The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-05
Increase of 20 Per Cent. in Wages and
Reduction of 20 Per Cent. i'm
Hours of Labor Asked.
NEW SYSTEM OF WEIGHING
AND A BINDING AGREEMENT WITH
EMPLOYERS ALSO DEMANDED.
Arrangement Similar to That Between
BitumfnOus Operators and Their
Men Considered Desirable.

AhALLElON, NOV. 4.-1ne statement OF |
the anthracite mine workers case. which |
was filed with the strike commission on |
Sunday night, was made public to-day. |
Copies Of the statement have been fur
nished to the operators, who will reply in
three or four days. The miners statement,
in full, follows:
The mine workers make of the oper-
ators the following demands which were
formulated by the Shamokin convention,
held March Is to "a. for the enforcement Of
which the strike was inaugurated:
First
An increase of 20 per cent upon the
prices paid during the year 1901 to en-
ployes performing contract or piece work
This demand is made on account of the
following reasons:
f1rst-The present state of wages is
much lower than the rate of wages paid
In the btuminous coal fields for substan-
TALLY similar work.
Second-The present rate of wages is
lower than is paid in other occupations re-
curing equal skill and training
Third-The average annual earnings in
the anthracite coal field are much less
than the average annual earnings in the
liar work.
the anthracite coal fields are much less
than the average annual earnings for occu-
patlons requiring equal skill and training.
flfth-The rate of wages in the anthra-
cite coal fields Is insufficient to compensate
the mine workers in view of the dangerous
character of the occupation in relation to
accidents the liability TO serious and per-
manent disease. the high death rate and
ployment
"Sixth-The annual earnings of the mine
workers are insufficient to maintain the
American standard of living.
Seventh.The increased cost of living
standard of life upon the basis of present
wages, and has not only prevented the
mine workers from securing any benefit
from increased prosperity. but has made
their condition poorer on account OF Ii.
'Eighth-Tne wages of the anthracite
mine workers are so low that their chill
dren are prematurely forced into the
breakers and mills, instead of being sup
ported and educated upon the earnings of
their parents.
"Ninth-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 reduction 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 rate of wages of mine workers en-
ployed by the hour. day or week, and all
the reasons applicable to the first demand
are asked to be applied to the second with
repetition. In addition thereto we submit
''Tenth-The ten-hour day is detrimental
to the health, life, safety and well being
''Eleventh-Fewer hours improve the
physical, mental and moral conditions Of
the workers.
'Twelfth-Fewer hours Increase the in
tensity and efficiency of labor.
"Thirteenth-The tendency of national
and state government OF organized trade
or of production generally is toward fewer
hours.
"Fourteenth-A working day of eight
hours is sufficiently long for the best in
terests of the workingmen an6 of the COM
munity.
"The adoption of a system by which coal
shall be weighed and paid for by weight
per ton to be 60 cents for legal ton of
2,24O pounds, the differentials now existing
at the various mines to be maintained
| This demand is made on account or the fol-
| lowing reasons:
''First-Measurement by the legal ton
| wherever practicable is the only honest and
| Just system of measuring the earnings of
'Second-When the operators sell or
| transport coal it is on the basis of legal
'"Third-The excessive ton 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.
| "Fourth-The adoption of this system
| would remove an incentive, both to the
| operator and the worker, to cheating anu
| dishonesty, and would allay jealousy among
| the miners and prevent unjust discrimina-
| ton and favortism.
| "Fifth-The change of the present sys-
tenn to the one asked for would prove
| strong factor in allaying suspicion and
| discomfort among the mine workers.
| Fourth
| 1.-THE incorporation i'm an agreement be-
| tween the United Mine Workers of Amer
| lea and the anthracite coal companies of
| the wages which shall be paid and the con-
| d;tions 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 sup
port of this demand we submit the follow
| ing reasons:
4 should not be compelled to make or sign
| Individual agreements but should have the
| right to form such organization and choose
| such agents and officers they desire, to
| act collectively instead of individually,
| when they deem that their best interests
| are subserved thereby.
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS between employers
| and employees through workingmen's or
| CARNATIONS are the ordinary methods of
| Regulating production and wages in the
| bitumnous coal fields and in other large
| industries. and are beneficial, successful
| and in keeping with the spirit of the times.
| s"Third-Unions of workingmen tend to
the better discipline of the, men,, and TO
| and mental conditions. and to the preser-
| walton of friendly relations between en-
! ployer and employe.
trade agreement is the only effective meth
| cd by which IL Is possible to regulate ques-
tions arising between employers and en-
| Moves i'm large industries, and that trade
| agreement is the only possible way to es-
| tablish the relations between employers
| and the wage workers in the anthracite
| fields OF a Just and permanent basis. and
| as FAR as possible TO do away with any
| causes for the recurrence of such difficult
ties as those you the anthracite coal strike
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