The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-13

TIE e0@E r.saers' xtrake Is dragging TIA
weary length along. ard. wtss)e repoyss
hava assn rsors ar Iesa seatrazsessgy.
taers es~szaa A. yss 20 iFzsnsssssss pres
fecf OF q settlement. nor lres~1 car Il
tls safely pred cte-f ahas sna osItcansa wll!
- wfsntAsy faz men viii - compelled.
by the fFes2ere et wanf 20 giYe H. CT
~hesher ms tasae operators WITH consent
IS sne4t sho nsarsers' den arsss and rscoup
themselves ~ an advance 10 the price sf
their product.
There n little question that fhe strike
Of the coal miners was justified BY real
lrtevane~s: FRAT sls miners have suffered
wrongs ard haedssaspe cannot BE- seriously
disputed Tire wages paid. AZ tns best.
~era but poor compensation for the toll
ard danger which are part OF tie set Of
Tia coal miner ard sven tfese scanty
wages have offer been deeksd OF more or
less asrlsy pEesexts, Tire strike Ia large
~ matter 81 saIf-defense.
Yes for the conditions which have pre-
vailed In the coal rslines OF the country,
net al the coal operators are 70 blame
The relentless competition OF modern bust
naes has forced many OF them into
course repagaant TO themselves. Many Of
the largest operators frankly admit that
the wages pali in the coal districts are rot
serselent 10 provide decent wholesome
living Cor their employees In the sale os
their product. however. they are com
PEELED 10 meet the price made by those
operators who have Guy wages 10 the
minimum. No other course IL open 20 the
ordinary operator bat 20 meet this COM
petition by following the same course IS
TO wages.
The proper way in which TO settie this
strike. aud the only way which wili meet
with the approval of the people Of this
country. is by a combination OF the coal
niue operators In an agreement 20 Pay
their operators fair wages and deal with
them justly. Such a combination Is no
tnore difsscult 10 effect than one to Keep
down wagaS. and substantially would re-
suis In as great profits The operators
who refuse 90 join In such Il movement
could be disciplined by the other opsr-
ora ard By The mine owners union.
he result of combination among mino
owners TO pay fair wages would be TO add
"a few cents 10 the cost OF coal 10 the con-
sumner, loss which could readily be put
up with when so much that would be to
the common benefit OF the community
would follow upon fair aud permanent
adjustment OF this wage problem In the
coal regions Such a combination would
be In the nature of a trust. but trust
the object OF which was to prevent the
rninous competition which has resulted
in forcing down wages OF coal miners 10 a
point where a decent living Is Impossible
to be- had, IL not such trust as ougnt
TO excite the animosity OF the most
blatant shriekers against the cofnbina-
tons of capital.
There is not. and has never been in this
country. any economy In low WI ges. De
cent wages. witch permit 10 the working
man comfortable home. at clothing.
plenty Of good, wholesome food. the
means of education for als children. md
some margin In reserve for moderate
amusement. and 10 provide fund for HE
old age. are necessary TO make not only
cheerful and satisfied workers. but good
citizens. Not only this but they result
Ia the general benefit "a the community.
The man having good wages spends more.
Increases the oonsumptlVe capacity ~
himself and family. and thus contributes
10 the support and employment OF mora
people. Who shus become enlarged con-
sum.rS. he himself Is.
Low wages In the coal regions have re-
suited from the reckless competition of
Inv operators fn sndesvoring to cheaper
the cost OF their product In order 20
uuaersel each other combination "A
trust. u It MAY 50 be called. which does
away with this competition on the prsn-
csple of falr wages for employees and fa'r
profits FOR The mine operators, would he
"a decidedly good thing FOR the country. Il
&, ali resatt in putting up the orice Of
coal.