The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-14

INDIANAPOLIS Ind. Sept. is-In or
der to place before the public the con-
ditions existing In the anthracite fields
of Pennsylvania. President John Mitchell
and Secretary Treasurer w. b. Wilson,
OF the United Mine Workers OF America.
issued today TO the public statement
giving the causes that have led up to
the strike.
After the statement had been given out
for publication, President Mitchell said:
"At this time DO not believe anything
win take place between now and Mon
day THAI will prevent the strike. All
the Information coming to my office today
predicts that the struggle Is practical
ly on.
II have been receiving messages all day
from the anthracite region. which indi-
cate clearly that the Endorsement of the
strike and the issuance OF the order has
met with the approval of the miners.
There are n few details TO be arranged.
but the men are prepared for the fight
l have NOT received today any informa-
tion. direct or indirect. to show that tho
operators have receded from their posi-
tion."
Mr. MitcheiI'a Statement.
Indianapolis, Ind. Sept H.
'"The members OF the national execu-
tive board OF the United Mine Workers
Of America, realizing that the material
welfare Of a large number OF the Anleri-
can people VIII be iniuriously affected by
suspension OF work In the coal fields
OF Pennsylvania, knowing the irresisti-
BILE power OF a concentrated public opin-
the the opinions off their fellow fellow men. have i've
decided to make n general statement for
the Information OF the public.
mo one can have a greater apprecia-
- ~ "a afr he
Of the anthracite coal miners. The coal
miners and their families. the coal COM
panies and the coai-carrying railways are
but a small portion of the vast multi
tude whose interests are so directly and
indirectly connected with the coal trade
that conflict OF such magnitude will
affect their welfare.
, THE domestic fuel supply Of the West :
the great manufacturing industries OF the
East; the wholesale and retall business
establishments; the great ocean. lake.
canal and railroad transportation inter-
ests. laboring men and capitalists, viii
all be affected by such n gigantic strug-
gle. That the world may know that we
have done all that honorable mon can do
20 avoid the conflict, we herewith submit
a few facts for careful consideration.
Average Wages OF Miners.
"rhe average wages OF the anthracite
miner for many years has been less than
$50 annually. During that period Of time
the cost of many OF the necessaries OF
life has been increased over % per rant
An increase in the cost OF living without
corresponding Increase OF wages Is
equivalent to n reduction In wages.
THE laws OF the state Of pennsvlva-
MIA make 2s0o pounds a ton OF anthra-
cite coal yet anthracite coal miners are
compelled to mine from rtS TO 400 pounds
for n ton. and In addition 10 that are
docked exorhitant amounts. often reach
ing y per cent OF their daily earnings.
for any. impurities which may be sent
out with their coal. Where they are
paid w the car. instead of being required
20 furnish a wcll-rounded head on the
car at the breakers. as was originally
agreed TO, they have gradually been COM
PEELED 10 increase the arpouat of coal in
each car BY building the same perpen-
dicuiariy from six 20 eighteen inches above
the edge. They are compelled 20 pur-
chase the powder used IN mining from
their employers. paying ta75 per keg for
a grade Of powder thai can he pur-
chased elsewhere for $40 per keg and
They are required b many OF the COM
panies 10 deal In 'pisck-fne' stores, dr
leave their employment. They must pay
,or. whether they reed him Or not. and
shall se.
the smallest q their earnlnss. TO-
Eelher with the great cost ef living. has
compelled them TO take their CHILDREN
from school hafoFe they have reached the
age prescribed hy law. AMI place thcrn
~ work in the breakers IN order 70 Keep
thn family from starvation.
Failure of Arbitration.
when any miner. feeling the burden
OF these conditions has gore 20 the man.
agsmeat sud asked 70 have them re-
moved. he has a~en told thar II he does
not like II ne can quit. When they have
aFEarized Ef any roilieTy, Nna have SER,
committees 70 the management asking
TO have their grievances fenealed tbs
committee have either been DISCHARGED
or they have neea told that the evils
coula wnt BE rernee led because ~ tha
competition from other companies When
the representatives of the miners as ths
whole region have naet ari A4ked ma
coal companies 20 meet them IN Joint
c1uvsuiien 90 arrange vaSrt ana con-
dltssns upon an equitable bas3s, 30 tha'
aarh wili knDw Nhaf BIS competitor Nas
paying, ana no ADVANTAGE could Be taken
n anyens their pstltlq1 for Z apafeF-
ynee has h@Nn completely tEmnrCd
when ~ business men. csergyr.eH.
and other oufsiAe Influences have ap-
peaioi 10 the coal companies - c@rrec,
RnseN ~ the evils caFngiAlnea ~ fhqir
requests havc been denied. and Nben,
as = last fesnft. tHe otnrers ~ oar or
ganiza tium have wired tire presidents q,
the great raiinAv companies who tantrol
tha anthracite seal Aeils Offering - SUD-
suit the wkrts question 10 ar1itFatisn.
tire proposition has hGca treated @fth
silent contempt Having exhausted Oh
o,her means 81 adjustment. we have
reached IRE point where We must either
advise 'he miners 20 The anthracite r.
Elun 90 continue working under these TN
fust amA tyrAEnicsi ennditians, or coaA-
SCI a strike
Appeal 10 Public
I'VE have chosen the latter. and. having
/. done so. we snv..e - thorough, impartial