Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-08-18
CONDITIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA
COAL FIELDS GREATLY
IMPROVED.
GREAT BENEFIT FROM
SENATE INVESTIGATION
Wage Concessions, Shorter Hours and
Permission to Purchase Supplies
From Other Than Company Stores
Peace Prevails Where Martial Law
and Riot Recently Ruled.

public attention has been directed to II,
coal fields have much improved
as the result of the senate investiga-
ton a short time ago and the agitation
over disclosures by the senate commit
tee.
This statement is made by Frank
Flehand. an influential member OF the
United Mine Workers, who was prom
inent in urging senators to order the
investigation.
Order is Restored.
Mr.. Flehan says that peace and order
have been restored in the celebrated
Paint Creek, Cabin Creek and New
River districts and that the miners
have been granted important conces-
sions by the operat tors. It was in these
districts, especially in the Paint Creek
and Cabin Creek regions. that for over
a year, a small-sized civil war ragged
with loss Of life. with grave abuses aad
outrages, and with terrible privations
and suffering on the part OF the lam
lilies of the striking men.
Miners Granted Concessions.
The miners have been granted re-
~
the union and other concessions. The
houss formerly were from ten upwards
They have been cut to nine. The wage
increase amounts to about 10 per cent
The men have also been allowed what
is known as a check on for union dues
This is something they never expected
to get and is an allowance Tor union
dues from the operators. They nave
been granted check wetgmen ana are
no longer compelled to deal with tne
company store8 The guard system mas
been abolished, also martial law zone
away with, while civu law Is recognized
as the ruling force.
These are advances OF the utmost
value 30 the miners. In fact, they put
these fields on par with other union
lied fields in the country where 1aif
conditions Of labor prevail
company Store Competition.
The fact that the company store -
no lonRer to be the only store wnefe
the miner can trade where his wife can
buy groceries or goods OF any sort, -
one of the most valuable gains made by
the men, according TO Mr.. F1ehand. The
company store system put the miners
and their families in q sort Of bondage
to the operators, compelled them TO pay
exorbitant prices, and kept them IN
Continual debt to the companies. Al
least that was the tendency OF II. The
new order Of things with respect to
company stores alone goes long way
! toward releasing the miners from q
system that closely resembled peonage.
Inquiry Not Completes.
The senate committee, which con-
sfsts of Senators Kenyon, Shields. Mar
ittne and Borah. has not completed ltd
INQUIRIES but 80 far as the OPERATOR
are concerned results have already
| been accomplished. It IS believed the
effects will be felt turnout West VIZ
einia and doubtless in other states
where reprehensfble labor conditions
exist. Those acquainted with the labor
situation in West Virginia say the Goa
| fields are not the only ones where
| workinKmen have been held in circum
stances little better than slavery. Much
complaint is heard from the glass IN
dustry, for, one thing. Mr.. Flehar
points out that for some reason tht
Zines Of class caste are moro stronsl,
drawn in West Virginia than In any
other state. He attributes part OF TINS
to the fact that come Of the employer
OF labor have leaped to riches IN a oa1
thru the wonderful natural resources
! OF This commonwealth.
Ishrenv6l wconditfons-M NJ " q .es e.