The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-14
CONTINUED from page one)
FOR A TRADE AGREEMENT.

FOR A TRADE AGREEMENT.
Mr. Mitchell then took UP the fourth
demand OF the miners for trade agree
ment, with the necessary machinery for
the adjustment OF local grievances. lie
outlined the history and policy of the
United Mine Workers OF America and ex-
planned that by It's constitution the an
thracite and bituminous mine workers
had some rule for the local government o.
local affairs.
..rhe only manner" ne said. 'in which
the national organization is permitted to
interfere is that before strike is in
augurated by the district organization.
the approval OF the president of the ma
tional union must be obtained. but the
president 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
separate and independent organization"
AS TO the responsibility OF the mine
workers organization Mr.. Mitchell said:
CONTRACTS WITH OPERATORS.
AT the present time the United Mine
Workers OF America has contracts with
the operators OF Ia states and districts,
fixing the amount the miners shall re-
ceive per day. the number of hours which
shall constitute a days work and the
methods and machinery for the adjust
ment OF local grievances by joint con-
ference with the mine owners.
These are mutual contracts which are
advantageous TO both miner and operator
and protect the public against the effects
OF strikes or lockouts. The reports OF
al ats
In the mining Industry show that the
number and duration OF strikes has been
materially reduced each year since the
system or joint conference and mutual
has been introduced
Where the United Mine Workers OF
America is recognized and contracted
with. II assumes the responsibility OF dis
ciplining It's members. The trade agree
ment has proved effective in restraining
workmen from engaging in local or gen
eral strike There have been no strikes
OF any magnitude in any of the coal min
ing states I'm which trade agreements ex-
ist.
WANT THE SAME SYSTEM
We Geek 10 establish the same method
of adjusting wage differences in the an
thracite field. 1T is said that the com
petition between anthracite and bitumi-
nous coal Is reason upon which the
anthracite operators oppose n recogni-
tion of the miners organization, That
this objection Is neither valid nor con-
slstent is clearly demonstrated by the
fact that many OF the railroads officered
by the same men who control the an
fhracite coal mines enter into trade
agreements with railroad organizations.
majority of whose members are en-
ployed upon other and competing road.
We demand recognition because we
know that permanent peace and friendly
n n hes ma In inQ Qd tfo-,
trade agreement with the organization
which our people have elected to join.
MEMBERS FROM CHOICE
Fully ninety per cent OF the employees
of the anthracite coal mines are members
OF IL from choice: they desire To retain
their membership in 1t. IL was the United
Mine Workers of America that conferred
with the president OF the United States
in relation TO the submission OF the issues
involved I'm the coal strike 20 this COM
mission. Ii was the United Mine Work
ers OF America that was requested by the
president TO end the strike; II was the
United Mine Workers OF America that
declared the strike at an end: II was the
United Mine Workers OF America that
sent the men back to work and II IL the
United Mine Workers OF America that is
pledged 10 accept the award OF this COM
mission.
Failure to recognize the organization
wos the cause of manyof the local strikes
against which the operators and mine
workers Jointly complained. There have
been many local strikes during the past
year. the fault OF which rests upon oper-
ators and miners alike. Failing to secure
fedress for their (miners) wrongs tho
companies having refused 10 treat with
their representatives, they had no choice
but to submit to injustice or inaugurating
strike.
DOES NOT MEAN DICTATIoN.
Recognition OF the union does not
mean dictation or interference by men
lot employed by the companies: II simply
means that officers selected by the mine
workers shall exercise supervision over
the organization or shall counsel with
the mine workers as TO how their tr..au
affairs shall be conducted.
The miners have as much right TO Sc
1ect spokesmen TO act for them. TO pre-
sent their grievances. 10 manage their
affairs. as have the stockholders OF any
one OF the anthracite coal companies TO
elect their officers TO perform Ike func-
tions.
For the information Of the commission.
we herewith outline more specifically a
plan OF procedure which, II adopted.
would prevent local strikes and preserve
peace and harmony during the time COW
cred by the award which YOU are empow-
ereu 10 make
PLAN OF PROCEDURE.
''First--The rate OF wages. the hours ~
labor the method OF weighing and pay
Ing for the product OF the miners work
should be incorporated In an agreement
between the representatives Of the vari-
Gus companies and the representatives Of
the orga nIzation of which the complain.
ants IN this case are members
"Second-There should be committed
OF onservatrve representative mine
workers selected by the employees at ga ch
oolliery. II should be the duty Of this
Committee cooperate with the mine fore
men In the adjustment cf local disputes
which cannot be settled between the mns
foremen and the mine worker or mlns
workers involved.
'.Third-Should the mine foremen and
mine committee fail 20 adjust the gfiev-
ance complained OF the matter IN dispute
should be referred 10 the companies su.
persntendent and a general grievance
cornmittee, which should be constituted
Of represents i've mine workers from each
eolliery operated by any one company
ehouid they fail 20 adjust g. n should
be referred 20 the general manager Of the