The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-05
MINERS STATEMENT
FILED WITH STRIKE COMMISSION
ERS SUNDAY NIGHT.
OPERATORS SOON TO REPLY.
STATEMENT ONE OF UNUSUAL
LENGTH OF DETAIL.

Workers by Legal Ton. with
Adoption of Weight Payment Sys-
tenn, One of the Strongest De-
mands.
HaZelton, Pa, Nov.4.-The statement
of the anthracite mine workers case
which was filed with the strike commits
sion on Sunday night, was made pub
lie to-day. Copies of the statement
have been furnished to the operators,
who will reply in three or four days.
The miners statement in full is as
follows:
ITO the Anthracite Coal Commits
sion: The mine workers make of the
operators the following demands, which
were formulated by the Shamokin con-
vention held March IS to a. and for
the enforcement of which the strike
was inaugurated:
First. An increase of 20 per cent up
on the prices paid during the year 1901
to employees performing contract or
piece work.
This demand is made on account of
the following reasons: % the present
rate of wages is much lower than the
rate of wages paid in the bituminous
coal fields for substantially similar
work. (2) the present rate of wages
is lower than is paid in other occupa-
tions requiring equal skill and train
ing; 60 the average annual earnings
in the anthracite coal field are much
less than the average annual earnings
in the btumnous coal fields for sub
stantially similar work: "a the aver
age annual earning in the anthracite
coal fields are much less than the
average annual earnings for occupa
lions requiring equal skill and train
ing; 90 the rate of wages in the an
thracite fields is insufficient to COM
| pensate the mine workers in view of
the dangerous character of the occu-
patton in relation to accident, the la
bility to serious and permanent dis
ease the high death rate and the
/ short grade life incident to
| this ernpIoynlent,a f8Asg the annual
| earnings of the mine workers are in
| sufficient to maintain the American
standard of living; Cd the increased
| cost of living has made ii impossible
| to maintain a fair standard of life
| upon the basis of present wages, and
has not only prevented the mine work.
| ers from securing any benefit from in
| creased prosperity, but has made their
condition poorer on account of 1t {; go
the wages of the anthracite mine work.
ers are so low that their children are
prematurely forced into the breakers
and mills, instead of being supported
and educated upon the earnings Of
their parents; go wages are below the
fair and just earnings of mine work.
ers in this industry.
Second. A reduction of 20 per cent.
in hours of labor without any reduc-
ton of earnings for all employees paid
by the hour, day or week.
THE second demand is similar to
the first, in that it is designed to in
crease the hourly wages of mine work.
ers employed by the hour, day or week,
and all the reasons applicable to Nhe
first demand are asked to be applied
to the second with repetition.
I'm addition thereto we submit the
following: O0 The ten-hour day is
detrimental to the health, life, safety
and well being of the mine workers;
I'D shorter hours improve the physi-
cal, mental and moral conditions of
the workers; Q2) shorter hours in
crease the intensity and efficiency of
labor; (13) the tendency of national
and state government of organized
trade and of production generally is
toward shorter hours; 04) a working
day of eight hours is sufficiently long
for the best interests of the working
men and of the community.
Third. The adoption of a system by
which coal shall be weighed and paid
for by weight wherever practicable;
the minimum rate per ton to be 60
cents for legal ton of 2,240 pounds;
the differentials now existing at the
various mines to be maintained.
This demand Is made on account of
the following reasons: ~ measure
ment by the legal ton wherever prac-
ticable is the only honest and just sys-
tenn of measuring the earnings of mine
workers; (2) when the operators sell or
transport coal it Is on the basis of a
legal ton of 2240 pounds: go the ex-
cessive ton was originally intended to
compensate the operator for the weight
of the small sizes of coal which were
then discarded but which are now util-
lied and sold, and therefore there is no
present necessity for the use of any
other than the legal ton; az the adop-
ton of this system would remove an
incentive, both TO the operator and the
worker. to dishonesty and cheating,
and would allay jealousy among the
miners and prevent unjust discrimina-
ton and faVoritism; 90 the change
of the present system to the one asked
for would prove a strong factor in al
laying suspicion and discomfort among
the mine workers.
Fourth. The Incorporation In an
agreement between the United Mine
Workers Of America and the anthra-
cite coal companies of the wages which
shall be paid and the conditions of en-
plOyment which shall obtain, together
with satisfactory methods for the adj
justment Of grievances which may arise
from time to time, to the end that
strikes and Iockouts may be unneces-
sary.
"In support of this demand we sub
nit the following reasons: "a the an
thracite mine worker should not be
compelled to make or sign individual
agreements. but should have the right
to form such organization and choose
such agents and officers as they desire
to act, collectively, instead of individ-
ually when they deem that their best
interests are subserved thereby; (2)
agreements between employers and en-
ployes through workingmen's organi-
cations are the ordinary method of reg
ulating production and wages In the
bituminous coal fields and In other
large INDUSTRIES and are beneficial, sue
cessful and In keeping with the spirit
Of the times: 90 unions OF workingmen
tend to the better discipline OF the
men and 10 the Improvement Of their
physical, moral and mental condition,