Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-07-16
STRIKE FUNDS.
Amount Contributed in 1SS7-S8 Contest.
Miners viii Fight If Given Relief.

Miners viii Fight If Given Relief.
Inasmuch as the raising OF a fund for
the striking miners is now being con-
sldered by labor leaders it is worth re-
calling the amount contributed to the
Lehigh region miners during the six
months strike of 1ss7-ss. The total
receipts Of financial contributions to the
miners from labor unions and individ-
uals, exclusive OF the amount expended
directly from the treasures OF local
assemblies attached to District Assem- bly,
81, X. of L., under whose auspices the
strike was conducted, were $133, ,609. 06.
The amount disbursed for relief and ex-
penses was $133, ,620.14.
d. NJ. Evans was the treasurer OF the
relief committee and expended Sill Os
more than he received. In addition to
this deficit, bills were contracted by the
relief committee with merchants and
others in Freeland, Hazleton, Lansford
and other towns to the amount OF
$5,56772, which brought the total
amount expended to S139, ,lS7. sc.
The strike of lss7-ss was conducted
through period OF a year, from Septem-
Der to March, when the demand for
relief became very pressing, and the
figures given above are presented to
show how far small amount, compare
lively speaking, will 60 when the men
on strike are determined to hold out and
win.
The Lehigh region strike brought
suffering to many families, but there
was no starvation reported nor did
actual want appear without being
promptly allevlated.
If, then, less than S14O, 1000 could sup
port the 1900 miners and their families
who struck in 1887 for six months, or,
In other words, II each family averaged
less than $40 for the period, the propos-
ed strike fund Of q million and half a
month, which would be less than 81
per month from the members of the
labor unions OF America, would give the
100000 men now on strike monthly
allowance greater than the average
Lehigh strikers family received while
the 1ss7-sS strike lasted.
Should the labor leaders of the coun-
try decide to assess the members of
their respective organizations and COL
lect monthly fund OF one and one-half
million dollars for the anthracite min
ers, as has been proposed and is likely,
operators and others may rest assured
that the strike will not end as soon as
very many are inclined to predict. The
railroad presidents may even succeed in
gathering sufficient miners who are
firing of the struggle to open some of
their collieries, nevertheless there is
nothing In the situation to warrant a
general break from the union ranks
while financial relief is In sight.
The miner is proverbially a fighter,
due, probably, to the conditions which
surround most OF them in obtaining
their rights from their employers, and
knowing that much depends upon him
in the present contest, he can be expect
ed to uphold his reputation and ask for
no quarter until concessions are offered
or necessity compels him to humble
before those who threw down the guage
of battle.
Therefore, when the expected finan-
cial assistance arrives, interested parties
may with good reason place the date for
the strikes ending at day so far dis
tant that is not worth considering at the
present stage Of this gigantic struggle.