Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-14
TO STOP TROUBLES
Miners and Operators Would Dis
courage Petty Quarrels.
CIRCULAR ADOPTED BY JOINT BOARD
The Leaders OF Both Sides of the
Question Send Greeting to Their CO.
Workers In an Official Circular
Adopted at pes Moines

The joint boards of the operators
and miners OF District No. 13, which
includes Iowa and the northern tier
of counties in Missouri, of which on
ly Putnam county contains coal mines,
met at Des Moines between April 80
and May 2, inclusive, and adopted
circular to be sent to the miners and
operators throughout the district.
Since the last annual joint convention
which was held in this city in March,
there have been several minor trou-
bles which have been allowed to stop
work in some of the mines affected,
thus throwing men out of employment
and losing money for the employers.
The blame for these troubles has
been about equally distributed be-
tween miners and operators it seems,
and the joint board met for the pur-
pose of trying to stop such matters.
The Official Circular.
The circular which was adopted at
the meeting is full Of good advice and
common sense arguments, and, if fol-
lowed, will doubtless put stop to
petty disagreements between employ
ers and employees. 1t is as follows:
Des Moines, Iowa, May 2, 1901.
To the Operators and Miners of Iowa
and Putnam County, Missouri,
Greeting:
At meeting of the joint boards of
operators and miners held in this city
April 80 and May l and 2, 1901, it was
unanimously voted to issue this circl.
lar, believing that large amount III
unnecessary expense, and time can BE-
obviated, and the rights of both oper
ators and miners be better protected
and more clearly understood
/ First. Past experience has demonstrat
ed the fact that many, If not ALL the loca
strikes or shut downs, of the mines. coult
have been avoided provided the annua
agreements We're religousy lived up Il
and faithfully carried out.
Second, Under no circumstances is
strike lockout justifahle or permitted
unless the life or property of either part,
is in jeopardy And We specially urg
that in all cases where disputes of an!
| nature arise, or when an employee is dis
| charged miners must continue at wor
pending a settlement by the proper tribu
nal, and in the event an employe is dis
charged or Disseminated against unjustly
we promise ample relief and recompens
to the injured employee.
Third. When an employc is discharge
the miners president must be notified an
he will attend 10 the matter in person, o
delegate some other subordinate officer t
do so, as soon practicable and conve
nient and if, unable to effect an amicabl
adjustment of the matter, the case sha
then be referred in writing to the Opera
or's and Miners Boards, but miners mus
, continue at work until a final adjustmer
, of the case, or cases.
Fourth. We earnestly hope and expec
that all minor grievances be adjusted
: the mines when such occur and urge bot
/. employer and employee to make all reaso
q able efforts to deal with each other in
= Snirft of fairness and pulJity in all his
S ness relations. etc.
S Fifth. We find that the agreement.
not all that is desired by either the ope
= ator or miner: however. it is a bushes
! contract, entered into by both parties,
n good faith, and if strictly adhered TO al
i lived up to, both in letter and spirit, Il
! future will demonstrate the wisdom of o,
joint movement.
g Respectfully submitted.
) C. II. Morris, Pres. John p. Reese, Pre-
L. l.. Lodwick, Sec. John Z. White, Sc