The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-11
NO "RAISE" IN PAY
Arguments Made by the Attorneys
for the Mine Operators
3, 800. -. ~,
To-day.
Mr., Gowen Declares That Many
Miners Now Earn More Than
Is Asked For.

Philadelphia, Feb. 1.-THE case of the
Lehigh Valley Coal company was argued
before the coal strike commission to-day
by Attorney Francis /. Gowen who dWelt
at some length on the demands OF the
miners union for an increase Of 20 per
cent in wages. Mr.. Gowen criticized the
manner in which the demand was made.
claiming that the union had no theory
regarding the method Of the desired in
crease. He asserts that President Mitch
ell on the witness stand was either unable
or unwilling to commit himself regarding
the earnings of contract miners. Mr.
Gowen declared also that the miners OF
the Lehigh company In many cases md
earned more annually than the STANDARD
of wages fixed by the union
Ira p. Burns, of Scranton, counsel for
the independent operators In the Lacka-
wanna and Wyoming regions, /. argued
principally on the point of the right of
the individual to control his own labor.
Mr.. Burns said in part: -,
Fighting for a Principle. ~
what are the respective claims of the
miners and operators? The miners want
more pay and less work. The operators
want the right Of every man to own and
control his own labor.
1.-The one wants more money; the other
more law and order The one contends
for policy; the other for a. principle.
WNeIHSt d. IltIl Sllcil IeSeltC $l III PG' LII
a days work, or whether he shall work
eight hours or ten are matters of policy
and expediency on which men may hon
estly differ. and which may he changed by
agreement; but whether a man shall be
allowed, to earn his daily bread in his
own way. subject only to the laws of the
land. is a principle as old the creation
and as eternal as the everlasting hills.
The crucial point in this whole con-
troversy will finally be the right Of every
man to enjoy the fruits Of his own labor
with no one to modest or make afraid.
I'VE respectfully, but earnestly, urge
this body not to forget the sufferings ant
deserts of the non-union miner. HI
stands for a principle"
Mr.. Burns quoted Franklin 3. Cover
In the Mollie Mcclure case, and conclude
as follows:
''And yet the Molles, with all thei
b1ackness Of crime, never made war q
women and children This lower dept
was only reached by the boycotters G
1902. ~ j.. ,.t1..-,, .,-
1.-The miners union had the stronges
reasons for the terrorization Of the non
union men, for in it depended their hop
and success and increase of gain. An
impartial jury in the commonwealth {
Pennsylvania. would convict them with
out leaving the box.
I'm reality the contest is between tn
American people on one side and til
union miners on the other and the issu
is determined whether the people ma
have coal, except upon such terms as til
union may prescribe.
1--WE submit that there is nothing in tt
evidence showing any basis for de
mand for increase of wages at the pre-:
ent time. The unerring symptom Of VI
derpay and overwork in any vocation
the fact that the workers then1selv'
gradually leave it. Are there any such il
dication in this case2 On the contrar
quite the reverse.
Taxation without benefit is robber
We are taxed for the benefit Of the
plaintiffs, we ask for some benefit In r
turn; not a pecuniary value: but we d
mand not In insolent defiance. but
humble citizens of this state that prote
ton and safety for ourselves and employ
that is guaranteed us by the bill of RICH
of the constitution of Pennsylvania,