The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-14

sideration OF the trouble from the stand
point CT miner and operator. The circular
says:
THE members OF the national executive
board Of the United Mine Workers of
America. realizing that the material well
fare OF a large number OF American people
will be injuriousiy affected By prolonged
Suspension OF work in the coal fields of
Pennsylvania, knowing the irresistible pow
er OF a concentrated public opinion and
having a profound respect for the opinions
OF their fellow-nen. have decided 10 make
a general statement for the information of
the public.
No one can have a greater appreciation
of the far-reaching effect of strike of the
anthracite coal miners. The coal miners
and their families. the coal companies and
coal-carrying railroads are but a small por-
ton OF the vast multitude whose interests
are directly and Indirectly connected
with the coal trade that a conflict of such
magnitude VIII affect their welfare.
"The domestic fuel supply Of the West;
the great manufacturing industries of the
East; the wholesale and retail business es-
adjustments; the great ocean, lake, canal
and railroad transportation interests. Ia
boring men and capitalists, will all be af-
fected by such a gigantic struggle. That
the world may know that we have done
| all that honorable men can do To avoid this
conflict herewith submit few facts
| for careful consideration
THE average wages Of the anthracite
miner for many years have been less than
| $3.50 annually. During that period OF time
the cost OF many of the necessaries Of life
has been increased over 20 per cent An
Increase in the cost of living. without a
corresponding increase of wages, is equiv
alent TO a reduction in wages.
''The laws OF the State OF Pennsylvania
make 2. 100 pounds ton OF anthracite coal.
| yet antracite miners compelled to mine
! from 200 to 1000 pounds for a ton. and. in
| addition 10 that. are docked exorbitant
| amounts. often reaching Il per cent. of
4
1 which may be sent out with their coal.
| Where they are paid by the car, instead
/ of being required to furnish a well-rounded
heap on the car at the breakers, az was
| originally agreed to, they have gradually
1 been compelled to increase the amount of
/ coal I'm each car by building the same per-
/ pendicuarly from six to eighteen inches
above the edge They are compelled to
/ purchase the powder used In mining from
| their employers, paying $40 per keg for
| grade of powder that can be purchased
/ elsewhere for $50 per keg and which
| WHOLESALERS for about 81 per keg. They are
| required by many of the companies To deal
| In 'pluck-me stores or leave their employ
/ ment. They must pay to the company 81
per month for a doctor, whether they need
| him not, and have voice I'm saying
| who the doctor shall be. The smallness OF
| their earnings, together with the great
/ cost of living. has compelled them TO take
| their children from school before they have
| reached the age prescribed by law and
| place them at work I'm the breakers in or
| der to keep the family from starvation.
| when any miner. feeling the burden OF
/ these conditions has gone to the manage
| ment and asked to have them removed. he
| has been told IL he does not like Ii he can
| quit. When they have organized at any
| coliery and have sent committees to the
| management asking to have their griev-
| ances remedied the committee has either
| been discharged or they have been told
| that the evils could not be remedied be-
cause of the competition from other COM
| panies. When the representatives of the
| miners OF the whole region have met and
| asked the coal companies TO meet them in
joint convention TO arrange wages and con-
| ditions upon equit bile basis that
| each would know what his competitor was
paying and no advantage could be taken
CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE)