The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-09-19


NEW YORK. Sept. B.--John b. Gar
rett. ylce-president OF the Lehigh Coal
Company. In an interview made the
following statement IN review Of the
various grievances alleged By the Unit
ed Mine Workers 10 exist In the an
thraclte coal flelds
This company conducts no stores nor
does II exert any influence upon en-
DlOyes to prefer one merchant above
another. II employs no doctors and
makes no charges against its employees
for medical services 10 them or their
families. Inquiry has satisfied me that
the above Is also the case with the COM
panles generally.
'Semi-mOnthly pay Is observed by US
In few cases. being compiled with In all
cases In which the men have demanded
" II would be observed anywhere
were the demand made as called for
by law.
The use Of the word ton as applied
10 SSG0 pounds Is misnomer; 1t is sim
ply unit Of measure which might be
called car or a cart load or by any
other name. and Is the quantity OF act
ual coal plus bone. slate and other for
eign material for the removal Of which
a certain payment IS made under the
agreed scale Of wages. y
The price charged for powder Is an
apparent but not a real grievance. In
some regions S2.75 per keg Is charged
in others S1.50 per keg. This Of itself
should be sufficient evidence that the
compensation OF the miner Is set in
dependently Of the price Of powder, as
a net return for a days labar must be
essentially the same in neighboring
fields whether one or the other price is
charged for the powder.
Another evidence that the price Of
powder does not create an injury to the
miner is shown by the fact that when
the subject was agitated some time ago
one OF the largest companies offered to
reduce the charge for powder to its
then current value provided the men
would consent TO such revision Of their
wages as would continue the same
compensation for their labor as they
had previously received under the
agreement which was then operative.
This was promptly rejected. showing
that their purpose was to effect an in
crease Of wages and that II this could
not be obtained they preferred to main
tain the apparent grievance which
could be and has been from that time
to this used as a ground Of complaint
Of unfair treatment
Eliminating the foregoing grievances
from the list formulated by the United
Mine Workers. nothing whatever re-
mains but a general demand for in
creased pay and Recognition Of this orr
der as the agency through which differ
ences should be adjusted"
William S. Thorne. a director of the
Pennsylvania Coal Company, made this
statement after a talk with the COM
pany's mine superintendent over the
long distance wire:
We operate thirteen collieries and all
but two are closed. The strike appears
10 be general throughout the mining
districts. Many men have reported in
our mines but hardly enough TO justify
working the two eollieries. so that it
is probable that they win be closed.
THE tie Up will doubtless last a week
and then the men will begin to get dis
satisfied and will want 20 return to
work. The miners. as far as We can
learn, have not sufficient resources to
carry on a prolonged strike. Should the
strike continue for long time railroad
earnings will Of course be affected.
The operators can hold out for at
least six months. II is our custom 10
carry on our books orders for six
months in advance. We have a fair
supply on hand. Retailers, especially
in the country. hold good sized stock.
I think the situation iustifies an ad-
vance in prices.
We anticipate nc trouble at our
mines. Extra watchmen have been
hired but this is the only precaution
which We have taken. do not think
that any pauper labor win be imported
unless the strike should be prolonged" I"