The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-15
THE ANTHRACITE COAL STRIKE.

1t is a notorious fact that for years there
have been more strikes and disturbances in
the coal-producing industry than in all
pected. Three years ago there was a strike
in most of the coal mines in Indiana In
1897 there was coal miners strike through
out the same region where strike is now
ordered. Last spring the mine operators
and the representatives of the miners met
in this city, and. after long conference,
agreed upon a scale of wages. Since that
time there has been no general difficulty.
Taken as a whole, the workmen in and
about mines receive less wages than any
other class of labor. taking the most reli-
able statistics basis. This is due very
largely to the sharp competition in soft
coal districts, since labor is one of the lead
ing factors in the cost of coal. When the
good wages cannot be paid, as was the case
in 1894. 1895 and 1896. there must be loss and
suffering. The only remedy is a combina-
ton TO keep prices where they will afford
fair wages and profit. This done, dema-
gogues howl about trusts.
In the strike now ordered in the anthra-
cite region the miners justly have the pub
lie sympathy and will have 1t so long as
they act within the law. Their demands
may be unreasonable in some degree, but
statements are true they are underpaid and
are subjected to unreasonable rules. There
is no reason why miners should be COM
PEELED to pay two prices for the powder
they use, or be taxed for the maintenance
of a mine physician, or be compelled to
take their pay at stores belonging to the
coal companies. In this connection 1t is
said that many, If not most of the COM
panies have no stores. This statement is
sustained by the report that the local re-
tailers have refused to sell miners about
TO strike flour sufficient to subsst their
families several weeks. Very generally.
correspondents declare that credit not at
the companies stores. but with all retail
ers. stops when a strike is ordered which
indicates that the miners generally are not
| COhnpChCu " bu1 tACii iOON anu Oh
the companies.
Thus far the mine operators have made
no statement TO the wages paid and the
condition of the miners. If they have a case
| TO Offset that OF the officers of the miners
| organization they should make ii public.
! The public has right to know about a
matter that so seriously affects millions OF
| people. All that the operators have said is
contained in a statement given to Rev. E
| S Phillips, pastor of a large Catholic
| Church in Hazelton, Pa. On Wednesday he
was in conference with the executive Of
| ficers OF "A half dozen of the leading Goa
| companies. the result of which was the
\ following statement:
The operators will receive committees OF
| their own employees whenever they have
them otherwise, desiring a friendly rela.
| tual interests. They will not. however rec
| ognize any outside interference In an,
| manner. Especially at the present time the,
| will not recognize the right OF any organi
| zation subject TO outside influence TO die
! tate the policy under which they will con
| duct their mines.
This means that the companies will no
confer with President Mitchell and his as
sociatss Here u where the deadlock comes