Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1902-11-17

du:Oult pdlu per Cal OF per TON. Inc
miners have been forced to produce
constantly-increasing amount of Goa.
FOR which they receive no additional
compensation. 49,,
''The anthracite companies, not sat.
isfied with an extra legal ton from
I2,740 to 3,140 pounds, have system of
docking through which they appro
pirate additional part of the miners
earnings. A miner is docked all the
way from 500 to 1000 pounds upon
car. as penalty for loading impuri-
ties for which he has already been
penalized to the extent of from 700 to
500 pounds in excess measure of
weight; in other words he is punished
twice for the same offense."
The Fourth Demand.
Mr.. Mitchell then took up the fourth
demand of the miners for a trade
agreement, with the necessary machin-
cry for the adjustment of local griev-
ances. He outlined the history and
policy of the United Mine Workers OF
America and explained that by it's
constitution the anthracite and BIZ
luminous mine workers had home rule
for the local government of local af-
fairs.
"The only manner" he said, ."in
which the national organization is per-
mitted to interfere is that, before
strike is inaugurated by the district
organization. the approval of the pres
ident of the national union must be
obtained, but the president of the ma
tional organization has no authority
to inaugurate strike.''
AS to the responsibility of the mine
workers organization, Mr.. Mitchell
said:
AT the present time the United
Mine Workers of America has con-
tracts with the operators Of fourteen
states and districts, fixing the amount
the miners shall receive per ton, the
number of hours which shall consti-
tute a days work, and the methods
and machinery, for the adjustment Of
local grievances by joint conference
with the mine owners. These are
mutual contracts which are advantage
Gus to both miner and operator and
protect the public against the effects
of strikes or lockouts.
Union Assumes Responsibility.
Where the United Mine Workers of
America is recognized and contracted
with, 1T assumes the responsibility OF
disciplining its members. The trade
agreement has proved effective in re-
straining workr& from engaging in
been no strikes of any magnitude in
any of the coal mining states in ~-hich
trade agreements exist. We seek to
establish the same method of adjust
ing wage differences in the anthracite
field.
1T is said that the competition be-
tween anthracite and bituminous coal
Is a reason upon which the anthracite
operators oppose recognition of the
mine workers organization. That this
objection is neither valid nor con-
sistent is clearly demonstrated by the
fact that many of the railroads, Off
cered by the same men who control
the anthracite mines enter into trade
agreements with railroad organiza-
tions. majority of whose members
are employed upon other and com.
peting roads.
I'VE demHnd recognition because VIC
know that permanent peace and friend
ly relations can be best maintained
Through Trade Agreement
with the organization which our people
have elected to join. Fully 80 per
cent OF the employees of the anthracite
coal mines are members of it from
choice; they desire to retain their
membership in it. 1t was the United
Mine Workers of America that con-
ferred with the president of the United
States in relation to the submission of
the issues involved in the coal strike
to this commission; it was the United
Mine Workers of America that was
requested by the president to end the
strike; it was the United Mine Work
ers of America that declared the strife
at an end; it was the United Mine
Workers that sent the men back to
work, and it is the United Mine Work.
ers of America that pledged to accept
the award of this commission
Recognition of the union does not
mean dictation by me, or by men not
employed by the company. but by men
selected by the mine workers.
For the information of the com
mission, we herewith outline more
specifically plan of procedure which
If adopted would prevent local strikes
and preserve harmony during the time
covered by the award which you are
empowered to make. -,
.First-The rate OF wages, the hours
of labor, the method of weighing and
paying for the production of miners
work. should be incorporated in an
agreement between the representa-
tives of the various coal comnanies
and the representatives of the organ:
zation Of which the complainants in
this case are members.
Should Be Committee.
q Second There should be a commit.
tee of conservative representative
mine workers selected by the emnloyes
at each colliery;; 1t should be the duty
of this committee to cooperate with
the mine foremen in the adjustment of
local disputes which cannot be settled
between the mine foremen and the
mine worker or mine workers in
.volved.
a Third Should the mine foreman
and mine company fail to adjust the5
grievance complained of. the matte.
in dispute should be referred to the
company's superinte endent and gen