The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-19
in THE FIELD OF LABOR
STRIKE OF SOFT COAL MINERS IN
WEST VIRGINIA.
While the Anthracite Strike Was On
1t Was Nearly Lost Sight Of
Nea a Settlement.

During the last few weeks Of the an
thracite coal strike other questions in la
Dor circles were lost sight of by the pub
lie, and particularly was this true regard
ing the strike OF the miners in West Vir-
ginia. The $4,000 or more bituminous min
ers in West Virginia went on strike while
the anthracite miners were out. For a
time the contest in that coal field was
given greater prominence than the anthra-
cite strike, due to several federal ~injunc-
tons and the calling out Of state troops.
AS the conflict in the anthracite field grad
ually became more bitter the importance
Of the West Virginia strike grew less
significant to the public, but while public
attention was diverted from the bitumin-
Gus field the strike there went on just the
same.
About the last notoriety given 20 the
West Virginia strike was when the state
troops were fraterniZing with the strikers
and dividing the contents of their KNAPP
sacks with them. This resulted in the
troops being withdrawn. Just at this time
there began to be signs Of trouble in the
anthracite region and the Pennsylvania
troops were called out. From that time
on public interest conferred in the anthracite
field and the situation in West Virginia
was entirely lost to view. But the miners
there We're striking just as hard as those
In the hard-coal field, but with greater
success. Since West Virginia was subor-
dinated by Pennsylvania, about one-third
Of the miners in the former State have
returned to work, getting practically all
the concessions they asked.
NEGOTIATIONS
The latest information from West Vir-
ginia is that negotiations are pending that
are believed to mean a general resumption
or work in that State on the basis of
other settlements, and altogether the coal
miners are making one grand settlement
in the two regions that have been affect
ed by the strike.
Coal mining, like all other occupations.
embodies innumerable intricacies of vast
Importance, but which are not understood
by the public. The settlement in West
Virginia that has already placed about
one-third of the strikers back at work, on
the race OF 1t, represents no concessions.
Yet this settlement, when considered in
detail, means an advance to the miners of
that region of more than so per cent. In
wages. The miners there have established
the nine-hour day, receiving ten hours pay
for nine hours work. The monthly pay
oAAo . ~ llOuCyt WICIc IL a
used, was substituted by pay every two
weeks in United States money. Instead
OF 2,240 pounds of coal on a car for a ton,
or perhaps 1900 or more pounds, the miners
will have to only load 1000 pounds for a
ton and will be allowed a check weighman
TO see that the cars are not overloaded.
Aside from these concessions the company
store, which is an established factor in
the coal mining industry in West Virginia,
does not now have TO be patronized by
the miners.
The miners were unable to get through
the month without going to the company
store for credit. They can live two weeks
without credit. and now, since they re-
ceive their pay every two weeks, they may
have their choice in purchasing in the
open market or of the company, because
they have the money. 1t is said that the
more for their goods than Independent
stores. and the companies will now have
to reduce prices or the miners will buy
is equal to a handsome increase, equivalent
TO the margin gained by an open market.
The nine-hour day adds 2 or 3 cents to the
miners pay each hour. Although this does
not give him more money. .et he has an
hour, or perhaps two or three more to
himself. The token money used in West
Virginia. made of guttapercha or wood.
IL exchanged for United States money,
passed at independent stores or traded to
the farmers for produce. The pay in money
gives the miners the benefit Of the dis
count TO which their token money was
subject. The weighing of coal. which was
done exclusively by the companies, is now
s minnri by 1Sad the e. miners 1aasT ao BY yo TINS means mean the
car, and in some places 1000 pounds less,
so that they can mine more tons of coal
in a day, although their day is shorter.
All these concessions taken together are
equivalent to a good so per cent. increase
and even more in some places.
SITUATION DIFFERS.
The situation In the anthracite region
differs In many respects from that in West
Virginia. In the hard coal field many of
the evils just overcome in West Virginia
were abolished in previous strikes. The
payment of wages in scrip or token money
In the anthracite region terminated several
| years ago when the Internal Revenue De-
partment set a precedent by assessing
several companies 10 per cent. tax for the
use of private money. The company store
also was in a measure abolished, the COM
pulsory feature being removed, yet the
miners are expected to trade with the COM
pany. However. the company stores have
reduced. their wares to more nearly the
open market price. Stripped of the prin-
ciples OF unionism, the hard coal strikers
are now particularly striking for a direct
increase in wages and a check weighman
to see that mine cars are not too large and
not overloaded.
Another difference in the two districts
Is tHdl lie HSHl III the anthracite region
has really been against unionism rather
than against the demand for an increase
in pay, shorter hours and less coal to the
car. measured by a check weighman. In
West Virginia the coal company not only
fought unfonism, but held out as strongly
against granting other concessions.
The settling OF these two strikes prac-
| tically leaves the entire coal mining in
dustry free from strikes and discomfort.
The bituminous coal States-Indiana, nli-
noise. Ohio and the bituminous field Of
Pennsylvania, that are in the interstate
agreement, have no strike on hand. This
interstate agreement practically makes the
scale for all other bituminous coal-produc-
ing States and in these there are no diff
ferences OF any consequence. With the
settlement of the anthracite strike by the
commission appointed by the President,
and the signing of a scale that has prac-
tically been ADOPTED in West Virginia. the
United Mine Workers and all coal cper-
ators will enjoy a peaceful relation and
there will be fewer strikes in the coal in
dustry than at any time in the history of
this country.
Was Ite
1 Phf1a da1uhia TeJeCrapb