Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-11-06
STATEMENT OF COAL MINERS
Their Communication In Full to
the Strike Commission.
REPEAT THE SHAMOKlN DEMANDS
Operators VIII Reply in Three
or Four Days.
Statement Was Filed with the Commission
Sunday Night, But 1t Was Not Made Pub
lie Until Tbesday-Copies Hade Been
Furnished to the Coal Operators.

ment OF the anthracite mine workers.
case, which was filed with the strike
commission Sunday night, was made
public today. 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 mako uf
the operators the following demands,
which we're formulated by the Shamo-
kin Convention, held March 18th to
oath. and for the enforcement of which
the strike was inaugurated:
Tristan increase Of 20 per cent
upon the prices paid during the year
1901 to employees performing contract
or piece work.
This demand is made on account Of
the following reasons:
1.-The present rate of wages is much
lower than the rate of wages paid in
the bituminous coal fields for sub
stantially similar work.
2-The present rate Of wages is lower
than is paid in other occupations re-
quiring equal skill and training.
3-The average annual earnings in
the anthracite coal fields are much less
than the average annual earnings in
the bituminous coal fields for sub,
stantially similar work.
4-The average annual earnings in
the anthracite coal fields are much less
than the average annual earnings for
occupations requiring equal skill and
training.
5-The rate of wages in the anthra
cite fields is insufficient to compensate
the mine workers, in view of tho
in relation to accidents, the liability
to serious and permanent disease, the
high death rate and the short grade
life incident to this employment.
6-The annual earnings of the mine
workers are insufficient to maintain the
American standard of living.
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 pre-
vented the mine workers from securing
any benefit from increased prosperity,
but has made their condition poorer on
account of it.
S--The Sages.of the anthracite mine
workers are SO low that their children
are prematurely forced into the breakers
and mills, instead Of being supported
and educated upor the earnings Of their
parents.
9--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 any reduc-
tion of earnings for all employees paid
by the hour, day or week.
The second demand is similar to the
first, in that it is designed to increase
the hourly ratio Of wages of mine
workers employed by the hour, day or
week, and all the reasons applicable to
the first demand are asked to be ap-
piled to the second with repetition. In
addition thereto we submit the follow
ing:
l0-The 10-hour day is detrimental
to the health, life, safety and we'll
being Of the mine workers.
l1-Shorter hours improve the physi
cal, mental and moral conditions of
the workers.
12-Shorter hours increase the inten-
sity and efficiency of labor.
13-The tendency of national and
State government, of organized trade
and of production generally is toward
shorter hours.
IA working day of eight hours is
sufficiently long for the best interests
of the working man and of the COM
munity.
Third The adoption of system by
which coal shall be weighed and raid
for by weight wherever practicable,
tho minimum rate per ton to be 60
cents for legal ton OF 9, 240 pounds,
and the differentlals now existing at
the various mines to be maintained.
This demand is made on account of the
following reasons:
Measurement by the legal ton
whenever practicable is the only honest
and just system of measuring the earn
ings of mine workers.
when the operators sell or trans.
port coal, it is on the basis Of a legal
ton of 2, 240 pounds.
Z Tho excessive ton was originally
intended to compensate the operator
for the weight of the small sizes of
coal, which were then discarded, but
which are now utilized and sold, and,
therefore, there is no present necessity
for the use of any other than the
legal ton.
4-The adoption Of this system would
remove an incentive both TO the opera.
tors and the workers to cheating and
dishonesty, and would allay jealousy
among the miners and prevent unjust
discrimination and favoritism.
5-The change of the present system
to the one asked for would prove a
strong factor in allaying suspicion and
discontent among the mine workers.
tourth-The incorporation in an
agreement between the United Mine
Workers of America and the anthracite
coal companies of the wages which
shall be paid and tho conditions
of employment which shall obtain,
together with satisfactory methods for
the adjustment of grievances which
may arise from time to time, to the
end that strikes and lockouts may be
unnecessary. In support of this de-
mand we submit the following reasons
THE anthracite mine workers
should not he compelled to make or
sign individual agreements, but should
have the right to form such organi-
cations and choose such agents and
officers as they desire to act collectively,
Instead of individually, when they
deem that their best interests are sub.
served thereby.
2-Agreements between employers
and employees through workingmen' Is
organizations are the ordinary method
OF regulating production and wages in
the bituminous coal fields and other
large Industries, and are beneficial,
successful and in keeping with the
spirit of the times
3-Cnions of workingmen tend to
the better discipline of the men and to
tho improvement of their physical,
moral and mental condition, and to
the preservation of friendly relations
between employer and employe.
4-Experience shows that the trade
agreement is the only effective method
by which it is possible to regulate
questions arising between employers
and employed in large industries, and