The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-04-23
PRESIDENT CAIRNS TELLS OF
MINERS RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW

may advise them as to the proper
course TO be taken by them In regard
10 their employment, or. IL they
choose to repose such authority in
anyone-he may order them-on pain
OF expulsion from their union, % ace
ably TO leave the employ OF their en-
pioyer because any OF the terms OF
their employment are unsatisfactory.
They have the right 20 use per
suasion with all other laborers who
are invited TO take their places in
order TO convince them OF the advan-
tage TO labor in united action. The
erect or the organization OF labor. on
the whole. has been highly beneficial
In securing better terms OF employ.
ment for the whole laboring commun.
ity. What the capitalist. who is the
employer OF labor must face. is that
the organization of labor. the labor
union. is n permanent condition in
the Industrial world. II has come to
stay. You have heard the Indignant
expression OF the manager or the
superintendent that he did not pro
pose to have the labor union run his
business; that he would deal with his
own men and not with outsiders
The time is past when that attitude
can be assumed with any hope of
successfully maintaining il. The wise
manager OF the corporate ENTERPRISE
VIII receive the leaders Of labor
unions with courtesy and respect. and
listen 10 their claims and arguments
as they would to the managers of any
other corporate enterprise with
whom they we're TO make an import
ant contract. affecting the business
between them"
Cannot Organize.
In West Virginia in the non.uniou
ilelds. any coal miner who Joins
labor union or attempts TO organize
one. is Immediately discharged. and
under the iron-ciad or yellow dos"
lease within ten DAYS no finds his
wife and children set OUT into the
street and himself black-listed, and
II he secures employment in that
community he must do II under an
assumed name: or. II he becomes in
diSent and cries out against such
conditions he is shown down the
ROAD NJ the paid deputy. or beaten
up by mine guard
The miners organization Is noU
and has been for several years. INV
ing a Widows pension 70 West Vir
E'nia families whore the bread win.
ner has been taken CO; OF the indus.
trial field OF conflict m this manner
II the guards were hired for the Dur.
pose OF protecting the coal comranies'
property there would he 10 objection
TO his employment. but this IS not his
duty. His work is 70 prevent ON
ployecs from organizing into labor
union and 70 deto- them from clamor.
ing for fundamental principles. for
freedom n speech. for the tight OF
lawful assembly. FOR .hr freedom OF
the press. for liberty uudc- law for
constitutional government Tor civil
and religious freedom. for cuuaIiy
and justice 70 all. for home rule and
local self-goyernment for unshackled
opportunity. for social brotherhood as
opposed to sewage indiy!dralism. for
the actual rights OF man.
Joint Agreement
Tho United Mine Workers arc firm
believers in tho principles Of icin'
agreement. This permits " both
sides being represented around m.
conference table and by discussion
ana argument. arrivo az sucn corcl,.
sious a. viii best conserve the indus
trial peace Of tho community
These bargains are arrived ~ nv
taking INFO consideration freight
rates. cost ~ production: phVs:cal
conditions of tho mine. aud cor9pa,i.
tion. ard are 90 adjusted "a. TO nor
mt ~ each locality or miniu- lis