The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-02
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FROM the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The more the light of intelligent in
formation is thrown upon the present
strike of coal miners the more is public
interest aroused. The case OF the strik-
ers is certainly a pitiable one, and their
grievances are real. From the results of
the investigation ordered by Governor
Mount of Indiana and conducted by State
Statistician J. Il. Connor Of Indianapo-
lis and Judge T. j. Terhune of Lebanon,
the apparent average wage per day OF
the Indiana miner runs from Sl.52 to S2.09
But this Is not the full statement of the
case. The ordinary "picker's" wages Is
considerably less. Three tons a day at
a cents per ton is the usual pay, or sl41
Tor days work. out of this the miner
must pay. for oil, powder and pick sharp
enlng, an average of IL cents for each
ton mined, while the necessity of pat
ronizng the company store In some in
stances and of living in company houses
In more reduces the wage to the $1.05 per
day that remains. Deductions again
must be made for losses when the mines
are shut down, the records showing that
there was an average of only four full
days work a week during the past year.
1t is not strange that the squalld condi-
tons OF living necessarily resulting from
such an income should awaken discon-
tent and determination to make an
earnest effort for better circumstances.
On the other hand. the condition of the
operators is one of difficulty. In the alb
sence of organization fierce competition
has greatly reduced the price of coal.
The operators underbid each other in
making their yearly contracts, and then,
| in order to meet their obligations, re-
sort to every device for cheapening the
output. In this effort the miners wages
| have been the first to suffer, although in
the end of the competition has proved
ruinous to the operators. 1t is stated
that operators have been known to con-
tract for coal delivered on the car as
low as 60 cents per ton. In making these
contracts striking clause" is carefully
inserted, so that if the miners should
strike they will be released from the
contract. The coal business has thus
reached the point where there is neither
profit for the owner nor living wages for
the laborer. The consumer is undoubt-
edly benefited, but 1t is at the expense of
the coal miner. Both the miners and the
operators have their grievances, and
there are many difficult knots in the
| problem.
In the main the strikers have conduct
| ed themselves in a manner to awaken
| public sympathy with their cause. But
| If 1t is the duty of the strikers to seek
redress by peaceable means. it is equally
| clear that the owners or operators should
| cease their ruinous competition. The
employers are bound to consider the in
| terests of their employees. The refusal
| of the Indiana and Illinois operators to
| confer with those of other states inter-
ested, such as Ohio. Pennsylvania and
| West Virginia, must meet with public
| condemnation. Combinations undoubted-
| ly have their evils. But they accom-
| plish one good in giving steady work
and steady wages. In the present in
| stance in which even the operators pro-
fess sympathy for their employees. the
one duty is by some means to agree to-
gether whereby higher prices shall be
| obtained for the product of thar mines
and better wages for the miners.