Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-09
PEOPLES PULPIT.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
President Eliot of Harvard vs.. the
Miners Union.
(BY R. WILLIAMS, KEB.)

MinCTS' OnlO0ss
r (BY R. WILLIAMS, KEB.)
Editor Courier: President Eliot of
Harvard in recent address to the
Civic Federation severely arraigned
the miners union on the following
grounds: S5+..Yt.
First, it deprived young men Of ed
ucation.
Second, acted in haste.
Third, without consideration.
The writer has no earthly objection
to the professor making speeches, but
inasmuch as he is, a coal miner and a
defender of the craft, recognizing the
fact that Imagination never estab-
lished fact, demurs to each and ev-
cry allegation set forth in this ar
raignment as follows.
One of the first principles of organ
ization in asking a shorter work day
Is to place more time at the command
of the younger generation in order
to give them an opportunity to edu-
cate themselves up to the American
standard, fact well known to the
professor.
Second: During the strike Hon. Car
roll d. Wright, United States labor
commissioner, was sent to the antnra-
cite regions to make personal inves-
tigation of the surroundings, and con-
ditions of the miners and causes that
led up to the strike and to report to
the President. On making this tour
Mr.. Wright was accorded all the
courtesies that could be given by hay
Ing free access to books ond other
matter. He SO reports in bulletin of
labor No. 43, of November, 1902. On
page 1149 of said report the following
telegram is reported sent out by John
Mitchell dated February Is, 1901:
Would you kindly wire If your
company will participate in a joint
conference with the anthracite mines
during the month of March for the
purpose of agreeing upon scale of
wages for period which would be
agreeable to both operators and min
ers?"
This was fatty rejected by each and
every coal operator in the anthracite
region, as the above report shows.
On page 1854 of the same report. the
following telegram is reported as fol-
lows, dated March "a. 1902:
by direction of the miners con-
yention l wire to ascertain if your
company will join the other anthracite
companies in conference with com.
mittee representing the anthracite
mine workers for the purpose of dis
cussing and adjusting grievances
which affect all companies and all
employees alike? Please answer
This was rejected by each and every
one.
This does not denote haste as the
upn hav |,
1ieve.
Third, considerations: On page 1855
of this report the following is record
ed, dated Scranton, Pa, May s, 1902:
Conscious of the disastrous effects
upon mine workers, mine operators
and the public in general which would
result from prolonged suspension of
wark in the anthracite coal regions of
Pennsylvania and with the earnest
desire and hope of avoiding the i'm
pending calamity, the representatives
of the anthracite; mine workers have
authorized us to submit the following
propositions: First-Inasmuch as the
anthracite mine operators have pro-
posed to continue the present wage
scale fon one year, and inasmuch as
the anthracite mine workers have
unanimously resolved to ask that an
increase of 20 per cent should be paid
on present prices to all men perform
ing contract work; that eight hours
should constitute a days labor for
all persons employed by the hour, day
or week without any reduction in their
present wage rate; and that coal
should be weighed and paid for by
weight wherever practicable, and in
asmuch as in our recent conferences
the anthracite mine workers and mine
operators have failed to reach an
agreement upon any of the questions
at issue We propose that the industrial
branch Of the Civic Federation select
committee of five persons to arbi-
trate and decide all questions in dis
pute, the award of such board of arbi-
tration to be binding upon both par
ties for period of one year.
Second: Should the above PROPOSE
ton be unacceptable to you we pro-
. pose that a comittee composed of
Archbishop Ireland. Bishop Potter and
one other person whom these two may
select be authorized to make an inves-
tigation into the wages and conditions
of employment existing in the anthra-
cite field and if they decide that the
average annual wage received by the.
anthracite mine workers is sufficient
to enable them to live and maintain
and educate their families in manner
to conform to established American
standards and consistent with Amerir
con citizenship, we agree to withdraw
our claims for higher wages and bet
ter conditions of employment. provid-
ing the anthacite mine operators will
agree to comply with any recommen-
dations the above committee may
make affecting the earnings and con
ditions of labor of their employees.
An immediate answer is, solicited"
"(Signed) John Mitchell, chairman;
T. d. Nichols, secretary"
This shows that due consideration
was taken of the subject matter but
was met by the same fate, as the 9TH
ers,-reiected Each and every one
who received copy, as the report
shows. Those goods n Samaritans
whom the professor would like to de-
fend in their solicitude for the dear
people; on page 1903, says: Sixty
na,, cont IF orr ooo1 ic n-sDarad in dr.