Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-13

machines. One of the most notable
features presented by the statistics OF
bituminous coal production 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 %: In 1906. 35i. 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 as per
cent. Of the number OF machines and
ass per cent OF the machine mined
coal. West Virginia stands second.
Illinois. Kentucky and Indiana rank
next. These states contribute over 80
per cent OF the total machine mined
coal.
Escanaba. Mich.-Following the an
nouncement OF further cut in wages
% 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
working time OF shop employees to four
days week. The first reduction was
accepted without question. but the
second resulted In a walkout. II il
claimed that orders have been issued
to reduce the companys pay roll in
the peninsula division IS 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 inten.
tions OF the employers. Not for many
years have there been 30 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 46 hours. or FIVE DAYS
OF nine hours. A suspension OF at
least Ave per cent OF the force of en-.
ployes will be made In the different
departments. The employees at the
car shops will work AN hours, with a
half holiday on Saturdays. Seven hun
dred men in the roadway department
OF the Reading system were laid off.
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
or 1906, but better than those or 1905.
There were more disputes between
employers and employees up to the end
or 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
Il 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 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-hour day. There will
also be a large reduction OF freight
crews shortly, and a number Of yard
crews have been laid or
Norfolk, Va.-The American Fed.
Grafton OF Labor, with but few dis
sentinB votes. placed itself on record
as favoring 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 800 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 OF
marines, as members OF city FIRE de.
partments, as telegraph or telephone
linemen, as apprentices or helpers to
roofers and skaters, or as helpers 10
steam boiler makers or TO brass work
ers
New York--A canvass Of the sltu.
alton reveals that 10000 skilled work.
men In the building trades are idle I'm
New York. In 1903 and 1904, $4,000
men In 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 !
st. Louis.-An EFFORT Is being made !
Ia Missouri to obtain an appropriation
OF $4,000 for the establishment OF a |
steel plant at Jefferson City, TO be Cd. |
Grated by prison labor 10 Is designed |
that this plant shall turn out shapes /
demanded by the counties for bridge /
building and other improvements.
London, Ems. Trouble has been |
brewing in the boot and shoe trade OF /
England over the question Of a mini |
mum wage. The men demand 30 shil /
lings a week, and for the females 81 /
shillings a week. The employers, Il f. |
said, are inclined to favor the former.
but not the latter.
AFFLICTED WITH SORE EYES