The Portland daily press., 1900-09-14
Wages have Averaged
Less Than $3.50 Year.
Men Are Well Provided with
Funds for Strike.

Indianapolis, Ind. September 49,
President John Mitchell and Secretary
Treasurer w. B. Wilson of the United
Mine Workers of America, issued today
to the public a statement giving in de-
tail the causes that have led up to the
strike.
After the statement had been given
out for publication, President Mitchell
said:
AT this time do not believe any
thing Will transpire between now and
Monday that viii prevent the stri ke.
Il have been receiving messages all
day from the anthracite region which
indicates that the Issuance OF the order
has met with the approval of the miners.
The statement issued says that the men,
bers of the national board fully realize
the effect of the strike on the vast null
titude whose interests are directly and
Indirectly affected. but it is thought
proper to submit few facts In order
that the world may know that everything
has been done that honorable men could
do. The average wages Of the anthracite
miners 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
The laws of the State Of Pennsylvania
make 24OO pounds ton of anthracite
coal, yet anthracite coal miners are
compelled to mine from 27OO to 1000
pounds forza ton, and in addition to that
are docked exorbitant amounts for any
impurities which may be sent out
with their coal. Where they are paid by
the car they have gradually been COM
PEELED to increase the amount OF coal in
each car by building the same perpen
dicularly from TO IS inches above the
edge. They are compelled to purchase
ths powder used in mining from their
employees, paying s. 70 per keg for a
grade of powder that can be purchased
elsewhere for 81 90 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 employment. They must pay to
the company 81 per month for doctor
whether they need him OF not, and have
no voice in saying who the doctor shall
be. The smallness of their earnings, TO-
gether with the great cost Of living, has
compelled them to take their children
from school before they reached the age
prescribed by law and place them at
work in the breakers in order to keep the
family from starvation. When any miner,
feeling the burden Of these conditions.
ha t0
to have them removed, he has told If
he does not like it, he can quit.
Having exhausted all other means of
adjustment, we had reached the point
where we must advise the miners of the
anthracite region to continue working
under these unjust and tyrannical con-
ditions or counsel a strike. We have
chosen the latter and having done so,
we invite a thorough, impartial and pub
lilo investigation Of the conditions exist
ing in the anthracite coal fields"
Secretary Treasurer Wilson and his
force of clerks were busy today answer
ing the heavy mail that came in touch
ing upon strike matters, and throughout
all Of the offices there was an air of SUB |
dued exoitement.
There is practically no means OF arriv-
ing at any estimate of the resources of |
the miners available for the maintenance
of the people to be called out by the
strike.
Aside from the money in the hands of
the national executive board, local union
in number Of states haves accumulated |
large sums of money in their treasures
which, while not at the command OF
the executive officers of the organization
VIII probably be placed in the strike
fund.
Con tributions from other trades union |
can be counted on and from these facts
1t can be seen the miners are prepared |
for long fight. Saturday night Presi-
dent Mitchell will go to Hazleton and
form the different points OF the field for |
the purpose of holding mass meetings.