The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-11-07
DEMANDS OF THE MINERS.
cite Strike Commission
L. Made Psblic


cite Strike Commission
L. Made Psblic.
Hazleton, Pa, Nov. 5.-The state
ment of the anthracite mine workers
case, which was filed with the strike
commission on Sunday night, was
made public Tuesday. 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:
To the Anthracite Coal Strike Com
mission: The mine workers make of
the operators the following demands,
which were formulated by the Shamo-
kin convention, held March IS to "a,
and for the enforcement of which the
strike was inaugurated:
"First-An increase of 90 per cent.
upon the prices paid during the year
1901 to employees performing contract
or piece work.
Then follow nine reasons why such
demand is made, among them being
that wages in bituminous regions
range higher than in the anthracite
regions for the same work; that earn
ings are insufficient for miners to
maintain their families properly, and
as result their children are early
forced into the breakers and mills.
''Second-A reduction of 20 per cent.
in hours of labor, without any reduc-
ton of earnings for all employees paid
by it, hours, days, or week.
strINha Sapnn6 demand IN
the first in that it is designed to in
crease the hourly rate of wages of
mine workers employed by the hour,
day or week, and all the reasons APP
plicable to the first demand are asked
to be applied to the second with rep
etition'
Five additional reasons are then
given, declaring the ten hour day
detrimental to health, and that short
er hours improve the physical, mental
and moral conditions of the workers.
'Third-The adoption of a system
by which coal shall be weighed and
paid for by weight wherever prac-
ticable; the minimum rate per ton to
be go cents for a legal ton of 2,240
pounds; the differentials now exist
ing at the various mines to be MAIN
tained'
Five explanatory reasons then fol-
low, to show why the third demand
seems wise and just.
"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
employment which shall obtain, to-
gether with satisfactory methods for
the adjustment of grievances which
may arise from time to time to the end
that strikes and lockouts may be UNI
necessary.
In support of this demand we sub
nit the following reasons:
81. The anthracite mine worker
should not. be compelled to make or
sign individual agreements, but should
have the right to form such organiza-
ton and choose such agents and Off
GERS as they desire to act collectively
instead of individually when they
deem that their best interests are sub
served thereby.
and employees through working mems
organizations are the ordinary meth
Cd of regulating production and wages
in the bitumin Gus coal fields and in
other large industries, and are bene-
fetal, successful and in keeping with
the spirit of the times.
49, Unions of working men tend to
the better discipline of the men and to
the improvement of their physical,
moral and mental condition, and to the
preservation of friendly relations be-
! tween employer and employee.
81. Experience shows that the trade
agreement is the only effective meth
cd by which it is possible to regulate
questions arising between employers
and employed in large industries, and
that trade agreement is the only
possible way, >to establish the rela-
tions between employers and the
wage workers in the anthracite fields
on just permanent basis and as far
as possible to dc away with any causes
| for the recurrence of such difficulties
as those you (the anthracite coal
| strike commission have been called in
| to settle
Respectfully submitted, John
Mitchell, Representative of the An
thracite Mine Workers."
ANOTHER REVOLUTION.