Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-23
PLEA FOR STRIKERS
President of Miners Replies
to Operators.
CAUSE OF THE STRIKE
MEN NOT PAID THE WAGES
MEN NOT PAID THE WAGES
THEY DESERVE.
Railroad Companies Absorb the Prof
its in Rate Charges-Appeal
for Arbitration.

President John Mitchell of the United
Mine Workers of America yesterday issued
an address to the public. 1t Is partly re-
ply to the letters of the operators declin-
ing to accede to the demands of the union,
which were published about ten days ago.
The address begins by stating that mas
much as the general public is third and
important interest involved, although In
nowise responsible for the present strike,
but is, nevertheless an innocent victim
thereof, it Is but fair and proper that this
interest should be fully and accurately in
formed upon the merits of the question in
controversy.
After explaining that the delay in issuing
this statement was due to the fear that It's
publication might embarrass the efforts be-
ing made to obtain a settlement with the
operators the address continues:
For more than twenty-five years the an
thracite coal mine workers of Pennsylvania
have chafed and groaned under the most
1ntolerable and inhumane conditions Of en-
ployment Imaginable. Their average an
nual earnings have been less than those of
any other class of wOrkmen in the United
States, notwithstanding the fact that their
work Is more hazardous and the cost of lv-
ing greater than in any other important
American industry. The total number of
persons employed in and around the anthra-
cite coal mines is 1900; they are en-
ployed never to exceed 200 days in any one
year, and they receive as compensation for
thelr services an average of 81 AZ for a ten
hour work day. 1t will thus be noted that
they earn annually less than $500.
Inadequacy Of Their Pay.
Such pay may supply living on a par
with some classes of European laborers;
but who will say that it is sufficient to sup
port American citizens or educate and prop
erly maintain their families? True it is
that 10 ;p
granted by the coal operators as a strike
concession two years ago, but it Is also true
that large portion of this 10 per cent was
paid back to the companies to buy the sup
preston of an old powder grievance More
over, according to reliable commercial
agencies, the cost of living has increased
particularly In the purchase Of food stuffs,
from 30 to 40 per cent; so that the purchas-
Ing power Of miners earnings Is less now
than before the strike Of 1900.
The presidents Of the various coal
carrying railroads have given publicity to
a statement that during the year 1901 the
riorated an average Of 121a per cent; In
other words. the mine workers organlza-
ton Is accused of encouraging poor work.
manship. An examination of the reports on
coal production compiled by the United
States government discloses the fact that
the allegations of the railroad presidents
are misleading and untrue, as the follow
Ing figures will demonstrates:
From 1890 to 1900, Inclusive the mines
were in active operation an average of 1S2
days per year, and for each person en-
ployed there were produced 363. IS tons of
coal per year, or for each day the mines
We're in operation 2.16 tons were produced
per employe; while in the year 1901, against
which the operators bitterly complain
the mines were in operation 1912 days, ard
there We're produced 4i5. 43 tons for each
person employed, or for each day the miues
We're In operation 2.36 tons were produced
per employe. thus showing that instead Of
a deterioration there was a decided I'M
provement in the productive capacity OF the
men after they became thoroughly organ
lied. Can the unprecedented reflect upon
these facts and conclude that the anthra-
cite miner is not better workman than he
was before the 10 per cent concession in
wages two years ago?