The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-11
OPERATORS REPLY ET LENGTH
 TO THE hIEE WORKERS

fcontInued from Fifth Page.
 ton for the work performed and have been eauitably adjusted with reference to the prices received by the operators for their products. We confidently assert that the wages paid coal miners during the past year have furnished the oppor- tunity to thrifty and industrious employees to accumulate a surplus after providing q comfortable livelihood and have ex- ceeded the wages paid in other occupa- tions in the district requiring equal skill and training. Beginning in 1897, when the wages paid to the miner on the Pratt basis was 371a cents per ton, as result of annual demands on the part of the miners and repeated concessions made by the operators in the interest of peace and steady work, wages have been increased until they are now 55 cents per ton. mak- ing an increase In that time of 90 per cent. This increase In the price per ton to the miner has been accompanied by corre- spending increase in the wages of the day laborer. This advance in wages has been reached by advances from time 10 time in both the maximum and minimum. The maximum cannot be further advanced be- cause, while the operator who converts his coal into pig iron might afford to n- crease wages In proportion to the advance
 
 maximum of Sl100, the operators who sell their coal on the market and who mine nearly one-half of the coal pro- duced cannot sell their coal at a profit in competition with other districts and pay above 55 cents per ton to the miner: no matter how high the price for pig iron may go. The advance in the minimum since 1897. while illogical. has produced no great hardships because during that time iron has but rarely and for short periods sold at the minimum price. In the past three months iron has been reduced In price $500 per ton. and there Is no demand even after this drastic cut. The operators today instead of figuring profits are study ing possible reductions in cost to meet the further reductions in selling prices which seem inevitable.
 Claim Scale Is Too High.
 The operators therefore. earnestly con tend that the scale of wages prevailing during the year ending July 1. 1903, is too high, and should be re-adjusted in ac- cordance with the itemzed claim here matter made in the statement of their demands.
 2. In answer to the demand for an eight hour day as against the present ten-hour day. objection is made because it would decrease the production of coal, increase the cost per ton and have a general ten dency to bring about an eight-hour day in other departments of industrial work. which would increase the cost of produc- tion of iron and other manufactured products in this district. This change could bring no advantage to the miner, but would diminish his opportunity for earnings.
 3. In answer to the demand for semi monthly pay days our miners do not now work on pay day and full work is not resumed for two or three days there after, resulting in a heavy loss of tom mage to the operator We believe, being familiar with the character of our labor, that two pay days per month would prac- tically double the loss of time and ton mage now incurred. Further. the operators receive pay for coal and pig iron produced therefrom at from thirty days to four months after same is sold. The increase in pay days would require additional cash capital. which some operators might not be able to procure.