Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-15
THE SIDE OF THE
STRIKING MINERS.
The Causes That Led up to Their
Action.
THE CHOICE OF TWO EVILS.
President John Mitchell and Secretary w.
ID. Wilson. of the United Mine workers
of America. Make n Statement to the
Public, In Which, the Grievances of the
Anthracite Coal Miners are Set Forth
The Average Wages The Company
Stores An Appeal.
tBy Telegraph to vlrrinian-pilot,

(By Telegraph to vlrcinan-Piot)
indianapolis, Ind. Sept. 1.-THE
headquarters of the United Mine Work
ers of America is n busy place now. rs
preparations are being made for the
strike ordered to take place Monday.
In order to place before the public~tl,e-
conditions existing in the anthracite
'ltlus oil pennsylvania, President John
Mitchell and Secretary Treasurer w.
Il: wilson. OF the United Mine Workers
OF America. issued to the public a state
ment giving in detail the causes that
nave led up To the strike.
IN BEHALF OF MINERS.
| The statement is addressed 10 ..Tho
American People" and follows.
! ne members Of the National r,xccu-
i've Board of the United Mine Workers
OF America, realizing that the material
welfare of large number of Amar,,n,,
people will be injurlousiy affected by -
prolonged suspension OF work i'm The
| coal fields OF Pennsylvania. l<novin..
the irresistible power of a concentrated
pubic opinion, and having a profound
respect for the opinions of their fellow
men. have decided to make a general
statement Tor the information of the
public.
NO one can have Il greater apprecia-
ton OF the far-rcachng effect of n
strike of the anthracite coal miners
| me coal miners and their families The
coal companies and coal-carrying rail
Ways "re put Il small portion of the
vast multitude whose interests arc co
| directly and indirectly connected with
| Inc coal trade that conflict of such
magnitude will affect their welfare
The domestic fuel supply of the West:
, me Ereat manufacturing industries in
/ & f1at ..1,.,1
ness establishments; the great ocean
| iake. canal and railroad TRANSPORTATION.
iaboring men and capitalists will All be
INJECTED by such n gigantic struggle
| mat The world may know that we hnvo
Gone all That honorable men can do to
avoid this conflict, we herewith submit
d lie" facts Tor careful consideration:
AVERAGE WAGES.
| The average wages OF the antbrncito
miner for many years has been loss
than SEQ annually. During that pcrioo
or time the cost of ngny of the neces-
stiles of life has been increased over
~ per cent. An increase in the cost
OF nNlng without n corresponding in
crease OF wages Is equivalent to n re-
duction OF wages. The laws of the
! state OF Pennsylvania make 2.400 pounds
ton OF anthracite coal, yet anthra-
cite miners are compelled to mine from,
ZOO to 1000 pounds for ton. and in
addition to that they are locked exor-
| buant amounts, often reaching l. per
cent. or their daily earnings for any
| impurities which may be sent out with
their coal. Where they are paid by the
ear, instead of being required 10 fur
nish well-rounded heap on The car az
the breakers, rs was originally agreed
TO, they have gradually been compelled
TO increase the amount of coal in each
car by building the same perpeadicul-
airy from to is inches above the edge.
COMPANY STORES.
"They are compelled to nurchase the
| powdcr used IN mining from their en-.
ployers. paying $2.76 per ieg for n
grade OF powder that can be purchased
anywhere for $1.50 per keg, and which
| WHOLESALERS for about 81 per keg. They
are required by many OF the companies
to deal in pluck-mc stores or leave
their employment. They must pay to
the company 81 per month for n doctor,
whether they need him or not. ana
have no voice in saying who the doctor
shall be. The smalncss of their earn
ings together with the great cost OF
living, has compelled them to take their
children from school and place them at
work i'll the breakers, in order to keep
! the family from starvation.
CHOICE OF TWO EVILS.
Having exhausted all other means
! of adjustment, we had reached the
| point where we must either advise the
miners of the anthracite region TO con-
| tinue working under those unjust and
tyrannical conditions or counsel strike
! We have chosen the latter. and. having
| done so, we invite a thorough, impair
tial and public investigation of the
| conditions existing in the anthracite
| coal fields. We believe that the great
| American heart throbs with sympathy
| for the down trodden and oppressed
whether in this OF any other land. We
! know the great power of the public
press in moulding public opinion. With
an abiding faith in the Justice of our
cause and conscientious knowledge
that whatsoever else may Villifv and
abuse us, the great Jehovah knows
and understands the rectitude OF our
, purpose, we appeal to the America n
people and to the American press as
| the greatest arbiterS on earth to as
sist us and sustain us in our hour OF
trial"
OFFICERS HIGHLY PLEASED
Indianapolis, Ind. Sept 1i.-John
Mitchell, president. and w. Il. Wilson.
secretary of the United Mine
Workers of America. to-day say they
arc very highly pleased with the man
ner in which the general anthracite
coal strike order has been received by
the public. Mitchell says he regrets
| deeply that politicians are undertake
ing to make capital out of the strike.
II had hoped" said he, that there
would be no political significance at
| tached to so serious a matter as this
great strike, INVOLVING. as it does. the
very living of 1i3,o0o wage earners.
who have felt the merciless foot of
capital for two decades"
ALB DOUBT REMOVED.
Scranton, Pa, Sept. 1i.-There is no
longer any question as to a general
IL not complete tie up OF the mines il,