Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-05-20

A "MlLLIONA!RE" UNION.
Great Force Combined In the United
Mine workers of America.

uTedt the
Mine Workers of America.
Observers of labor union develop
ment are noting, as result of the re-
cent wage conference at indianapolis,
that at last the millionaire trade union
has appeared. 1t has just closed It's
first deal, as a millionaire labor con-
tractor, to man the bituminous coal
mines Of the country for one year at
an advance of $50,O0O0O0 in wages
over the last year. The increase took
effect the 1st of April. In round num-
bers $4,000 workers, not all Of them
members of the organization, share in
the increase.
The organization that has obtained
such settlement from the centralized
bitumlnous coal interests of the coun-
try is the United Mine Workers of
America the first American labor union
to become a millionaire in its treasury
fund and lay plans to become multi
millionaire. 1t not only contracts for
264,000 men in the bituminous mines,
but it wields the destiny of 100000 hui
Ildu DtllIS III anu tllt ullDtS
of the country and of 100000 more
human beings in the miners homes.
The S50O00,000 increase is based on
the settlement reached in ''the Indi-
annapolis conference" which began Jan.
30 and ended in the bituminous opera
tors of the Pittsburg district, Ohio, In
diana and Illinois signing a scale pro-
viding for increase in wages that aver
age 16l2 per cent.
The men who had in their hands this
supply of vitality realized that failure
to reach an agreement meant a strike
April that would shut down at least
all of the largest bituminous coal
mines Of the country. They knew that
If these Jituminous mines were closed
the industrial world, which was down
to the daily production of the mines,
would come TO a complete standstill
within four weeks at the longest; that
millions of people would be affected,
national calamity would be imminent
and that the people would forever
crush the party held responsible for
the paralysis by quickly formed public
sentiment
The representatives of the operators,
realizing that demands of the miners
for advances in keeping with increased
cost of living would arouse public
sentiment, which was already set
against the operators, offered an ad
vance of 10 per cent.
The miners demanded % per cent
md tbrrq tpuad IN onppal tn tba nuhlip
with a strike and lay before the peo-
pie, who had paid double prices for
COAL the alleged enormous profits that
had been realized by operators taking
advantage of the coal shortage.
A tidal wave threatened. BY slow
degrees the operators advanced conces-
sions up TO 1872 per cent.
"1hat is all. We can go before the
people If you turn down a 1G1a per
cent advance" was their ultimatum,
and they stood firm.
Mitchell realized that public senti-
ment is as shifting sand. He was not
disposed to risk losing its sympathy,
which, Notwithstanding its million
treasury and army of workers, was
the miners greatest asset. He said he
would report the offer back to the 700
delegates.
In long session of the miners be-
hind guarded doors heated protests
were made against acceptance. Mitch
ell laid before the protesting delegates
what a refusal meant. He pointed out
that the public would not stop to CON
slider technical objections; that in spite
of paralytic effect it would frame its
decision and pledge support on the
basis of the 1G1@ per cent. At the end
of three hours Mitchell's counsel pre-
vailed.
The public had been an effective
arbiter. A S5O,OO0000 increase scale
was signed.-E. l.. Lewis in Golfers
Weekly.