The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-03-30

Philadelphia March S0.-The sus-
pension OF coal mining in the anthra-
cite regions Of Pennsylvania, Monday,
April 1, will be the fourth general la
Dor disturbance in that industry in the
last twelve years. In 1900 the miners
struck six weeks: In 1902 they were
out five and a half months and In 1906
they again suspended work for siN
weeks. In the 1900 and 1902 strikes
the coal diggers through the United
Mine Workers of America and under
the leadership of John Mitchell. won
victories by gaining an increase in
wages and readjustmont of certain
working conditions. In neither struy-
pic. however, did the organization OBJ
tain what ii has in some of the btu
minous helds-straghtout recognition
of the union, although the officers OF
the union have carried on negotiations
as representatives of the men,
Prior to the first big break I'm 1900
there were sporadic strikes. but they
did not grow to any proportion because
the men were not well organized one
of the most serious of these strikes was
i'm 1897 at Lattimer in the Lehigh re-
gion. where I'm one clash between dep
| uty sherins and mine workers more
than twenty strikers were shot and
killed.
| In the 1900 strike the union had
about 1000 anthracite men upon IT'S
membership roll. The mines in the
wyoming. or northern coal field, shut
down first and the strike rapidly
spread southwark until the entire an
thracitc country was involved, about
$4,000 men being IDLE. This strike
came i'm a year when Presidential
| election was held and was settled II
favor of the men after much pressure
had been brought to bear upon the Goa
operators by Senator Mark Hanna. ol
ohio. who was then managing Presl-
dent McKinlcy's campaign for SECOND
i term. A 10 per cent. advance in wages
was granted To all classes of min'
workers,
The following year found the anthra
cite regions much disturbed by labo
i troubles. While there was no genera
movement. l02 separate strikes wer'
recorded during the year.
The 1902 strike. the greatest In tn
history OF the country, was hard Tough
1t was remarkable for the completeness
of the te-up and the losses incurred
! were enormous. The union asked for
e o per cent. Increase i'm wages, d re
= duction i'm hours from 10 TO doS
coal to be weighed wherever practic
G able instead of measured by the cal
e and recognition OF the union. IN
= strike lasted from May IL to Oetobe
les Nearly 1470 900 mine workers wer
$ idle and thousands of railroad an
other workers were thrown out OF EN-
8 ployment. The entire National Guar
= of PENNSYLVANIA. about 10000 mel
!, were called into service before TN
struggle came to an end.
President Roosevelt was instrumcn
taI i'm bringing the two sides togethe
= and to agreeing to the appointing Q
s. the Anthracite Coal Strike Commits
: sion TO arbitrate the differences. Th
q Commission visited many mines an
Il examined SOS witnesses between Octo
5 Der 1902, and February 1908.
Il awarded 10 per cent increase !
wages to miners and reduced the noun
: of men who were paid by the day fror
y 10 10 Q day. and made numerou
70 recommendation tending TO better III
working conditions of the men. 1t ais
: created the board of Cancellation I