The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-03-18
WILL THERE BE A STRIKEp ?

The leading demands oil the mine
workers are that the Union shall be
recognized by the operators, and
that they shall be paid increased
wages for a shorter day.
The operators have issued a
statement in viii III they refuse to
concede any of these demands.
They say in part: "At various
times the operators have stated
their reasons for not entering into
contract with the United Mine
Workers of America, This ques-
tion was the subject of exhaustive
study by the Strike Commission,
which positively declined to graut
the demand for such a contract.
Anyone who reads the pages of the
official report devoted TO discus
sion of the demand for 'recogni-
ton will be fnlly convinced that
it would not be for the best inter-
ests of the public, of the operators
or even of the mine workers them
selves, for the United Mine Work
ers of America to be recognized as
a party to a contract governing the
relations between employers and
employees i'll the anthracite region.
On Page 65 of It's record, for eX-
ample, the Strike Commission, after
criticising certain policies of the
union, made this general statement:
THE present constitution of the
United Mine Workers of America
does not present the most inviting
inducements to the operators to
enter into contractual relations
with it."
The operators have stood in the
past, and they stand now, for the
"open shop" They will treat
union and non-union men alike.
They will exercise no discrimina-
ton against or in favor of any man
because of his membership or non
membership in any labor organiza-
tion.
As to the demands for increased
wrges and shorter working day,
it is absolutely impossible to grant
them without increasing the price
OF coal to the consumers. This the
operators will not consent to do
nor will they even consider it.
Under strict application of eco
nomic law the present condition of
business would compel a reduction
instead of an increase in wages, the
natural consequence being fall in
the price of coal. Among the oper-
ators there was strong feeling
that such reduction of wages
should be put into effect; but, for
the sake of stability in the anthra-
cite industry-from unwillingness
to disturb an agreement which has
brought peace-it was decided to
'ffer renewal of the present agree
inent.
MINERS HIGHLY PAID.
With the industries of the coun-
Try IN their present state, the an
.hracite mine workers are very for
innate to have such an agreement
lnder which to work. If either
'ide should be eager to renew it, it
is not the operators but the mine
workers. For it is undeniably a
iact that the employees of the an
hraci,e mining companies, compar-
ID with other wage earners of whom
:qual skill and training are required
IRE highly paid.
Not only are their minimum
:arnings fixed at high level, but
hey are assured by the sliding
Gale arrangement of one per cent.
Increase in earnings for every in.
rease of five cents above 81. 50 per
on in the price of domestic sizes of
anthracite at tidewater. AS the
rice averaged around $4.S5 last
ear, the mine workers earnings
we're seven per cent. above the min
mum fixed by the strike commits
ion."
THE OTHER SIDE.
"A general tie-up of all coal mines,
anthracite and bituminous, in the
United States in April, 1910, is the
fump card held in reserve oy the
liners, who have been embittered
y the refusal of the coal operators
grant any concessions whatever
the three Pennsylvania anthra-
ite districts.
1t is fact that all bit umino us
greements expire on March 81,
HOWs Thisp
We offer One Hundred Dollars