The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-06
MINE OPERATORS REPLY
Statement Gf Their Position Form
ulated i'm New York.
A Refusal to Trent with the United
Mine WOrkers-Impossi to Raise
wages Mt Present-Powder to lie
Maintained nt the Present Price
A Long ana Costly Strike Feared.

| NEW YORK, Sept 5.-A committe.
/ representing the anthracite coal mine
owners and operators met at the Central
Railroad building. 14S Liberty Street to-
| day and agreed upon an answer to be
made through the newspapers to the
recent demanGs made by the United
| Mine Workers OF America. The executive
committee of the United Mine Workers
| is to meet at Indianapolis tomorrow to
| decide whether or not they will order q
strike
| Those present at the meeting today
were the representatives of the Lehigh
Valley Coal Company and of the mining
| interests of the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western. The reply agreed upon by
the owners and operators was, in part
as follows:
The United Mine Workers and their
leaders are composed of soft coal mer
not familiar with the conditions of an
thracite mining. The association of our
men with the soft coal districts we be-
iieve to be antagonistic to the best in
terests of the men and our own The
soft coal interests would reap the bene-
fits of any troubles or strikes caused by
that organization in the anthracite re-
gion, and our judgment in refusing to
confer with these foreign interests is
confirmed by the methods they pursue
The facts are that the scale of wages
has not been reduced in over twenty
years, notwithstanding the numerous
periods of business depression and re-
peated reductions in the soft coal mining
regions, which enables the soft coal oper-
ators to mine at such a low cost as TO
take away large percentage of business
formerly supplied by anthracite coal Not
only has there been no reduction in wages
or earnings of the men in the anthracite
region, but advancements have been made
in great many mines to meet changing
conditions, and it is a fact that this year
anthracite labor has been fully employed,
getting more days work and consequently
larger earnings, than has been possible
II many years.
"Second-The statement of .he mine
workers that The market prices of coal are
higher than in many years is not true The
average prices are not higher now than in
recent years, and are much below the
prices received in 1892. The profits Of the
business have decreased largely, due to the
increased cost of mining coal from lower
depths and longer distances under ground,
and have also been materially decreased,
due to the rise in prices of materials used
around the eolleries. This has affected all
of the companies very severely. AS TO their
demand that We increase the price OF coal
to the public in order to increase their
wages, We cannot do this under existing
conditions and retain the market for an
thracite coal against btuminous coal.
"Third-Regarding the powder question.
II is true that the price charged to the
miner for powder is much above its pres
ent cost but the question as represented by
the agitators is very misleading The wage
of the miner today is not less than it was
agreed upon when the price of powder was
fixed. In other words, the price of powder
was agreed upon and is used as basis OF
arriving at the rate paid the miner for
coal mined, and a miner paying $40 per
keg for powder receives in net earnings as
much for his work as the miner paying
only $3.50 per keg In other districts. ANY
reduction in powder price Is equivalent to
an advance in wages.
"Fourth-The statement that the neces-
sares of life have advanced in price so per
cent is also untrue.
''Fifth-The statements in regard to the
company stores are also untrue. None
of the large companies has any connec-
tion with, nor do they collect for stores.
The men are paid in cash between the
1st and Goth Of the month for the preceding
month, and so compulsory collections are
made for stores aid Loctors from the min
ers. It Is a fact that a small percentage
of individual operators run so-called
company stores II connection with their
mines. This is usually due to the fact
that mines are isolat ed and the stores are
run for the convenience of the men. No
compulsory trade is allowed. Regarding
the semi monthly paw, there has been no
refusal to comply with the law where a
request has been made by the employees.
The statement in regard to being COM
PEELED to employ a company doctor is also
untrue. The operators have always met
their employees and accorded them cour-
teous treatment and patient hearing. Our
inability to grant general increase of
wages should not be a cause for a strike
The other demands Z the foreign organ
ization could not Je considered under pres
ent circumstances. Miners wages aver
age from 80 to "a per day In fact, the
wages paid for mining labor compare
fayorably and are as high. if not higher,
as paid for the same class of labor by
and other industries.
"Sixth-The United Mine Workers Of
A:osrica are trying TO mislead the public
hy making false statements of member
ship. Our Investigations show that not
over 10 per cent of the labor employed
in the entire anthracite region are men,
bers of this organization and only a small
proportion of the members desire a strike.
The conservative element among our en-
ployes do not sympathize with the strike
We would be pleased If the
conditions warranted a general advance
in wages. Unfortunately they do not
We feel that the organization of the
United Mine Workers is liable to precipi-
tate an unfortunate and costly struggle
between us and our employees, who have
in the past met and discussed and adjust
cd grievances without dictation from out
side influence. We do not court strike.
and would gladly avoid it and trust that
our men will consider carefully before
being led further aloSg by promises that
cannot be realized. Our position is tax
en- after due delberation. and we believe
is for the best interests of the workman,
his family, the business interests. and
ourselves"