Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-07

PtttSburg, Pa.-The new miners arc
machines. One OF the most notable
features presented by the statistics OF
bituminous coal pa Dduction during the
past year or two is the increase in
the use Of machines and in the guam
tity of machine mined coal. In 1889
the percentage OF machine mined
tonnage was 2S: In 1906. 35l. In the
number OF machines in use and in the
amount of machine tonnage as In the
total production OF coal. Pennsylvania
stands far in the lead with 40 per
cent of the number OF machines and
45.6 per cent. OF tho machine mined
coal. West Virginia stands second.
Illinois. Kentucky and Indiana rank
next. These states contribute over 90
per cent. OF the total machine mined
coal.
Escauaba, Mich.-Following tho an
nouncement OF a further cut in wages
20 experienced machinists employed
in the Northwestern shops here
struck. Northwestern officials re-
duced the working time of all the shop
men from ten hours TO eight hours
and orders were issued reducing the
days week. The first reduction was
accepted without question. but the
second resulted I'm a walkout. II is
claimed that orders have been issued
TO reduce the company's pay roll in
the peninsula division 35 per cent
New York.-On behalf OF the Build
ing Trades Employers association an
official statement was made OF present
conditions in this city and the intcn.
lions OF the employers. Not for many
years have there been so many men
IDLE in the building industry as now,
says the statement. The prevailing
sentiment among the members OF the
association is not for reducing wages
in the trades whose agreements expire
at the end OF December. but to exercise
| the privilege OF selecting the best me
chanic for any work they have in
hand.
Reading, Pa.-Employes at the loco
motive shop OF the Reading company,
who have been working so hours a
week. will work 40 hours, or five days
OF nine hours. A suspension OF at
least five per cent. OF the force OF en-
! ployes will be made In the different
! departments. The employees at the
car shops will work 47Ih hours. with a
half holiday on Saturdays. Seven hun
| dred men in the roadway department
! OF the Reading system were laid on
| The remainder OF the force will be
put on nine hours a day.
New YOrk.-Returns made TO the
state bureau OF labor statistics for Sep
| TENDER show that the conditions or
employment during the first half OF the
year were not so favorable as those
| OF 1906, but better than those OF 1905.
| There were more disputes between
employers and employees up to the end
OF the second quarter OF the year than
for the last five years.
Lexington, Ky.-The suspension of
! light work on Thomas f. Ryan's South
| & Western railroad, the great new
trunk line from the southwestern Ken
lucky coal fields TO the Atlantic coast
has left 1900 men idle. A telephone
message received here states that the
contractors are reducing wages, and
fully thousand more men have quit
on that account.
Harrisburg, Pat was announced
by the Pennsylvania Railroad com
pany that all shop forces here will be
put on an eight-houI day. There will
also be a large reduction OF freight
crews shortly, and a number OF yard
crews have been laid on.
Norfolk, Va.-The American Fed
Grafton OF Labor, with but few dis.
senting votes, placed itself on record
as favoring a system OF government
postal savings banks and unanimously
| Endorsed an appeal by the Porto Rican
delegates to President Roosevelt and
congress for reforms in that insular
possession, with but one amendment.
accepted by the Porto Ricans, calling
for an immediate territorial form OF
government for Porto Rico
Washington.-Of the 300 occupations
followed by male bread winners all but
nine have been adopted by one or
more women. No women are reported
as United States soldiers, sailors or
marines, as members OF city FIRE de.
Dartments, as telegraph or telephone
linemen, as apprentices or helpers 10
roofers and skaters. or as helpers 10
steam boiler makers or 10 brass work.
ers.
New York--A canvass Of the stu.
/ alton reveals that 10000 skilled work.
men in the building trades are idle I'm
New York in 1903 and 1904. 10000
men I'm these lines we're working over.
time, and work was accumulated
ahead, waiting for men. To-day less
than half OF these have regular work
81. Louis.-An effort is being made
IN Missouri to obtain an appropriation
Of $4,000 for the establishment OF
steel plant at Jefferson city, to be Old.
Grated by prison labor. II is designed
that this plant shall turn out shapes
demanded by the counties for bridge
building and other Improvements.
London, Eng Trouble has been
brewing in the boot and shoe trade OF
England over the question OF a mini
mum wage The men demand &c shiI
iings a week, and for the females II
shlllings week The employers. 10 rs
said, are inclined 10 favor the former
but not the latter