Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-06

machines. One OF the most notable
features presented by the statistics OF
bituminous coal production during the
past year or two is the increase i'm
the use OF machines and in the guam
tity OF machine mined coal. In 1889
the percentage of machine mined
tonnage was %: in 1906. 35.1. 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
1876 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
20 experienced machinists employed
in the Northwestern shops here
struck Northwestern flclals 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 I'm a walkout 1t is
claimed that orders have been issued
TO reduce the company's pay roll in
the peninsula division 80 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 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 80 hours
week, will work 10 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 471a hours, with a
half holiday on Saturdays. Seven hun
dred men In the roadway department
or the Reading system were laid off
The remainder of the force will be
put on nine hours a day.
New York.-Returns made to tho
state bureau OF labor statistics for Sep
TENDER show that the conditions or
employment during the first half of the
year were not 80 favorable as those
or 1905, 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 r. Ryans 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 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 large reduction of freight
crews shortly, and a number of yard
crews have been laid of
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 1903 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.
partments, as telegraph or telephone
linemen, as apprentices or helpers to
roofers and skaters, or as helpers to
steam boiler makers or TO 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 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
In Missouri to obtain an appropriation
OF $4,000 for the establishment of a
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 30 shII.
lings 2 week. and for tho females 81
shillings a week The employers. it IS
said, arc inclined 20 favor the former.
but uot the latter
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