Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-14
CAUSE OF THE STRIKE.
President Mitchell Issues a
Manifesto.
MINERS DEPLoRABLE CONDITION.
Resume of the Wrongs 10 Which
They Are Said to he Subjected.
Situation at HaEIetOn-Most of the
Men VIII Probably Go Out.

SttuhtiOn at HazletOn-MOst OF tne
Men VIII Probably Go Out.
Indianapolis, Sept. 14.-In order to
place before the public the conditions ex-
isting in the anthracite fields of Pennsyl-
vania President John Mitchell and Sec
retaryTreasurer w. B. Wilson of the
United Mine Workers of America have
issued to the public statement giving
in detail the causes that have led up to
the strike.
The statement is as follows
"The members of the national execu-
tive board Of the United Mine Workers
Of America, realizing that the material
welfare of a large number of the Amer-
can people will be injuriously affected by
prolonged suspension of work in the
coalfeds Of Pennsylvania, knowing the
irresistible power Of concentrated pub
lie opinion and having profound respect
for the opinions of their fellow men, have
decided to make a general statement for
the information Of the public. No one
can have greater appreciation of the
farreaching effect Of a strike of the an
thracits coal miners. The coal miners
and their families, the coal companies
and coal carrying railways are but
small portion Of the vast multitude whose
interests are so directly and indirectly
connected with the coal trade that con-
fiict Of such magnitude will affect their
welfare.
"The domestic fuel supply of the west,
the grent manufacturing industries Of the
east, the Wholesale and retail business
establishments, the great ocean, lake, ca
nal and railroad transportation interests,
lnboriDg men and capitalists will all be
affected by such gigantic struggle. That
the world may know that we have done
all that honorable men can do to avoid
the conflict we herewith submit few
facts for careful consideration.
'oThe average wages of the anthracite
miner for many years has 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 equivalent to a reduction in
wages.
Unfair Methods.
'The laws of the state of Pennsylvania
make 2, 400 pounds ton of anthracite
coal. yet anthracite coal miners are COM
PEELED to mine from 2,700 to 1000 pounds
for ton and in addition to that are dock
ed exorbitant amounts, often reaching IL
per cent Of their daily earnings, for any
impurities which may be sent out with
their coal. Where they are paid by the
car instead of being required to furnish
well rounded heap on the car at the
breakers, as was originally agreed to,
they have gradually been compelled to In
crease the amount Of coal In each car by
building the same perpendicularly from
9 to IL inches above the edge. They are
compelled to purchase the powder used in
mining from their employers, paying
$2.75 per keg for grade of powder that
can be purchased elsewhere for 81 80 per
keg which WHOLESALERS for about 81 per
keg. They are required by many of the
companies to deal in pluck me- stores or
leave their employment. They must pay
to the company 81 per month for doc
tor, whether they need him or not, and
have no voice in saying who the doctor
shall be. The smalness 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 in the breakers in order to keep the
family from starvation.
Having exhausted all other means Of
adjustment we have reached the point
where we must either advise the miners
or the anthracite region to continue work
ing under these unjust and tyrannical
conditions or counsel strike. We have
chosen the latter, and having done so we
invite a thorough, impartial and public
investigation of the conditions existing in
the anthracite coalfields. We believe that
the great American heart throbs in SYM
pathy for the downtrodden and oppress-
ed, whether in this or any other land.
I'VE know the great power of the pub
lie press In molding public sentiment.
With an abiding faith in the justice Of
our cause and consciousness of the
knowledge that whosoever else may vilify
and abuse us the Great Jehovah knows
and understands the rectitude Of our pur-
pose we appeal to the American people
and to the American press as the greatest
arbiters on earth to assist us and sustain
I'M Ir, hour OF trinl y