The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-09-05

them at the expiration of the present
contract. The Organization on Paint
Creek Is making very rapid strides,
and before the expiration of the pres
ent month it is hoped that practi-
cally every man working in and
around the mines that are eligible to
membership will be paying dues to
the Organization. l desire especially
to relate circumstance at Local
Union No. 1858, at Greenbrier. The
Local Union appointed committee
of three, headed by the genial Ex-
Board Member V. ID. johnson, to
prevail on the men to pay up all
their back dues, their efforts were
crowned by success, they succeeded
in collecting $4,000 from the men,
practically putting every man work
ing in the mines in proper relative
standing with the Organization.
The committee and officers and men
are to be highly commended for their
success, and it is the hope that this
sentiment will prevail, and gradual
ly extend to the non-organized parts
OF this State, where our fellowman
are practically working in bondage,
and are being oppressed, and ad-
vantages taken of them in every CON
ceivable way, placing them below the
standard in which it was intended
for American citizens to go.
The reports from Longacre where
the organization increased from 90
members to 1875; from Smithers.
where it increased GO over the pre-
vious month; at Powellton, Boomer
No. l and 2, Carbondale, Plymouth.
Black Betsey, Raymond City, Oak
land, Cannelton, Gamoca, Eureka,
Ward, Mammoth, Winifrede, and a
number of other places are encour-
aging, and such interest as is being
manifest at present is what perpetu-
atcs the principles of the United
Mine Workers of America.
The miners of the state are fully
awakening to the realization of the
actual conditions that confronts
them, and are fully recognizing tina
without a unit of action on their
part, that their best interest will be
jeoparlized and will make impos-
siblc better conditions, rightful pro-
lection in their hazardous occupa-
ton in the mines.
There appeared an editorial re-
Gently i'll a Fayettc paper, entitled
''Mine Organization" in which the
editor processes to know practically
all about our Organization, and he
laid particular stress upon the condi-
tions existing in the non-organizcd
field, taking the position that the
men are well satisfied with existing
conditions, and that where organ
ization had maintained foot-hold
in West Virginia that it was Of no
special benefit to the miners, that
it was being kept up by the opera
tors of the other states, for their
own mutual gain. Such statements
are absurd, and created false i'm
preston before the public, but it
is only carrying out the wills and
dictates of their task masters.
Every intelligent miner knows
full well what the Organization has
been to him, and he knows that Or
ganizcd efforts on his part will bring
increased mining rates, better con-
ditions in and around the mines, and
above all, the right to express his
views, and TO complain when his
rights are being assailed. We know
that organization changes the sys-
tenn of paying for coal by the car,
as are being done in the non-organ-
lied field of this state today, where
the operators pay so cents per car
for pick mining, and this car has a
capacity Of 3 tons, and 2240 pounds
to the ton, or 1G 2-3 cents per ton,
and their system of protection is so
perfect that if any one of the min
ers complain he is classed as a I'm
ionist, and summarily discharged,
where freedom of speech, and press
abound.
Every individual miner must rec
ognize that certain duties and re-
sponsibilities devolve upon him, and
to change these undesirable condi-
tions, that he must put forth every
effort in his own behalf and in his
fellowman.
B. S. Hastings.