The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-10-02
CONDITION OF MINERS.
How They Are Living During
the Coal Strike.
FEW GASES OF DESTTTUTTON.

According to President Mitchell, the
Anthracite Miners WIFI Have Sup
plies Enough to Last Until Christ
mas - What the Strikers Are Get
ting-Rent Not Being Paid.
If the length Of the coal strike is to
be measured by the food supply of the
miners alone, it is believed the end Is
by no means in sight, says a special
dispatch from Wilkesbarre, Pa, to the
New York Times. President Mitchell
declares that at the present rate at
which relief is coming in and with the
plans now under way for the aid Of
the miners they can hold out without
undue suffering until Christmas. Other
officials Of the union think that the
miners can hold out longer than that
If necessary, provided labor organiza
lions and the general public continue
their support.
The mine superintendent believe
their workmen will be forced through
lack Of food to yield within a short
time. In fact the most Of them did
not anticipate the men could hold out
the length of time they have done.
Thus far, however. it can be said that
no union miner who is content to econ
om1ze and set his table with the plain,
substantial food has been forced to 20
to work to keep his family from starry
ing. There have been a few cases Of
restitution, and there are many fami-
lies now who are compelled to rely en-
tirely on the funds coming into the
treasury Of the miners union for their
support. Just what proportion of the
miners are receiving aid Is impossible
to determine.
Inquiry among the men, however,
has resulted in finding these figures,
which appear to be exact because Of
so much cOncurring testimony. Pay
ments are made each two weeks as fol-
lows:
a single miner, where relief is given,
and it seems there are few that get it.
is given Is cents; man and wife $3.50
and each child in the family 35 cents
This amount, If used with discretion,
It is said, will purchase sufficient food
to satisfy hunger. 1t does not admit
Of the purchase Of dainties or fine gro
ceries.
When a miner draws $3.50, he gen
orally buys a sack Of -four, some BEANS
bushel Of potatoes and some salt
pork. The $3.50 will buy enough Of
these commodities to feed two people
two weeks easily, and there are usual
~ some rice. coffee, tea and sugar add
ed.
Food is practically the only thing
that the miners will need money for.
Their fuel bill will probably be moth
ing, for peep into the cellars of some
of the miners homes shows several
tons of coal stored away for just such
an emergency, and those who have
not much Of supply are busy each
day picking on the culm banks, follow
ing along the railroad tracks or grub
bling for it on the banks or in the beds
of the streams.
In the matter of clothing the miner
proposes to patch up old garments and
make his last winters clothes do an
other season. Another element that
must be taken into account in consid-
ering the question Of relief is that
about $4,000 or 10000 men have left
the anthracite fields and obtained en-
ployment Or are visiting elsewhere.
Altogether it is estimated that there
are nearly 100000 men, women and
children dependent primarily on the
anthracite miners for support. OF
course many miners children get work
in the mills and factories which are in
the district and add their small quota
to the family support.
Rent is not causing the miner any
loss of sleep. He simply does not at
temnt to pay II. There are said to be