Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-22
ASKS FOR FAIRNESS.
Wapello County Miner Discusses the
Proposed Raise in Wages.

| "SNS F-Sn NihNGSS.
Wapello County Miner Discusses the
| Proposed Raise in Wages.
| Coupled to an appeal for the miners
not to listen to the voice of passion
and prejudice, but to study the facts
in the coal situation before attend
ing the national convention of the
United Mine Workers of America in
Indianapolis, Ind, in the near future,
X. Williams of Keb, asks his fellow
workers to consider the position of
the mine operator before de-
handing the proposed increase
in wages. Mr.. Williams says he be-
lieves he is entitled to more pay for
digging coal, but says he will not con-
sent to the perpetuation of wrong
! to get it.
In letter to the Courier Mr. Will
liams outlines his position on the pro-
posed advance in wages, which is the
absorbing topic just now with the
miners. Believing that the letter may
be of much interest to miners in dis
trict No. 13, where Mr.. Williams is
widely known, it is printed as an ex-
preston of opinion, with which the
men employed under ground may or
may not agree. Mr.. Williams letter
follows:
"The time is fast approaching when
the miners of Iowa and of the United
States will assemble in annual con-
ventions and from the tone of the let
| tiers to the press, one would be led to
believe our organization, the United
Mine Workers controls the earth, and
the fullness thereof This is one of
our saddest mistakes. Labor organi-
cations must learn in order to live, to
respect the rights of others as well
as their own. When they do they can
merit public approval, and no soon
er. / am in receipt of several marked
copies of papers containing letters
from members of our organization
One writer from Hiteman, in a COM
munication to the Unite Mine Workers
Journal makes an argument for the
drivers alone, and says: Owing to their
labor being hard and extra dangers be-
ing connected with, they should have
their wages advanced from the present
prices of S2.15 per day to $2.4O' He
says only a few days ago he read of
driver being killed in the mines. Yes,
and the next paper / read of an old
friend John Peterson, being killed in
the mines there.
! ''If the man that pulls the car of
coal is entitled to this advance how
much is the man entitled to that
burns the POWDER loosens the coal
and puts it in the car for this man to
pull? The sentiment expressed in
this letter would wreck all the labor
unions in the world for it is class leg
islation which cannot be tolerated by
organized labor as it must not draw
the line on unionism for one line of
business but must work to the inter-
est of all in order to live
This same writer also says: Owing
to the present selling price of coal we
should demand this increas at our ma
tional convention and have enough
| delegates there to force our demands
This is selfish to the fullest degree.
Another writer from Des Moines,
miner. uses the same argument. Now
| would be extremely well pleased if
some of these writer's would state to
the public just what coal is selling
for in the market. 1t would be infor
nation for the writer as well as for
the public.
1T is well for us to remember that
hearsay or imagination never estab-
lished fact. Neither does the price of
coal at country bank govern the coal
markets by any means. This matter
should be carefully looked after by
the delegates who attend our conven-
ton and charge themselves with facts
not theories. believe ! am entitled to
an advance for various reasons which
will mention later on, but will not
venture as to the amount, as l am will
ing to abide by the decision of our ma
tional convention. What it says | am
entitled to. want and not cent more.
EXtortion should not be tolerated. Be-
cause the single fact that the
miners are now working full
time is no evidence that it
will always be so. The miners them
selves can eliminate these sentimental
and radical ideas by sending men of
thought to these conventions and let
the extremist stay at home
Our organization has performed a
great work by shortening the hours
of toll and increasing wages and let
us by honest and fair dealing keep it
going on its mission of usefulness.
Il will always be found encouraging
right but in no case will encourage a
wrong. Let us encourage the annual
conference, discuss our measures
fairly, face to face with our employer,
look to their interest as well as our
} own as far as honesty goes, then it
will be said of you: You have fought
good fight and kept the faith, hence
forth your reward is great"
The c., NJ. C st. P. Ry, will sell
one-way tickets at half fare plus
$500 the first and third Tuesdays of