Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-09-14

q du0SOu ana s- luQlylQuAl mlNGS are
working today, but doing very little
with small force. Tonight will see
the practical closing of every mine and
breaker in the Lackawanna region.
These workings give employment to
nearly 5000 men and boys.
In tile Tazieton District.
Hazelton, Pa, Sept. 14.-Everything is
quiet In the Hazelton region today. Not
colliery IL idle or short handed, and
operations are in fun blast. The strike
leader, Benjamin James, says he has
received reports from every mine to the
effect that the men will go out on str .se
as ordered.
MiTCHELL'sS SsTATENIENr.
Tells Of Trouble witch Led MP to
strikc in Anthracite isegior
Indianapolis, Sept H.-In order to
place before the public the conditions
existing in the anthracite fleldsiof Penn
isylvania, President John Mitchell and
Secretary Treasurer w. B. Wilson of
the United Mine Workers Of America
issued to the public statement giving
in detail the causes that have led to the,
strike.
out for publication, President Mitchell
said:
AT this time I do not believe any
thing Will transpire between now and
Monday that will prevent the strike. All
Information coming to my Office predicts
that the struggle is practically on.
II have been receiving messages all
day from the anthracite region, which
the strike and the issuance of the order
has met with the approval Of the min
ers There are a few details to be arr
ranged, but the men are prepared for
| the fight. Ihavefnot received today any
Information direct or indirect to show
THAT the operators have receded from
their position"
In the statement Issued the board says
that no one can have greater appre-
citation OF the far-reaching effect of a
strike of the anthracite coal miner.
tim they. that the coal miners and
their families. the coal companies and
! coal carrying railroads are but small
portion OF the vast multitude whose in
terests will suffer.
The domestic fuel supply of the west,
they say, the great manufacturing in
ldustries Of the east; the wholesale and
retail business establishments: the grea,
ocean, lake, canal and railroad trans
4 portation interests: aboring men and
|capitalits. will all be affected by such
q gigantic struggle.
They assert that the average wages
of the anthracite miners for many years
has been less than $3.50 annually. and
4 during that period of time the cost OF
many OF the necessaries OF life has beer
increased over 20 per cent. Continuing
the statement says:
i The laws Of the state OF Pennsylva.
MIA make 2,400 pounds ton of anthra-
cite coal. yet anthracite coal miners aYt
compelled to mine from 100 to 40nl
pounds for ton and in addition TO thai
are docked exorbitant amounts. offer
Preaching 12 per cent of their daily ears.,
Iings. for any impurities which may b:
sent out with their coal
They are compelled to purchase tl1s
powder used in mining from their EN-;
ployers, paying $2.75 per keg for q gradi
j of powder that can be purchased else,
where for s1.50 per keg, and which
4 Iwholesales for about 81 per keg. The,
i are required by many of the conpanie!
4 Ito deal in .pluckme' stores, or leav,
their employment. They must pay t
the company 81 per month for doctor
A 8l8whether they need him or not, and hav,
4 no voice in saying who the doctor shal
be. The smallness Of their earnings, to
i |gether With the great cost Of living. ha
4 'tcompelled them to take their children
4 from school before they have reached
the age prescribed by the law and plac
them at work IN the breakers. In ords
to keep the family from starvation.
When the representatives of tn,
miners Of the whole region have me
and asked the coal companies. to NEE
them in joint convention to arrang
Iwages and conditions upon an equitabl
basis, their petition for a conference
has been completely ignored.
q When the business men, clerggmei
!. and other outside influences have ap
q pealed to the. coal companies to c0rrec
h some of the evils complained of. thei
lrequests have been denied, and when. a
4 a last resort, the officers of our organi
1 zatfon have wired the 8presidentssOf tn
lgreat railroad companies who contro
the anthracite coal fields, Offering I,
!. submit the whole question to arbitra
4 ton, the proposition has been treatet
4. with silent contempt. Having exhauste,
lall other means Of adj djustment, we ha,
y T.
Preached the point where We must eithe
advise the miners Of the anthracite re
glon To- continue working under thes
unjust and tyrannical conditions o
counsel strike. We have chosen tn
latter. and having done 30 we invite
thorough. impartial and public trves
!, litigation OF the cond tions existing in tn
!. anthracite coal fields.
We appeal to the American peopl'
and TO the American press as the great
est arbitere on earth to assist us AM
eustaiR W In our hour Of trial. Z
There n practically no means Of ar
riving sat any estimate OF the resource
OF the minerS available for the main
'ttenance of the people 10 be called on
y by thef strike. President Mitchell IN