Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-05
MINERS CASE
CONTINUED from page ~
9-Wages are below the fair and just
earnings Of mine workers in this in

9-Wages are below the fair and just
earnings of mine workers in this in
ldustry.
Second-A reduction OF 20 per cent. in
hours of labor without any reduction
of earnings of 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 rate of wages of mine work.
ers employed by the hour, day or week
and all the reasons applicable to the
first demand are asked to be supplied
to the second without repetition.
In addition thereto, we submit the
following:
10-The 10-hour day is detrimental to
! the health. life, safety and well being
| of the mine workers.
11-Shorter hours improve the physi-
cal, mental and moral conditions Of the
workers.
12-Shorter hours increase the in
tensity and efficiency of labor.
13-Thc tendency of national and
state government of organized trade
and of production generally generally
lis toward shorter hours.
IA working day of eight hours Is
sufficiently long for the best interests
of the werkingmen and of the COM
munity.
Third-Ine 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 legal ton of 2240 pounds; the diff
fercntials now existing at the various
mines to be maintained.
This demand is made on account Of
the following reasons:
1-Measurement by the legal ton
wherever practicable is the only hon
est and just system of measuring the
earnings of mine workers.
2-When the operato sell or trans
port coal it is on the basis of legal
ton Of 22Ac pounds.
3-The excessive was originally in
tended to compensate the operator for
the weight of the small sizes of coal
which We're then discarded but which
are not 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
honesty and would allay jealousy
among the miners and prevent unjust
discrimination and favoritism.
5-The change from the present sys-
TEN to the one asked for would prove a
strong factor in allaying suspicion and
discomfort among the mine workers.
Fourth-The incorporation in an
agreement between the United Mine
Of America and the Anthracite Coal
Company of the wages which shall be
paid and the conditions of employment
which shall obtain together with salts
factory methods for the adjustment of
grievances which may arise from time
to time to the end that strikes and
lock 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
sing individual agreements but should
have the right to form such organiza-
ton and choose such agents and officers
as they desire collectively instead of
individually when they deem that their
best interests are subserved thereby.
2-Agreements between employers
and employees through wOrkingmen's
organizations are the ordinary methods
of regulating production and wages in
the bituminous coal fields and in other
large industries, and are beneficial sue
cessful and in keeping with the spirit
of the times.
3-Unions of working men tend to the
better discipline of the men and to the
improvement OF their physical. moral