
operators and the miners as far back
as 1876 The basis is then given, and
the committee says that "the manner
of regulating the wages certainly ap-
pears to be one which shows - strong
disposition on the part of tho employ
ers to treat labor fairly"
1.-THE committee especially inquired
into the subject of company houses"
the report continues, land found in
all cases that the houses were roomy
and comfortable, and that the rents
charged were not in excess of those
charged by individuals for houses of
the same character in the villages and
towns adjoining"
The committee also inquired into the
causes which have brought about the
present condition of affairs, and al
though numerous reasons were ad-
vanced the majority of witnesses
thought it due to the depressed condi-
ton of business throughout the country.
1.-THE surplus labor in and about the
Mines" asserts the report, Contributes
largely to the present condition Of af-
fairs"
Speaking of the foreigners working
in the mines, the report says: mon
English speaking miners and laborers,
with English speaking superintendent
and foreman, must necessarily produce
trouble and render the miner more
liable to accidents. The committee is
of the opinion that there will be no
general prosperity in the anthracite
regions until congress shall have passed
restricted immigration law"
Regarding the charges that the high
price charged for coal at tide water,
thus decreasing the consumption, was
the cause of the deplorable condition
of the miners, the committee says that
for number Of years none of the coal
companies, save one, have declared
dividends. Upon the question of
freight rates the committee is of opin-
ion that the rates charged are not
greater than those charged for other
classes of freight
On the subject of company stores
the report has this to say: I'VE re-
gard these stores as un-American."
The committee makes these recon-
mendations: First the enactment of
law abolishing company stores; sec
ond. the prohibiting of discounting or
negotiating money orders belonging to
the miners; third, the enactment of a
compulsory semi-monthly pay law;
fourth, the repeal of the miners ex-
aiming law and the enactment of a
law providing for state board Of ex
aminers, and that certificates issued by
the board shall entitle the holder to be
employed in any mine in the state;
fifth, the enactment of a law providing
for the appointment of an inspector of
coal, to examine the coal as it comes
from the mines; sixth, the passage of
a resolution requesting Pennsylvania
representatives in Congress to vote for
and urge the passage of a law restrict
ing foreign immigration.
The senate adopted the report.