Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-11-06
reduction of earnings for all employees
paid by it, hour, days or week.

reduction of earnings for all employees
paid by it, hour, days or week.
The second demand is similar to the
first in that it is designed to increase
the hourly rate of wages of mine wor-
kers employed by the hour, day or
week. and all the reasons applicable
to the first demand are asked to be
applied to the second with repetition.
In addition thereto we submit the
following:
10. The ten hour day is detrimental
to the health, life, and safety and we'll
being of the mine workers.
H. Shorter hours improve the ply
steal, mental and moral conditions of
the workers.
12 Shorter hours increase the in
tensity and efficiency of labor.
49, The tendency of national and
state government of organized trade
and production generally is toward
shorter hours
IA. A working day OF eight hours
is sufficiently long for the best inter-
ests of the working men and the COM
munity.
Third-The adoption of a system by
which coal shall be weighed and paid
| for by weight wherever practicable;
the minimum rate per ton to be sixty
| cents for legal ton of 2,240 pounds;
the differentials now existing at the
various mines to be maintained.
| This demand is made on account Of
the following reasons:
| l. Measurement by legal ton where
ever practicable is the only honest and
| just system of measuring the earnings
| of the mine workers.
2. When the operators sell or trans
port coal it is on the basis of a legal
ton of 2,240 pounds.
g. The excessive ton was originally
intended to compensate the operator
for the weight of the small sizes of
coal which were then discarded but
which are now utilized and sold and
therefore there is no present necessity
for the use of any other than the legal
| ton.
4. The adoption of this system would
remove an incentive both to the opera
tor and the worker, the cheating and
dishonesty, and would allay jealousy
among the miners and prevent unjust
discrimination and favoritism.
5. The change OF the present system
to the one asked for would prove a
strong factor in allaying suspicion and
discomfort among the mine workers.
Fourth-The incorporation in an
agreement between the United Mine
Workers of America and the anthra-
cite coal companies of the wages
which shall be paid and the conditions
OF employment which shall obtain, to-
gether with satisfactory methods for
the adjustment of grievances which
may arise from time to time to the
, end that strikes and lockouts may be
unnecessary.
In support of this demand we sub
, nit the following reasons:
l l. The anthracite mine worker
should not be compelled to make or
sign individual agreements, but should
have the right to form such organi-
cation and choose such agents and
!. officers as they desire to act collective
ly instead OF individually when they
: deem that their best interests are sub.
d served thereby.
Agreements between the employers
! and employees through workingmen's
II organizations are the ordinary method
:. of regulating production and wages in
u the bituminous coal fields and other
large industries. and are beneficial,
successful and keeping with the spirit
: of the times.
3. Unions of workingmen tend to
the better discipline of the men and to
the improvement of their physical,
moral and mental condition, and to
u the preservation of friendly relations
between employer and employee
tt 4. Experience shows that the trade
!, agreement is the only effective method
l. by which it is possible to regulate
J. questions arising between employers
e and employed in large industries, and
Il that trade agreement is the only
e possible way ito establish the rela-
/, tons between the employers and the
h wage workers in the anthracite fields
l. on just permanent basis and as far
It as possible to do away with any causes
for the recurrence of such difficulties
as those you, (the anthracite coal com
mission) has been called in to settle. y
S Respectfully submitted
JOHN MITCHELL
s. Representative of the Anthracite Mine
e Workers.