Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-28


machines. One OF the most notable
features presented by the statistics Of
bituminous coal pl >duction during the
past year or two is the increase In
the use of machines and I'm the guam.
tity of machine mined coal. In 1889
the percentage of machine mined
tonnage was %; 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 tho lead with as 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 the an
nouncemcnt OF further cut in wages
20 experienced machinists employed
in the Northwestern shops here
struck. Northwestern officials ro.
duced the working time OF all the shop
men from ten hours to eight hours
and orders We're issued reducing the
working time OF shop employees to four
days a 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 tho Build.
ing Trades Employers association an
official statement was made OF present
conditions In this city and the intcn.
lions of tho 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
I'm 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 IS 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 Az 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 viii be
put on nine hours day.
New York.-Returns made to the
state bureau of labor statistics for Sep
TENDER show that the conditions OF
employment during the first half OF ,he
year were not so favorable as those
or 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 i. Ryan's South
e Western railroad, the great new
trunk line from the southwestern Ken
lucky coal fields to the Atlantic coast
has left 5000 men Idle a Telephone
message received here states that the
contractors are reducing wages. and
fully thousand more mon have quit
on that account.
Harrisburg. Pat was announced
by the Pennsylvania railroad com
pany that all shop forces here VIII be
put on an eighthour day There viii
also be large reduction OF freight
crews shortly and a number Of yard
crews have been laid Oh.
Norfolk, Na-The American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, with but few dis
senting votes. placed Itself on record
as fayoring p system OF government
postal savings banks and unanimously
Endorsed AN appeal by the Porto Rlcan
delegates 10 President Roosevelt and
congress for reforms in that insnlar
possession, with but one amendment.
accepted by The Porto Ricans. calling
for an immediate territorial form OF
government for Porto Rico
Washington OF the SOB 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
par:ments, as telegraph or telephone
linemon, AZ apprentices or helpers 10
roofers and skaters. or as helpers TO
steam boiler makers or 20 brass work
ers
New York.--A canvass Of The stu.
alton reveals that 30 900 skilled work
men I'm the building trades are idle Boo
New York. In 1903 and 1904. 10000
men IN these lines were working over.
time, and work was accumulated
ahnnH u.