The bee., 1901-04-04
DOWN IN The MINES.

fraternal orders may be called upon
TO solve some graveproblems. When
a member fails to pay up his month
ly assessments and his failure is due
TO the fact that he has allied himself
with an order which has caused him
f, to lose his Job. is that insurance or
der honor bound TO keep up his as
sessments and thereby carry on his
insurance mt the expense of those
| who continue to work at good wages,
when the same can be done regard
less of the influence of this or that
union? In other words, are men to
be upheld in idlcness at the expense
of those who will work? This ques-
ton. we understand, has already
been brought up in one of the lodges
here and warmly debated, and we
are pleased to note the fact that but
few members can be found in any
order here who arc willing To rob
their own family by donating to those
who have voluntarily chosen life
of idleness and poverty. Justice de-
mands that we first provide for home
and loved ones and never encourage
idleness in any form. So if they de-
sire 70 carry insurance make each
one, except in case Of sickness, pay
his way or quit preying upon the
charity of others. We believe the
orders here will handle this ques-
ton with ungloved hands and that
their decision will be right.
The general reputation of a man
seems to travel about as fast as he
does. A short time ago gentleman
of unquestioned standing in the COM
munity where he resides, in an ad-
joining county, made a business trip
here and while talking over the
threatened labor trouble said: II
understand you have in you midst,
one Agitator Reed, who bears u very
unsavory reputation, and who is re-
garded as very unreliable when
handling the truth" OF conrse our
people knew nothing as to the truth
of the visitors statement, and when
the agitator came all they could do
was TO await developments, and SO
last week the statement of our friend
was verified In the United Mine
Workers Journal, when Reed, over
his signature, tried TO nislead those
away from here and who know moth
ing of the situation by statement
so lacking in facts that even Anan-
! las, if living, would drop his head in
shame. A harder stroke TO the or
gani2ation of which he aspires to he
chief (shall we say liar?) could not
be administered than to have his let
ter issued in pamphlet form for free
distribution throughout the county
( 10 the miners and operators whom
he seeks TO maligu. The whole let
ter is written for purpose and Reed
well knows unless ne can continue
to mislead and deceive those who
supply the filthy lucre his days as an
agitator will soon be numbered.
\ mother and wife of husband
and boys who recently joined the
agitators, was heard to say short
time ago. with tears in her eyes:
1--WE came here almost like trainps,
and had the best job we ever had in
our lives. Our mon folks made more
money working for the st. Bernard
Coal COmpany than they ever dill,
and then 10 think they have joined
the L. NJ. VS. is sad indeed" ADd
while as general thing men ignore
the advice of a woman, it would in
many cases, if needed, keep them
Gut OF trouble.
We understand that the st. Ber-
nard Coal Company will soon begin
the erection of new tip and trostlc.
This viii give employment to a large
force of men for several months.
Just as soon rs piece of property
falls into the hands that company,
Improvement becomes the order of
the day.
Foreman Longstatf aud crew of