Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-06
MINERS SIDE
FILED WITH
BOARD
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT PRESENT
Ed BY MITCHELL IS MADE
PUBLIC BY THE COMMITTEE
OF ARBITRATION.

r,enf ~ the anthracite mine workers
case. which was nled with the strike COM
miftee on Sunday night, was made pub
lie today Copies Of the statement have
been furnished 10 the operators. VINO
win reply In three or four days The
miners statement In fun Is as follows:
To the Anthracite Coal Strike COMMITTEES:
The mine workers make the following
demands which were formulated by the
Shamokin convention held March Is to
the 81 and the enforcement OF the strike
was inaugurated:
the prices paid during the year ls0l 10
employees performing contract or piece
work This demand Is made on account
Of the following reasons.
THE present rate Of wages u much
lower than the rate OF wages paid in the
hItuminous coal districts for substan-
tally similar work
s-The present. rate OF wages Is lower
than is paid In other occupations requir-
ing equal skill and training.
3-The average annual earnings In the
anthracite coal fields are much less than
the average annual earnings IN the bitu-
mInous coal fields for substantially SINH
lar work
-The average annual earnings in the
anthracite coal fields are much less than
the average annual earnings for occupa-
tons requiring equal skin and training.
She rate OF wages in the anthracite
coal fields is insufficient TO compensate
the mine workers IN view OF the danger
Gus character OF the occupation I'm rela-
ton 20 accidents. the liability TO serious
and permanent disease. the high death
rate and the short grade life incident
20 this employment
s-The annual earnings OF the mine
workers are insufficient 70 maintain the
American standard Of living.
THE increased cost Of living has made
Il impossible to maintain a fair standard
Of life upon the basis OF present wages
and has not only prevented the niue
workers from securing any benefit from
Increased prosperity but has made their
condition poorer on account OF H.
6-The wages OF the anthracite workers
are 30 low that their children are pre-
matursIy forced into the breakers and
mills instead OF being supported and edu-
Gated on the earnings OF their parents.
s-Wages are below the fair and just
earnings Of mine workers IN this indus
Try.
Shorter Hours Asked.
Second-A reduction OF 20kper cent in
hours OF labor, without any reduction
OF earnings for all employees paid by st.
hour. days or week.
The second demand Is similar to the
frst IN that Il Is designed TO increase tht
employed BY the hour. day or week and
all the reasons applicable 10 the first de-
mand are asked 10 be applied TO the
second with repetition.
In addition we submit the following:
10-The ten hour day is detrimental 70
the health, life. safety and well being OF
thE mine workers
u--Shorter hours improve the physical,
mental and moral conditions Of the work
I2-Shorter hours increase the intensity
and efficiency OF labor.
l-The tendency OF national and state
government Of organized trade and OF pro-
duction generally. Is toward shorter hours.
IA working day OF eight hours Is suf-
fcientIy long for the best interests OF the
working men and OF the community.
Third The adoption OF a system BIZ
which coal shall be weighed and paid for
~ weight wherever practicable: the min
imum weight per ton 20 be sixty cents for
legal ton OF go pounds: the differen-
tials now existing at the various mines
TO be maintained
This demand Is made on account OF the
following reasons:
I--1Ieasurement by the legal ton wher-
ever practicable Is the only honest and
fust system OF measuring the earnings Of
mine workers
a-when the operators sell OF transport
coal Il Is on the basis Of a legal ton OF
z.3l0 pounds
a-The excessive ton was originally in
tended 70 compensate the operator for the
weight OF small sizes OF coal which were
then discarded but which are now utilized
and soids therefore there Is no present ne
cessity for the use OF any other than the
legal ton
A-The adoption OF this system would
remove an increase both 20 the operator
and the miner and would allay jealousy
among the miners and prevent unjust dis
crinination and favoritism.
5.-The change OF the present system TO
one asked for would prove a strong
factor In allayfng suspicion and discomfort
among the mine workers
Agreement Is Wanted.
Fourth The operation IN an agreement
between the United Mine workers OF
America and the anthracite coal comma
MES OF the wages which shall be paid and
s the condition Of the 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 Iock-outs may be
unnecessary
In support Of this demand we submit the
following reasons:
, 1.-The anthracite mine workers should
not be compelled to make or sign indf-
vidusi agreements. but should have the
right 70 form such organization and
choose such agents and officers as they
desire. % act collectively instead OF indi-
viduaily when they deem that their best
interests are suoserved thereby.
4-Agreements between employers and
employees through workngmen's organl-
zations are the ordinary method OF resi-
lating production and wages IN the bitum-
nous coal fields and IN other large indus
tries and In keeping with the spirit Of the
times.
2-Unions OF wOrkingmen tend 10 the
better discipline OF the men. 20 the I'm
provement Of their physical. moral and
mental condition and 20 the preservation
Of friendly relations between employer
and employe.
L-Experience shows that the trade
agreement is the only effective method
By which Il Is possible TO regulate cues
lions arising between employers and en-
ployed IN large industries and that trade
agreement f. the only possible way, ito
establish the relation between employers
and the wage workers In the anthracite
fields on a just permanent basis and as
far as possible 20 do away with any causes
for the occurrences OF such difficulties as
those you 1.-THE anthracite coal strike
conialissionl have been called I'm to set
lie. Respectfully submitted.
FATAL KNIFE DUEL