Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-24
Germany Has Great Strike, Too.


Russia is not the only European
country with very serious Labor
| troubles on its hands. In Germany
| there is great strike in progress in
the anthracite coal regions which
presents several points of resemblance
to the great coal strike which this
where the German coal str Ike is now in
progress is the Rhenish- West pha lila
| mining district. Nor. than 80 per cent
| of all the PrusSian hard coal is handled
| by the mine owners OF this district and
| they have had things very much their
| own way. as have the Pennsylvania
operators. Consequently they are not
popular with the general public at this
| juncture. Features Of their policy have
| been 10 charge the farmers associ-
| ations more Cor their coal than they
| charged the large dealers. and TO cur
| tell output in orGer to maintain Rates.
Prussia owns various mines within
| her territory AM L recent attempt was
| made 20 obtain a footing i'll the district
| here the present disturbance prevails.
but il was unsucc1 ssful. The list OF
&, ievanccs for = Mich the miners ask
redress is a long ono. They complain
| in general of insufficient wages and
| long working hours. and of lapScS iii
! work and wages from the practice of
| to limit the output. They Object, like
| the Prnn!ylv Una miners to L ruling on
.hr weighing Of truck loads. They ask
| for the appointment. of inspectors
selected by themselves il ;:dditicn 10
those appointed by tn" companies and
protest against deductions from their
pay on account of lost tools. They nos
only demand an enlargement OF the
regular wage. but an increase for over
time and weekly paydays. Slight CON
cessiuns have been Offered by the
operators. but they By no means touch
the kernel Of mis- broadly formulated
dIsaffection. Doubtless both sides will
have to sit under the teaching of hard
experience beior.. they can reach a
pra, teal agreement.
There are %UO.IgO .:l,.l now striking
and they are very firm in their attitude.
Emperor Willii..i tried 70 interfere bu
has not been able to accomplish any
thing. Doubtless tn emperor had i'll
mind Prcsid. mt RooscTclts interview
ton III our great coal strike. but he
made the mistake of Offering his serv-
ices as mediator too soon. 1t is prob
have failed had lie undertaken to solve
the problem When the strike began.
He wisely waited until other eX-
peGients had failed ana until public
sentiment was strongly behind him.
Perhaps later on Emperor William viii
be equally Su .cesSful unless he has
spoiled his chances by his impetuous
offer. already made and declined.
Unless the strike is settled soon it Is
said that grrlt suffering is bound to
follow. Various industries will be
paralyzed by lack OF fuel among them
4 great iron ami stc"! industry located
near this mining district and DEPEND
ent upon it, aud tens OF thousands of
workers will be thrown OUT Of employ
mcnt Another element Ct danger i'll
the strike is that it gives the Socialis,
cause a boom and united with them
various labor organizations which have
hitherto been hostile. So there Is a
Political, as well as an Industrial pro
blcm involved, but nobody can con-
ccivc that the outcUm: will be as 1t has
| been in Russia where a bloody political
revolution has grown out vi a strike OF
mechanics. Thee is one rOnt Of diff
| ference between tie Pennsylvania strike
and the Gcrman strike. In this coun-
| try the Government owns no mines; in
| Germany it has many and i'll selling to
! the farmers associations at the same
| rate as to the dealers 1t hI, established
a standard Of fairness. AS the Rhine
| mine owI.ers refuse to conform to this,
standard German public sympathy is
against them and with the strikers
| thus far in the diiticTity.