The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-14
Some Of the Strikes.

We have had no serious trouble during the yeal
t.st past, with the exception Of the frcrnen'l
strike. Hardly week has passed, however since
October, 1900, (whcu the men throughout the
anthracite region were granted ten per cent
incrcase) but what we have had some petty dis
trbances TO contend with. owing. largely, to the
unfortunate manner in which the strike was set
tied. 1t also resulted In making the lives Of the
losses, ioremen and supcrintendents far from
pleasant, owing to the insoent attitude assumed
by some OF the boys and more ignorant mine
workers. Here are some Of these petty strikes at
one colliery:
First--The union ordered the drivers to stop
the cars to one man. because lie was not menl'
her Of the United Mine Workers Of America This
boycott was finally raised, and the man was
forced by the men to join the union.
Second-The breaer boys closed down the mines
one day because the foreman would not inform
them. on demand, what time h, was going TO
allow them for the fifteen minutes the breaker
stopped in the forenoon. on account Of the chutcs
being blocked.
Third---In January, the runners and drivers
went on strike, because the paymaster would not
pay them every other saturday, instead OF semi.
monthly.
Fourth--On August 1st. the card inspection
committee sent home forty miners and fifty la
borcrs because they did not have their union
cards with them that day This was done by
places. and before the foreman in charge was
aware Of their action.
Fiftl,--A miner was noticed riding on street
car in September, while the street car employees
were on strike. lie was called a 'scab." the
drivers refused to deliver cars to him. and 1t re.
suited in lot OF trouble for all concerned
April 11th, 1901, the driver boys or the cum
dump went on strike because OF their mem.
bers was discharged for disoheying orders.
On May 1ati the boys quit work for one day
account Of circus in town.
On May 10th, the breaker boys went out again.
When asked why, they gave no reasons but the
inference that their action was instigated by
some of the older boys and men working inside,
who were in want OF holiday.
Mine Was Idle.
sith the following notice, posted in conspicuous
places:
NOTICE. .
"Afcn,hers OF the Local: In accordance with
the request of national president. it was re-
solved that we observe Monday, 1st day Of April,
1901, as holiday. All members will please
abide by the came.
"(signcd BY Order Of Local"
We also had considerable trouble account
OF certain OF the miners not being willing to
Join the union. and the drivers refusing to give
them cars. The result was, they were eventually
forced into Joining.
On June Tth. the miners in one OF the veins
struck for an increase in price on the car. As it
the same price that was being paid in tile
same vein at adjoining colllsries, and was found,
upon investigation, to be eminently fair, no ac.
tion was taken, and the men finally returned to
work.
In January, when one company decided to
check in and out all men employed by the com.
pany, objections were raised by the local. They
were told that they would either have to do this
or the mine would be closed down indefinitely,
and they finally decided 10 obey the rule.
On May 2Sth. there was trouble at one mine,
on account Of drivers refusing to give cars
To non.union man, who had taken the place OF
4 union man. Work was suspended at this COL
licry for about sixty days
In May, il arranged to work come OF the
collicries nine and ten hours. The runners and
drivers at n certain mine objected to this. and
declined to work more than eight hours, and the
laborcrs refused to load nor than eight hours
coal The leaders in his movement were dis
charged. and the following notice was posted by
the union:
.:NOTlCE.
'.All members Of the above. named local are
hereby notified that at n meeting held on the
above date it unanimously carried that all
employees should work the number OF hours re-
quircd OF them until otherwise ordered by said
local
"(Signed) BY Instruction OF Local"
During the summer there were frequent re.
quests to close down the mines tor United Mine
Workers ponics. etc.
The men at mine refused to work one day on
account of United Mine Workers pictnic. They
made no request to have an idle day, but i.
ordered by the local. From actual canvass made
the following day, it was found that only ff-
teen per cent. OF the employees Of that mine at.
tended the picnic, hut they stated that they had
their orders from the district board.