Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-17

amount paid per car or per ton. The
miners have been forced to produce a
constantly increasing amount of coal for
which they receive no additional compen-
sation.
The anthracite companies. not salts
fed with an extra legal ton OF from 2.740
TO $3.50 pounds, have a system OF docking
through which they appropriate addition
al part Of the miners earnings. A miner
is docked all the way from 500 to 1000
pounds upon a car as penalty for load
ing impurities for which he has already
been penalized to. the extent OF from 200
70 900 pounds in excess measure of weight.
In other words. he is punished twice for
the same offense. A system somewhat
similar, but less unjust. obtained In some
of the bituminous coal fields some years
ago. where the miners are now paid by
weight upon the basis of legal ton. They
are not only permitted but are encourage
by the operators TO employ check weight
men TO see that the product of their labor
is properly weighed and a correct record
made thereof"
Mr.. Mitchell then took up the fourth de-
mand OF the miners for trade agreement
with the necessary machinery for the ad-
justment of local grievances. He outlined
the history and policy OF the United Mine
Workers OF America and explained that
BY its constitution the anthracite and BIZ
luminous mine workers had home rule
for the government OF local affairs.
The only manner. he said. In which the
national organization is permitted to in
terfere is that before a strike is inaugu-
rated by the district organization the ap-
provai OF the president OF the national
union must be obtained; but the presi-
dent OF the national organization has no
authority to inaugurate a strike. Thus the
coal mine operators are afforded greater
measure Of protection against strikes than
they would have under a separate and in
dependent organization. s
Mr.. Mitchell concluded with plea for
the children. urging the need Of their ed
ucatioR instead OF allowing them to work
in mills and factories.
Continuing Mr.. Mitchell said that 81 per
cent OF all coal mined in the United
States was mined in Pennsylvania and
that 80 per cent OF the anthracite mine
workers are members of the union.
Has the president or executive board
ever ordered a strike since they have
been at the head Of this organization or
since IL has been in existenceT' asked
Mr.. barrow.
NO." was the reply. except upon the
affirmative vote OF the miners themselves
The officers carry out the instructions of
the miners"
Mr.. Mitchell then explained the relations
operators, and said that by reason of the
contracts entered into by them there had
bene no strikes. Where no contracts We're
made. he said. there had been strikes of
considerable magnitude Through the
amicable relations with the bituminous
operations Mr.. Mitchell said. wages had
been increased since 1Ses. an average of
50 per cent and that there had been a re-
duction In hours OF from ten to eight and
al n. 81 ,.h.f
Were you willing to submit to arbi-
trationP' asked Mr.. Darrow.
Always. said Mr.. Mitchell.
Mr.. Darrow's next question brought out
the frst public statement made since the
late strike was inaugurated regarding the
amount OF aid given the strikers. Mr.
Mitchell said that s., 5000 900 had been dis
tributed among the workers and nom
union men on strike had shared equally
with the unionists. although they had
paid no dues. He said he did not know OF
a single instance where his organization
had failed to keep its contract
What do you say as to the ability OF
your organization 20 maintain discipline
and assist in the settlement OF questions
and help in the management Of the coal
Industry
Speaking very deliberately. Mr. Mitchell
answered:
L would say that our experience as an
organization demonstrates conclusively
that discipline can be maintained where
trade agreements exist AS a matter of
fact, in those states where we have trade
agreements. IL any OF our local unions
were to attempt to violate agreemnts or
refuse TO go back TO work when we in
structed them to do so. we would put
them out OF the union. Our agreements
take precedence over our own law. The
agreements must be kept inviolate'