The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-30
FALsFH0ODS ABOUT TINE MINERS.
Misrepresentation That Excite indignation
in the Anthracite Region.

SCRANTON, Pa, Sept. 20 People not living
in this community can scarcely appreciate thein-
diCnation felt and expressed here over the publi-
cation in certain New York and Philadelphia
newspapers Of statements and pictures grossly
misrepresenting the condition Of the miners
Of this region and their true place
I'm the social scale. The miners have been
pictured as living in novels. as being virtu-
ally on the verge Of starvation. as re-
ceiving scarcely enough TO clothe them in
rags and to feed them in niggardlv fashion,
Nothing could be further from the truth
than statements Of this kind. And the miners
realize that such reports are doing them an
amount Of harm that those living at a distance
cannot properly estimate. For il redress
Of grievances is secured II must be obtained
here at home where the full facts are known
and not at remote points where a false scnti-
ment has been stirred up 10y unfounded tales.
And tho miners really fear that they will no
suspected a. having inspired these stories.
As a matter Of fact the miner is a very i'm
portant and generally a very highly respected
element in this and in fret in all the anthra-
cite coal mining communities now and then you
will find one densely ignorant and vicious. an
other whose lack Of thrift and appetite for
strong drink have compelled him 10 live in a
howell such as has been pictured but such cases
are the exception and not the rule. The average
miner i just as Intelligent, just as well clothed.
just as we'll fed. and lust as well housed as any
other high grade workman. He is a factor
In the local political system; is frequently a
candidate for office: sits in the city councils.
upon the poor boards and upon the school
boards. becomes a deacon In his church. or
a Sunday school superintendent, and in fact
performs all tho duties Of a responsible citizen.
Many minor. mako as pond GagpG "a : tho hact
mechanics and their homes are in very many
instances models Of neatness and comfort.
4 large proportion own their own homes and
the more thrifty accumulate bank accounts
and enjoy ease in their old age.
Their sons and daughters attend high schools
and training schools and become teachers
and stenographerS. and in the case Of the
men, doctors and lawyers and newspaper
men one Of the most prominent members
nj tho local bar. n graduate of Princeton Uni
vcrsity and a popular man in the highest social
circles, who has just returned from Maine
where his eloquence upon the stump won him
many newspaper compliments, Is the son Of a
miner and worked about tho breakers i'm his
early boyhood Nor is this case an execution
Several OF the men who aspire 20 office In this
Countv this fall either are the sons Of miners
or have been miners themselves Millionaire
John Jermyu worked In the mines when q
Young man and got his financial start there,
and millionaire William Council. who reure-
Scnts this district in Congress. was II miner
when q Young man and l. apparently proud
Of the fact The most distinguished local
vocalist comes from a large mining family
and several scranton clergy men picked Coal
about the h%reakcTS a. boys The list might
be extended 10 q most wcarisome length.
So, tn" pity that has been eNresscd for tho
miner because of false statements and mis-
leading pictures insults rather than plACateS
him Said one of then 10 THE SuN correspond
ent tn" miner of 10" anthracite region does
not ask Tor and does not want pity, he seeks
recognition He believes thai he has a rriav-
Wf84H thuf hl- srtll.LsT Ah.tlH TaNE,.- and 10
l. striking tor Whit he believes To- be- a prin-
Clpl" They uHN remain ont for a long time
10 Vindicat" this idea. and then again they
mHl With great Suddenncss return to their
labors provided that their employer are willing
10 receive them back again. but whatever
the outcome Of the strike the miner doe. -ot
want his social condition deprecated.