Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-17

dangers are many and all the precau- |
tons he may take are not always eff
fective in preventing casualties.
Although the requirements upon the
operator are largely in the miners in
terests for his preservation and pro
lection while at work, and notwith-
starding he may be diligent and care.
f4l in the pursuance of his duties re-
gaiGing ventilation and the safe con-
dition of the mine, yet there are many
unforeseen dangers connected with
his work and very frequently accidents
haopeI that can hardly be accounted
for, showing the fact that danger
turks in every entry, room and road
way. No matter how much discretion
or caution the miner may exercise for
his safety accidents are always liable
to occur without warning and with ia
tai results, or else he may be crippled
for life, very often being the father of
a family dependent upon him for sup
port.
Thus the risk and exposure of the
miner in connection with his work
would naturally entitle him to be con-
sidered in the councils which govern
his wo.k and also to regulate the price
of his labor. This has been denied
him in the past but since organization
has come he is receiving the recogni-
ton that is due him, and l am pleased
to note that the operator who recog-
nizes the Just rights of labor are best
pleased with their business. They
have the full confidence and respect
| of the men without which not enter
prise in this, age can be successfully
conducted.
And too, complete success can only
be obtained by joint conferences, for
it is a well established fact that con-
fidente is the only agency that can
reconcile the interests of the Miners
and operators when differences arise
between them and place them OIL a
substantial, harmonious basis.
1t is evident that strikes usually oc-
cur on the impulse of the moment;
always from an uncompromising ele.
ment of organized labor and invariably
| from the lack Of confidence in the op-
orator. But none of the trouDles
arising from these causes have ever
been very successful in establishing
| favorable results.
Nevertheless organized labor is nee.
essary and needful to a great extent
if properly managed; but when con.
trolled By rash, radical, and extreme
element, guided more or, less by out
side influences, it becomes detriment
al to business and in the main merits
the contempt and tends to lead cap
ital to combine for protection, there
by widening the breach between the
operator and the miner, who otherwise
would be united in one common effort
for the purpose of contributing to the
welfare IF the coal industry. The es
Etatllshment of full confidence in and
resaect for each other, the operator
and men would overcome great many
existing evils and strikes and lock
, outs would be thing of the past.
! Exercise at all times good judg
ment and moderation in the ligh,
that each has rights that the Other
should respect, keeping in mind at al
! times the fact that the man who fur
: nished the muscle at the risk Of his
: life to mine coal should be credited II
their business relation as being equa
, TO the man who furnishes the capita
: to operate the mines.
In conclusion j will say that both OPP
orator and miner should do away witt
prejudice and avoid competition in re
gard to wages Endeavor to estab
iish confidence In the trade and at al
4 times protect home markets In the in
8 lfsrest Of both operator and miner