The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-09-04
Leads a North @ap@l6ng Daily er@ n Both News and Circulation

show the general condition of miners
their complaints and grievances, and the
comNaints and grievances Of the opera
tors. 1t is very clearly shown by the
evidence that the miners have done
something in the way of securing dis
cpline, although they have disappointed
the presidents in such attempts. The
miners feel that the corporations, when
they refuse to recognize the right of the
unions to represent them in adjusting
any difference, cannot deny that the Of
ficers have the power to decide whether
or not the employees shall strike. They
also state that if the operators will make
an agreement with them, they will carry
it out as far as it lies in their power
to do so, but that without an agreement
they are all the time quibbling as to
conditions under which miners shall
work.
at is reported to me by reputable par
ties, who have no interest in the mining
business one way or the other, that the
chief difficulty lies in the lack of organi-
zation. This is shown by the existence
of many practices in the management of
coal mines which appear to be unwise
unfair and calculated to work hardship
There are very prosperous miners in the
coal region and of course there is also,
as in every industry, great restitution.
The whole problem is an extremely COM
pick one, and involves many practices
that have been built up through long
years. The mine owners too often have
regarded the average miner as unreasOn-
able and likely to be unruly when occa-
sion offered The miner has come to re-
gard the average owner as greedy and
ready to do anything which will take ad
vantage of him. Long continued condi
tions of this basis of suspicion make
the question one of great difficulty.
"It would seem reasonable that if tho
men should be sure of steady work, or
fairly steady work, they could Well afford.
perhaps, to take less wages, or even to
continue on the present basis of pay
ment. 1t is insisted by many that eight
hours day for six days in the week at
less wages than they are now receiving
would make the miners as prosperous
class of workmen as can be found in the
United States.
Mr. Wright makes the following sug-
gestions which he says seem reasonable
and Just:
Il That the anthracite employees should
organize an anthracite coal miners
union, in it's autonomy to be Independent
of the United Mine-Workers of America.
The new union might, of course. be af-
filiated with the United Mine Workers
and the American Federation of Labor,
hut in the conduct of all the affairs re-
| lating TO the anthracite coal regions the
new unicn should preserve its own au-
tonomy and be Immediately responsible
for its agreement.
90 That considering all the facts rela-
tive to production, cost of coal at the
mines, profits, freight traffic, etc, etc,
it would be reasonable and just for the
operators to concede at once a nine hour
day: but that this should be done for the
period of six months as an experiment,
in order to test the influence on produc-
tion, with the guaranty that if production
is not materially reduced thereby the
agreement shall be made for a more
permanent reduction of time.
go That under a new organization con-
sisting of anthracite employees there
shall he organized a join committee on
Cancellation, composed of representatives
of the operators and of the new union
! to which all grievances as they arise
shall be referred for investigation; and
that when two thirds of the committee
reach a decision that decision shall be
final and binding upon both parties.
"a That the first duty of such joint
board of Cancellation shall be to enter
upon a thorough examination and in
vestigation of all conditions relative to
mining anthracite coal, the question of
weighing, to discipline, to wage scales,
and all matters that now form the burden
of the complaints and grievances of both
operators and miners; the results of such
investigation. not to be considered in the
nature of an award of a board of arbi-
tration, but as verified information on
which future contracts can be made.
"5 That whenever practical and where
mining is paid for by the ton, and until
the Joint committee referred to shall have
made it's report, coal shall be paid for
by the ton and be weighed by two in
spectors, one representing the operators
and one representing the men, each sids
to pay its own inspector.
"6 That there shall be no interference
with non-union men.
a. That whenever practicable collec
tive bargains shall be made relative to
wages, time and other conditions, under
rules to be established by the joint com
mittee referred to-"
These conclusions, Mr.. Wright says he
laves will help to allay irritation and
reach the day when the anthracite coal
regions shall be governed Systematically
and in accordance with greater justice
and higher moral principles than now
generally prevail on either side.
Two Fire Bugs Caught.