Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1902-06-28
STATEMENT BY MITCHELL
WHY COAL MINERS STRUCK
And why They Are Continuing the
Ffwht-IIa1e Used Every Effort to
Get Justice for the Miners and
settle the strike willing TO Ar
bitrate.

gress in the anthracite coal regions OF
Pennsylvania affected only the well
fare of the railroad and mining cor
porations on one hand, and the coal
mine workers on the other the public
would have no vital interests at stake
and would consequently be less con-
cerned than it now is in the continu-
ance, the extension or the termination
of the conflict; but inasmuch as there
is a third and important interest in
volved which, although in nowise re-
sponsible for the present strike, which
is nevertheless an innocent victim
thereof, it is but fair and proper that
the public should be fully and accu-
rately informed upon the merits of the
question now in controversy.
"If it shall be asked why we have
waited until the close of the sixth
week of the strike to issue a state
ment of this nature, sufficient answer
may be found in the fact that we have
hesitated to utter any word or to take
any position that would impair or en-
barrass easy reconciliation with the
coal operators. Eevery delay and pre-
caution, every conceivable concilia-
tory effort that honorable and con-
sentative men could take to avert a
rupture and every means that thought
could suggest to bring the matter in
dispute to arbitration was resorted to
by the union both before the strike or
I,~,, ct - ASN
effect, but without avail; the coal
magnates replying to all our overtures
with the declaration that there was
nothing to arbitrate. This statement
on their part is equivalent to saying
that the coal mine workers have made
unreasonable demands and have
struck without real or sufficient cause
To this, let plain, unvarnished facts
and figures reply.
The Grievances.
For more than Is years the anthra-
cite coal mine workers of Pennsylva-
MIA have chafed and groaned under the
most intolerable and inhuman condi-
lions of employment imaginable. Their
average annual earnings have been
less than those of any other class of
workmen in the United States, not
Withstanding that their work is more
hazardous and the cost of living great
er than in any other important Ameri-
can industry. The total number of
persons employed in and around the
anthracite coal mines is 147,500. They
are employed never to exceed 200 days
IN any one year and they receive as
compensation for their services an av-
day. 1t will thus be noted that they
earn annually less than $500. Such
pay may supply living on par with
some classes of European laborers, but
who will say that it is sufficient to sup
port American citizens or enable par
ents to educate and properly maintain
their families? True it is that a 10
per cent increase in wages was grant
ed by the coal operators as a strike
concession two years ago, but it is also
true that large portion of this 10 per
cent was paid back to the companies
TO buy the suppression of an old pow
der grievance. Moreover, according
TO reliable commercial agencies, the
cost OF living has increased, particu-
larly in the purchase of foodstuffs,
from 30 TO 40 per cent, so that the pur-
chasing power of miners earnings
Is less now than before the strike OF
1900.
sfrF,t
The presidents of the various coal
carrying railroads have given pub
nclty to statement that during the
year 1901 the productive capacity OF
mine workers deteriorated an average
Oh 1249 per cent; in other words. the
United Mine Workers organization is
accused of encouraging poor workman
snip. An examination of the reports
on coal production compiled by the
United States government discloses
the fact that the allegations of the
railroad presidents are misleading and
untrue.
The railroad presidents contend
mat they can not increase wages with
out making corresponding increase
IN the selling price of their product
10 the consumer, and have accused the
mlneworkers of suggesting a PROPOSE
uon that would impose a hardship up
on the public by increasing the market
PRICE OF coal 10 cents a ton, the
amount that would have been re
: CURED to meet all the demands made
Dy the miners. However, their solici
tousness for the public veal has not
deferred them from increasing the
selling price 81 per ton since the strike
was inaugurated without giving any
part of the increase to the minework
ers.