Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1907-01-03
HOLD TO THE UNION.

WhltWell, Tenn, Dec. ~, lJO0.
Editor Sequachee News:
If you will allow me space will in
form the general public that the strike
at Whitwel is still on, and that the
Company's output here at Whitwell is
on the decline, about one-third the
normal output, with general indica-
tions for worse success for the compa-
ny in the future We have been lock-
ed out since July /, 1904 When the
T. G. /. Co. at Whitwell worked I'M
ion men the cost per ton to the com
pany was, they claimed, 90c per ton,
but now, with non-union men the cost
to the company per ton is $t.18, and
now, with but about one-third of the
normal output, the output of the
Whitwell mines is much less than
one year ago. With the output of the
mines on the decrease, the cost of pro-
duction is on the increase and with
this state of affairs at the end of 80
months, the union men here at Whit
well are quietly waiting for the T. C.
/. Co., to get its satisfaction of non
union labor and open shop policy.
The union men who are here now
number about 200, and lived here be-
fore the Whitwell mines were opened
largely and can and will continue this
strike indefinitely on their own sup
port.
We are not union men for grub but
union from principle and are raising
our children up in the faith of the or
der. If this present generation of I'M
ion men fail to work in union mines
here, our rising generation may be
able at least to secure joint contract
with the company.
We are aware that great many of
our members are away from home at
work, but are receiving good wages at
union camps.
The men who are at work at the
Whitwell mines now are receiving the
fruits of the labors of the United Mine
Workers of America, who brought the
price of coal digging from 35 and 391s
cents per ton up to so and SOC per ton
and day work from SOC, 9Oc and $500
per day up to SLAB to SO. 2s per day.
If the union men here were not &C.
quainted by practical experience with
the fruits of the organization, then
they might be prevailed upon by dem
agogues that there was nothing in the
organization, but the only way to wipe
this knowledge out is to outlive the
present generation. There is too much
work all over this country now to
force men to work under adverse cir
cumstances, and to help tear down the
noble structure they have erected by
their handiwork. If there is any one
thing that is uppermost in the minds
and conceptions of the union men of
Whitwell, it is that they are among
the pioneers in the south, who have
planted the seed of unionism in the
southland and have lived to see the
fruits thereof.
1t will be but very few years until
all our people will wonder why they
have not been union all the time
The officers of the organization have
seen fit upon whole to have the strike
voted off, but we as the rank and file,
who have always fought the winning
battles of the organization, have resell
we'd to continue this strike until sue
cess crowns our efforts at the Whit
we'll mines.
We would much prefer that the T.
G. I. Co., would continue its open
shop policy with non-union workmen
until they are satisfied to treat with
our people as Americans and as pract-
ical workmen who are willing and anx-
ious, as union men, to again produce
for the T. G. |. Co., their normal out.
put, with or without an electric
plant.
J We are very grateful to the organic
alton for the support it has rendered
us in our struggle and we entirely ex'
onerate it's efforts as a whole, touching
this strike as whole, but tho ranl
and file are our battlement and oul
, local success is our own to accomplish
and we are our own for victory.
j. NJ. GRIFFITH, Pres
uou 10 nuno nhsih.s,o