Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-10-17
LABOR WAS PROTECTED
Why Republican Candidates Are
Strong In the Coal Regions.
PARTY LEADERS ARE POPULAR


PARTY LEADERS ARE POPULAR
Many Bills Passed at the Last Session
of the Legislature In the Interest
of the Miners Are Not Forgotten
BY the Voters.
A special dispatch from PottsvilIe
says that the Republican leaders in the
coal region counties are confident of
polling a large vote for the whole Re-
publican ticket this fall on account
of the great satisfaction expressed
among the coal miners over the leg
islation procured for the interest of the
workingmen at the last session of the
legislature
The committee of the Miners organi-
zation that spent all winter at Harris
burg watching legislation returned
home with many victories to their
credit
For years the miners had been
knocking at the doors of the general
assembly for remedial legislation but
there was always some obstacle pre-
sented to their getting what they
wanted.
The outcome Of the session was so
gratifying that at a recent convention
Of miners, when supporters Of the in
surgents attempted to have passed
resolutions condemnng the recent leg
isature. they were promptly suppress
ed by the delegates in the convention.
Enumeration of a few Of the meas
ures passed in the interest of miners,
showing the solicitous concern The Re
publican leaders have for the laboring
interests of the state is given:
The powder bill, which was de-
manded by the miners and which be-
Ehme a law, provides that all Eegs Of
powder shall contain not less than 20
pounds, and that no one but ne origi-
nal owner shall refill a keg for sale.
The practice among %nscrUpulous Opsr-
ators had been to lIy kegs in which
standard grades c. pCwGer had been
sold and refill them with damp powder
of an inferior grade Frequently these
kegs, which we're supposed to contain
% pounds, were two or three pounds
short. The bill provides penalty Of
$500 for each violation OF the provi-
sions of this act.
MANY GOOD BILLS.
The medical bill, ," which was passed
and signed by Governor Stone, provides
that there shall be room at the bot
tom Of the shaft or mine, not less than
eight feet by ten feet, which shall CON
tain bed, bandages, splint. cotton and
medical appliances for the proper
treatment of miners who are hurt in
the mines or otherwise hurt, and who
If taken out of the shaft into the open
air might be fatally affected by sud
den change of temperature. This act
is designed to avoid the necessity Of
transferring injured persons to hos
pitfalls when that is undesirable.
The mine inspectors bill' did not
become d law until after a hard fight
II provides for an increase in the mum
ber Of mine inspectors from eight to
Is, and provides that the inspectors
shall be elected by the people instead
Of appointed by the governor, as has
been the practice. This bill was passed
on account Of complaints of miners
of the inability Of the mine inspectors
TO make the requisite number Of in
spectiOns. Some inspectors have as
many as 40 collieries TO inspect every
month. The new law requires that all
candidates to be voted for for mine
inspectors shall have passed an ex-
animation before the mine examining
board. with an average of at least 90
per cent.
THE STORE ORDER BILL
The famous store order" bill, which
attracted attention owing to the pecu-
liar methods resorted to in the effort
to block its passage. was passed after
many obstacles had been overcome
This bill is regarded by the miners as
one of the most meritOriOus measures
Of the session. 1t provides for pay
ment Of wages of all employees in cash
and prevents a continuance Of the sys-
TEN Of granting orders on different
stores in some Of which the mine oper-
ators have a financial interest. The
result of the passage of this bill is
already shown in a changing of the
methods of certain corporations. which
are now paying in cash instead Of by
checks Orders, cash books. etc. given
in lieu Of wages, shall be taxed 25
per cent.
All Of these bills were signed by
Governor Stone without hesitation.
The committee Of the mine workers
Of the Schuyhill region that were .
last in attendance at Harrisburg were
more successful than any other dele
cation that had been looking after any
interests. They closely followed all
their bills and were persistent In pres
sing for their passage.