Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-07-03
THE WOES OF MINERS.
Pennsylvania Legislative Commit
tee Presents It's Report.
COMMITTEES RECOMMENDATIONS

The Abolition of Company stores,
Which Arc Declared Un-AmerIcap.
and an Appeal For a Law Restrict
ing Foreign Immigration.
Harrisburg. June 15.-The joint COM
mittee appointed to investigate the
condition of the miners in the anthra-'
cite coal regions last evening made its
report to the senate. Senator Meredith.
chairman of the committee. presented
the report.
The testimony taken" says the re-
port, shows conclusively the deplor-
able condition of affairs for a period
covering about two years, and particu-
larly 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-fourths 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 it's vicin-
ity, Shenandoah and it's vicinity, Halle
ton and it's vicinity. Shamolxin and it's
vicinity and Will<esbarre and it's vi
entity
The report then goes on to say that
II seems that the wages now paid are
upon the basis agreed upon by the
operators and the miners as far back
as 1875. The basis Is then given, and
the committee says that the manner
of regulating the wages certainly APP
pears to be one which shows a strong
disposition on the part OF the employ
ers TO treat labor fairly"
| 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 IL 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-
I 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 produces
d trouble and render the miner mor'
liable to accidents. The committee Il
OF the opinion that there will be NJ
| general prosperity in the anthracite
B regions until congress shall have passe,
I a restricted immigration law"
Y Regarding the charges that the higl
r price charged for coal at tide water
v thus decreasing the consumption. wa
: the cause Of the deplorable condition
q Of the miners. the committee says tina
"a for a number OF years none OF the Goa
It companies, save one, have declares
i dividends. Upon the question O
l. freight rates the committee is OF opin
n ion that the rates charged are no
greater than those charged for othe
p classes of freight.
Il On the subject of company store
l. the report has this 10 say: we re
ar gard these stores as un-American."
t. The committee makes these recon-
n. mendations: First, the enactment Of
ID law abolishing company stores; SEQ
al ond. the prohibiting OF discounting {
w negotiating money orders belonging I
r the miners; third. the enactment OF
I'd compulsory serni-monthly pay law
q fourth, the repeal of the miners e.
ne aiming law and the enactment OF
Id law providing for a state board of e,
q aminers, and that certificates issued /
K the board shall entitle the holder to
to | employed in any mine in the STATE
ne fifth, the enactment of a law providiT
an for the appointment of an Inspector
coal, to examine the coal as il come
ms from the mines; sixth. the passage
IL a resolution requesting Pennsylvan
ul representatives in Congress to vote 4
S, and urge the passage of a law restric
N ing foreign immigration.
Y; The senate adopted the report.