The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-05

ators the following demands, which were
held March Is to "A, for the enforcement Of
which the strike was inaugurated:
First -
IAN increase Of 20 per cent upon the
prices paid during the year 1901 to en-
This demand is made on account of the
following reasons: n
"First-The present state of wages is
much lower than the rate of wages paid
In the bituminons coal fields for substan-
TALLY similar work.
'Second-The present rate of wages is
lower than is paid in other occupations re-
| curing equal skill and training.
Thlrd-The average annual earnings In
the anthracite coal field are much less
than the average annual earnings in the
bituminous coal fields for substantially SIM
liar work.
"Fourth-The average annual earnings In
| the anthracite coal fields are much less
| than the average annual earnings for occu-
| pations requiring equal skill and training.
"Fifth-The rae of wages in the anthra-
cite coal fields is insufficient to compensate
| the mine workers In view Of the dangerous
| character Of the occupation In relation 70
| accidents. the liability to serious and per
| manent disease, the high death rate and
the short-grade life incident to this en-
! ployment.
"Sixth-The annual earnings of the mine
| workers are insufficient to maintain the
American standard of living.
"Seventh-The increased cost of living
has made it impossible to maintain fair
standard OF life upon the basis Of present
| wages and has not only prevented the
mine workers from securing any benefit
| from increased prosperity, but has made
their condition poorer on account of 1t.
mine workers are So low that their chill
| dren are premsaturely forced into the
| breakers and mills. instead OF being sup
ported and educated upon the earnings of
| their parents.
"Ninth-wages are below the fair and
| just earnings of mine workers in this in
| dustry.
| Second
"a reduction OF 20 per cent In hours Of
| labor, without sny reduction of earnings,
for all employees paid by the hour, day or
first in that it Is designed to Increase the
| hourly rate of wages of mine workers en-
ployed by the hour, day or week, and all
| the reasons applicable to the first demand
! are asked to be applied to the second with
repetition. In addition thereto we submit
| the following:
to the health. life, safety and well being
of the mine workers.
"Eleventh-Fewer hours improve the
| physical, mental and moral conditions Of
"Twelfth-Fewer hours increase the in
tensty and efficiency of labor.
| 'Thirteenth-The tendency of national
and state government Of organized trade
or of production generally is toward fewer
| hours
/
terests of the wdrkingmen and of the COM
munity.
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 a legal ton of
i 2240 pounds, thei differentials. now existing
4 at the various mines to be maintained.
This demand is rlade on account OF the fol-
| lowing reasons:
Measurement by the legal ton
4 xrba In h ig md
just system Of measuring the earnings of
| mine workers.
transport coal it. is on the basis of legal
ton of 2,240 pounds.
''Third-The excessive ton was originally
intended to compensate the operator for
were then discarded. but which are now
utilized and sofa. and therefore there is
no present necessity for the use OF any
other than the legal ton.
"Fourth-The adoption of this system
would remove an Incentive both to the
operator and the worker to cheating and
dishonesty, and would allay jealousy among
the miners and prevent unjust discrimina-
ton and favoritism.
"Fifth.The change Of the present sys-
tenn to the one asked for would prove a
strong factor Ia allaying suspicion sand
discontent amonk the mine workers.
Fourth
ssThe incorporation in an agreement be-
tween the United Mine workers OF Amer
the wages whiohss shall be paid and the con-
ditions OF employment which shall obtain
together with satisfactory methods for the
| adjustment of grievances which may arise
| from time to tine, to the end that strikes
| and lockouts mag be unnecessary. In sup
port of this demlnd we submit the follow.
aFirst-The anthracite mine workers
should not be compelled to make or sigr
Individual agreements, but should have the
right to form such organization and choose
| such agents ands officers they desire Il
act collectively, instead of individually
when they deem that their best interest.
are subserved thereby.
acknowledgements between employer
and employees through workingmen's or
ganizations are the ordinary methods o.
regulating production and wages in th'
| bituminous coal fields and In other large
| Industries and are beneficial successful
and in keeping With the spirit of the times
.sThird-Unions of workingmen tend Il
the better discipline OF the men. and {,
| the Improvement of their physical. mora
and mental conditions, and TO the preser
walton of friendly relations between EN-
ployer and employe.
, trade agreement is the only effective meth
!, cd by which II IL possible TO regulate ques
: tions arising between employers and EN-
Moves i'm large Industries, and that trad
. agreement is the only possible way to es
tablish the relations between employer
: and the wage workers in the anthracite
, fields or a just .and permanent basis, an
) as far as possible TO do away with an,
causes for the recurrence or such difhcul
ties as those you (the anthracite coal strik
commission) have been called in to set