Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-03-12

of the evils resulting from firing
twice day. This is well recogniz.
ed fact, and the following resolution
affecting the situation, was adopted
this morning:
The operators shall decide as to
the necessity of firing twice a day but
1t is understood that where by firing
once a day the output of the mine will
not be reduced the same will be done,
but the right to return to twice a day
firing at any mine when found neces-
sary, shall not be questioned.
House Rent.
i Lawrence Love (miner) of Hooking
introduced resolution providing that
where a company owns houses the
rent shall be 81 per room This
brought out a great deal of discussion
Several of the miners cited cases
where the houses are announcement,
have small rooms, are out of repair,
ETC., but after several minutes of argu-
ment it was decided that this is only
a local question and should be handled
locally. Accordingly the resolution
was voted down and will be consider
ed locally.
Coal to Miner.
Mr.. Love introduced another reso-
luton to the effect that a miner be
sold coal for the price of hauling it,
This brought out considerable discus
sion also. From the remarks it was
evident that this matter varies in diff
ferent localities. Different prices are
granted miners from different mines.
. One of the complaints raised by the
, miners is that the price for hauling is
too high in several places.
Mr.. Reese moved as substitute
for the proposed resolution, that
house coal shall be sold to the
miners at contract price for such coal
Iplus reasonable price for hauling
, where the company does the deliver
ing. This, however, was voted down
by few on the operators side.
This resulted in much dissatisfac-
!. ton on the part of the miners who
. regard this as an injustice. Mr.Reese
took occasion to say to the operators
that if strike is declared on this ac-
count the miners cannot be said to be
, violating the agreement between ope.
rator and miner. The argument
made by the miners that employees in
any other line of business do not pay
market price for anything sold in the
: establishments where they are en-
ployed, and on this account the min.
ers say they should have the same
: privileges.
Matter of Holidays.
Hon. H. l.. Waterman presented a
! resolution late yesterday afternoon
providing that man absenting him
!, self from his work in or about the
! mine, without good excuse, shall be
9 discharged. This was voted down by
3 the miners, as was expected, but they
admitted that some miners take toe
much time away from work. II
was thought, however, that Mr.. Wat
matter and it was accordingly drop
; ped.
, About Mules.
The matter of drivers time was the
topic for considerable discussion dur
ing the same session.
Resolution No. of the Des Moines
scale was taken up yesterday
afternoon for adoption. 1t contains
clause providing that drivers time
shall begin when they are at theil
r objected to, saying that in some in
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OPP work scale. :
: The matter of top work scale wa
taken up. Mr.. Reese said that tn
: engineers and some other classes
have been admitted to the Unite'
Mine Workers of America. 1t wa
: explained that the plan of the organi
J cation is to pay the engineers on tn
i eight-hour day basis and to pay over
IN order I'd r. to o.,s separate the tv