Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-26
A STRONG PROTEST
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the same region, anu tHey WOIh less
hours per day, through choice, and
consequently, through the same choice,
less days per year, since the operator
must employ a large number of men
in order to secure the output which
might be produced by a fraction Of
that number.
This is very readily susceptible of
proof by our books and those of your
own mining companies. You will find
that the men who have had the largest
earnings are those who have worked
steadily, just as a mechanic must. while
the small earnings have invariably been
to those who have given little time or
care to their labor. The advantage given
by an unusually good chamber is tempo
rary, and has a relatively small effect
upon the average yearly earnings.
Again, it must be remembered when
comparing miner with a mechanic. that
the latter must start as an apprentice.
receiving possibly GO cents day during
his first year. In the second year he may
earn a little more. still more in the third
and during the fourth about 81. % a day.
After that his wage is from $3.50 to So
a day. according to his skill and good
fortune in securing a desirable position.
Compare this long period of work and
small earnings with the apprenticeship of
the miner. An immigrant, just landed on
American SOIL speaking one or two words
of English, utterly ignorant. is eligible
as miners labOrer, to a position which
gives him the opportunity to learn and
to acquire his miners certificate while
earning between 81 and $40 per day. Is
there any comparison?
Let the commission bring out these
matters. This testimony can easily be
secured. It's presentation and the pup
licity which can be given to it will be of
indefinite service to every mining COM
pany. The public will have an opportuni-
ty of seeing to the other side. The me n
themselves will talk about it about how
much a miner can earn. The mechanic,
who finds that he is working more hours
for less money than the miner, will talk.
Unemployed labor will learn of the op-
portunity for comfortable earnings aad
will talk. and the miners, when they en-
ter into discussion with other workers.
will not be long in seeing that they have
had the opportunity and have made good
earnings and become jealous that their
for equally good fortune.
Thus far the general testimony pre-
scented has given undue prominence to
Mr.. Mitchell. In the four and one-haif
days in which he was kept the stand.
the only point of value ascertained was
that he was in sympathy with the min
ers and was not familiar with anthracite
mining. Half an hour would have served
the same purpose and prevented much
sympathy creating generalities He said
that others knew the situation better
they would be called. Probably these
persons are to be the next witnesses for
that side. and if they are men with a
good record for faithful work, cross-ex-
animation will show what we have al
ready stated-that their earnings are
suiiicient-and this could then be sup
ported by our own witnesses. But our
local attorneys and the superintendent
of the colieries are best fitted for sucn
questions. They are familiar with the de-
tails and can bring out the proofs
I'VE think it highly desirable that any
attempt ut compromise should imme-
diately stop; that the investigation should
continue and that one or two of the in
dividual operators with your representa-
tives should collect and iabulate figures
of earnings for the purpose of presenting
them in evidence. After that our wit
nesses can appear.
After struggling through the past five
months with their losses and annoyances,
ii is little matter to wait a short time
more. A good fight is never useless. and
if in the end We should not win, it will
be better to have ended with the dignity
of strong effort than to weakly go on
our knees now. when we know the other
side has practically exhausted its re-
sources
The meeting of the Independent oper-
ators and railroad officials lasted about
an hour and at its close President Fow-
Ter of the New York. Ontario e. West
ern, said that President Baer of the Read
Ing, was preparing the statement. Lat
er the statement was issued and Mr..