The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-09-10

81, comments as follows upon the
situation in the mining districts OF
that state:
The coal miners strike in this
Stat mas been officially called off
bv those entrusted with the author
itv to act, and it might be we'll to
reyiaw briefly the reason for calling
it Of, the conduct Of the strike and
the reason it was called.
''S'irst, the national convention
ct the United Mine tWorkers, in
session at indianapolis last spring,
instructed the various officials in
charge of it's affairs to make no
contracts with operators anywhere
at less than last years. wages; that
owing to the Industrial depression
Oh q: that time an attempt might
be made to reduce wages, which in
our opinion would further intensity
the panic, and there is no denying
the tact tnat the prosperity of a
State or nation depends upon the
welfare of its common people, and
in this connection the people of
Alabama should awake to the real
facts and know that the principal
reason they are not prosperous is
because the rates OF wages are so
extremely small that men cannot
buy even the common necessities
OF life.
"When this strike was called
many good, honest men were actu-
ally in debt to the companies, and
about all they had to show for
i.l Cfc T.,
month showing how many dollars
they were in debt to the company
for he privilege Of working. No
other coal companies in the United
States attempted to reduce the
wages of their employees during the
past year except those in Alabama,
and it is difficult to understand
why the industrial depression af-
tccted Alabama operators 174%
more than any of the other con
Germs, this being the reduction
which brought about the strike.
These operators enjoy Il market
for their coal not enjoyed by any
anywhere, and were already pay
ing 40 to l25M loss than is paid IN
other States, Il rate of wages that
was An insult to any American
workman, which is reflected in the
manner IN which they are compell-
ed to live.
~ have visited the mining Sec
uonS OF many States, and nowhere
have | seen such absolute poverty
and want as is seen here, and yet
WHEN the miners protest by going
ON strike an armed band OF despe.
radov> employed by the companies
tn drive them back to the mines,
break up their peaceable meetings,
thrown into jail, have their tents
torn down and even murdered and
Their wives and daughters insulted.
10 one unacquainted with the
situation such conditions scarcely
seem possible. The charge is made
thAt 3he camps were unSanitary,
but Tie board Of health does not
say so. and i'll fact they are much
NOR" sanitary than the so called
houses OF the companies.
" are now Informed by this
md" }nu call Governor that all the
can't III be broken up nOtwith-
>uh4Ing The fact the tents aae pCid
' '''N 'iili icdScu, CudC Cuc
lIEHt "i Assem- blage will be denied
aNl Ibis does not break the
HI''.H Il special session of the Leg
'>'d."'' called TO repeal the present
'"-t'#rE Jaw and have the striker
z'7.'' ~ vagrantS, and that he
"S.''' 1pt be responsible for what
i5-'t '.~ 10 the organizers personal
~ "I"-" Ives have been :thl eaten
ca b. black hand band or some
'"!'e 'l lhat sort.
addition to the extreme pov-
'-'N 'o Huu that Alabama stands
huttom of the list in the
10 llIlteracy, and if this
and starvation is to con
''ia fair to remain there
.31s show us that union
l' highest paid, that the
N"ld are the best educated
veg" walk of indust1 ial life.
hctore were there sucl
,."olitutes as have beer
' tAe coal companies pa
u .te Herald, the Besseme
.-'A such other sheets il
'4pt to incite riot ant
Int blood.
as .. '"i"re Judas so chea]