The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-11

= =- -- = - = . as the operators of a great part of this state agreed last spring to reduce the working time of their mines one hour per day.
 That we have semi monthly pay day in legal currency"
 This demand is such a reasonable one that no time should be lost in attempting to argue it.. However the operators claim that If a semi-monthly pay day was granted that it would cause two more days idleness of the mines each month.
 We presume to follow out this kind of reasoning if the mine workers received their wages four times a month 1t would mean the loss of eight days work, and if we received our wages twelve times a month, the mines would not work any. What an absurd argument! But it is as consistent as the operators in opposing a semi monthly pay day upon the ground that the mines would be idle a greater number of days.
 Another objection the operators have is that if there was q semi-monthly pay the mine workers would spend their earnings in dissipation and neglect their work. To this statement we desire to answer, ex- perience has demonstrated in all places where the semi-monthly pay day has been established there has been less idle ness from that source than under a monthly pay system.
 Another objection on the part of the operators to granting a semf-monthly pay is increased clerical work, and cost required to make up the totals in pre- pairing pay rolls twice per month. The same figures are used in making out pay rolls once per month as to make them out twice per month. The only difference in the amount of clerical work is the time required in making up the totals for q semi monthly pay day, twice as often as for a monthly pay.
 Under a monthly pay system there is in existence in Alabama a rule to set apart one day known trading day. On this day the mines are idle and the employees are expected to go to the store and draw cheek and make their purchase of goods We call attention to this rule because the mines are Idle on this day and on the regular pay day. Un- der semi-monthly pay system the mines would lose no more time than under the present monthly pay system. It would require no more clerical force to make up the pay roll for a seui-monthly pay than 1t does to issue checks on trading day.
 Mere subterfugee.
 The objections above enumerated are mere subterfuges to conceal the real ob- lection of the operators. and that is the effect a semi monthly pay will have on the company store, or commissary as 1t Is known here.
 Monthly pay days place the mine worker at disadvantage, as he Is re- quired to patronize the company store, gets into debt and on account of the high prices on goods In those stores and long time between pay days he remains in debt to the lasting advantage of the operator
 No one will question the right of the operator to earn legitimate profit on capital invested In mining property, and no one has any objection to the operator caring a legitimate profit on his com pany store business But the employe should not be taken advantage of by continuing the monthly pay system.
 Under the monthly pay and company store system the operator earns a large profit on his coal business and enormous profits on his store business. The real earning capacity of the mine worker Is reduced because he Is required under pres sure of monthly pays to purchase goods in company stores at higher than regular market prices.
 What would happen 10 many of the prosperous business firms of Birmingham If all the employers of labor would have company stores and monthly paydays. It is not reasonable to suppose that many of those firms who are now engaged in busi- ness would be forced to retire.
 Semi-Monthy Pay.
 All we ask is the right to spend our earnings where we please, and to get our wages twice per month in order that we can have an opportunity to spend our wages to the best advantage.
 Under a monthly pay system employees are required to work as many as seven weeks before receiving their pay. As proof of this the mine workers in this dis trct resumed work the beginning of this month and will not receive any pay under the monthly system for seven weeks, or until September 19.
 In submitting for your consideration these propositions and the evidence in support of our claims, we have endeavored to be as brief as consistent with the inn portance of the subject. the magnitude of the interests involved and an intelligent presentation of the questions to be de- cided.
 On behalf of District No. 20 United Mine Workers of Alabama,
 Very respectfully submitted,
 w. P. BYNUM.
 ADAM STEWART
 GEORGE BARBOUR,
 IcIvGENE ET1T I.INAN