Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-11-18

vious published speeches and state
ments, and showed why, from the min
ers' point of view, the demands should |
be granted.
Says Mining is Hazardous.
He laid special stress upon the
hazardous and unfavorable conditions
under which miners and laborers were
forced to work, saying the entire TWEEN
ty per cent increase demanded would
not suffice to carry an insurance of
$1,000.
Talks for Shorter Day.
He submitted statistics showing
that an eight-hour day prevails in the
mines in Great Britain and in all the
mines in twelve states in this coun-
try.
Methods Unfair.
He said the present methods of
measuring coal in the anthracite re-
gion was productive of more discon--
tent than any other injustice imposed
upon the men,
Local Rule.
Mitchell outlined the history of the
policy of the United Mine Workers
and explained that by its constitution
| the anthracite and bituminous mine
workers had home rule for the govern
ment of local affairs. The only man
ner,' he said lin which the national
organization is permitted to interfere,
| is that, before strike is inaugural
| ed by a district organization, the APP
prevail of the president of the national
union must be obtained; but he has
no authority to inaugurate a strike.
Thus the coal mine operators are af-
| forded greater measure of protection
against strikes than they would have
been under a separate and indepen-
dent organization.
Makes for Peace.
I'VE demand recognition because
we know that permanent peace and
friendly relations can be best main
tanned through trade agreements with
the organization which our people
have elected to join. Fully ninety per
cent of the employees in the anthra-
cite mines are members of it from
choice and they desire to retain their
membership in it.
Cause of Trouble.
Failure to recognize the organiza-
ton has caused many local strikes
the past year. the fault of which rests
upon the operators and miners alike.
The miners failing to secure redress
for their wrongs and the companies
refusing to treat with their representa-
ttives, had no choice but to submit to
injustice, or inaugurate strike.
Does Not Mean Interference.
| Recognition of the union does not
mean dictation or interference by men
not employed by the companies. 1t
simply means that officers elected by
the mine workers shall exercise super
vision over the organization, or shall
counsel with the mine owrkers as to
how their trade affairs shall be con.
Quoted.
Miners Right
The miners have as to
: select a spokesman to "a to
present their grievances age
their affairs, as have the .ders
of the anthracite coal colnpa44as to
elect their officers to perform like func
TONS
Plea for Children.
Mitchell concluded with a plea fol
the children, saying that little boys
work in the mines and the breakers at
:. an age when they should be in school
S Is Closely Followed.
: During the reading of the address
Mitchell was followed with the clos
est attention, particularly so by the
representatives of the operators, who
t bent forward to catch every word and
1 made numerous notes of the principa
2 features of his remarks.
/ Mitchell Takes Oath.
7 At the conclusion of his statement
l Mitchell took oath and the taking OF
. testimony was begun. In reply to the
questions by Clarence Darrow, of Chi
cago, counsel for the miners, Mitchell
said that 81 per cent of the coal mineG
in the United States was dug in Penn
sylVania; that 80 per cent of the an
2 thracite workers were members of the
4 union; that the president or execu
e tive board of the union had never or
/ dered a strike except upon an affirm
| alive vote of the miners.
Explains Relations.
. Mitchell explained the amicable re
= lations existing between the union ant
the bituminous operators and that the
said wages had been increased since
1898 on an average of SO per cent, an6
S the hours reduced from ten to eight
e that the number of children employed
4 had been greatly lessened, but the
!, price of coal, both bituminous and an
t thracite, had greatly increased. Dur
t ing the last year l,200 men were killed
and twelve injured in the mines tina
). the life insurance companies refuse tt
Y take mine employees; that the number
J. of casualties in the bituminous mines
v We're not so great as in anthracite.
d Willing to Arbitrate.
|, Mitchell said that he was Away!
Y willing to submit grievances to arb
e tratioA and stated that S1,500,OOO ha,
been distributed among the worker
and non-union men on strike during
e the late strike. Mitchell was emphati
l. in his opinion as to the ability of tn
l. organization to maintain discipline
l. and trade agreement. The cross eS
! animation of Mitchell was begun jus
j, before the noon adjournment.
: CABINET FORMED.