West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-08-07

A FEW FACTS
Absat the Tusueltou Troublc Frsm the
Cempany's Point Of view.
Written Specially for The Argus.
On the 9th day OF May ,9oa the Merchants
Coal Co.. gave notice that 10 the miners
did not select some one to replace 4. w.
Myers that the mines would be closed
They stated the time they expected the
men to make the change. The miners
refused to remove said Myers. On this
refusal the Company closed the mines and
paid each and every man his wages in full.
After this the Company refused to recog
ni<e the Union further and stated that
thensfter they would deal with their
cmplo, ees individually. Now what claim
have these men on the Merchants Coal Co.
as employees or otherwise ? DO they
mean TO prevent other men from working
for the Company and compel the Com.
psny to employ them1 or why all this
contention
Some say the Company had no right to
demand the removal OF Myers. We grant
the miners arc entitled to a check weigh
man--it is a law OF the State. That check
weiehmsn. however. Is not granted the
privilege OF debating to the operators the
Kind OF coal they must handle When he
attempts this II is time for him TO be taken
out and replaced BY one who can do justice
to both man and Company
That the Campanys interests were
seriously suffering by the policy pursued
by Myers. and needed by many OF the men
the following letter provess
May a. 1909.
NOTCH
To the Emplo, ees OF the Merchants Coal
Co.
or late there has been considerable
dirty coal mined on this account the Rail
Road Co. threatens to discontinue coal.
ins az this ststion.-------------
Many OF the men in various ways have
hindered and retarded the work conse.
quently the mines have not been run on a
paving basis Unless there is change the
mines will close. Signed:
Tnos. T. BOSWELL. Pres't
This forewarning was pasted conspicu.
ousiy around the works.
That the K. X. Co. complained is i'm
disputable as Is shown from the following
April a.. I,ca.
Inspection Ct coal at runnelton.
Merchants Coal Co.
No. sos Maryland Trust Building City.
Gentlemen:
Our Inspector at your mines advises
that he Is obliged TO reject great many
mine cars loaded with coal, on account OF
sulphur and bone To make this coal
desirable, II Is absolutely necessary that
the supervision over the men be very close.
We hope TO hear more favorable reports
after proper action has been taken.
Yours truly.
Signed: +. ID. CAsANAvE.
Gen'l. Supt. Motive Power.
The above letter was then sent TO Sup't'
g. w. Morris, accompanied by the follow.
ing:
April as 1907.
MIR G.. w. Morris
Tunnelton. w. Va.
Dear SIR
Enclosed find letter from the Is. s. o.
X. X. Co. regarding the dirty coal that is
being loaded at your place. You can see
by this letter how important IL is for you
TO take strict measures concerning this
matter. w. II. Morris.
Genl Sup't.
From these letters it can be easily seen
that there was dirt, coal being mined and
loaded and IL is claimed that the check
weighman upheld the men in this work
II seems that this individual has a ten.
dency to win notoriety by trying to run the
business interests of others. AS two
examples we cite this and the German Co.,
at the West End
This fight. the principal one in This
section OF the State. Is made against the
Merchants Coal Co. who from the date
they first commenced work gave their
miners exact weight for all the coal they
mined. and who for many years were
practically the only operators who did SO
The Merchants Coal Co. came to
Function when il was small village
with no business aud practically no future
But their liberal policy as to selling lots
and their enterprise In opening and de-
veloping the coal business here has made
runnelton what IL is. AT least nine tenths
OF the business OF the town depends on
their works. and yet many OF the people
so dependant are led and influenced by
people from Colorado. Ohio and Penusyl-
vania who have no interests in this town
except to paralyze its business and
industries.
These and other parties hold out the
idea that the NJ. G.. Co. will finally sur
render their rights and agree to start up
again on the basis OF their making out pay
rolls twice month and paying cash and =
letting the miners and employees attend
to the rest OF the details OF running the
mine. We think they should see by this
time that the Compiny will manage their
own business in their way hereafter or
shut down entirely. We feel sure this
will be the uItimated outcome OF the
whole matter and the sooner 1t is realized
the better
In regard TO the statement that the
Deputy u. S. Marshals are a set OF thugs"
and "cut throats' we desire to offer the
following for The consideration OF the
honest minded citizens OF Preston and
adjoining counties:
The Deputy Marshals are appointed by
Chief Marshal c. ID. Elliott and confirmed
by the Executive at Washington. ID. &
for { he action Of lis Deputies: hence he
would. beyond ali doubt select and ap
point such men as would maintain the
integrity and honor of the Court and their
Chief
These Deputies are then required to
take binding oath for the faithful per.
formnnce Of their official duties and arc
placed under bond of s3ooo. Now
citizens
Is the statement made by =. w. Myers
likely to be true We refer you to any
reliable business man in function re-
gafdng the action OF the Deputies while
they have been in our midst--exccptine