Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-02-10
TELL WHY THEY STRUCK
Copper Miners Testify Before Con.
sressionaI Investigating Committee
Say Companies Increased Efficiency
at Expense Of Men.

at Expense Of Men.
Hancock, Mich, Feb. 10.-The con.
gressional investigators resumed theil
inquiry into conditions in the copper
country promptly at 9 O'Clock this
morning.
o. H. Hilton, counsel for the Western
Federation Of Miners, read into the
record more notations on miners pay
envelopes to show the low monthly
wage earned by some workers under
the contract system.
Despite the fact that it was the cold.
est day Of the winter the hall was vel
filled when, the hearing began.
Deductions for such items as "llos.
pttal. store and board" were shown or
some Of the envelopes.
I'VE will prove. said Mr.. Hilton
that In many Instances the mining
company would take out Of the EN-
rloyes pay the amount owed it and
then pay the storekeeper and the
boarding house keeper from what was
left" >
The exhibits covered a wide period
some dating back to 1898.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Casey, OF
the committee. NJ. K. Kerr. assisting
Hilton. explained the system of pay
used by the companies. All under
ground workers except the miners. he
said, were paid day wage. The
miners worked on contract.
William j. Rickard, president Of the
Calumet local of the Western Fedora
ton of Miners. then resumed the wit
ness stand and continued the story he
began last night.
Mr.. Howell, of the committee, asked
the witness if miner frequently was
not able to make more by contract :han
on fixed daily wage. Ricord said he
could during the term Of his contract,
if he happened to strike a good vein,
but in that case he was cut down when
the time came to make new contract.
It was for that reason, he said, that
the men demanded minimum wage OF
So a day.
what would happen If miner re-
fused a contract rendered him by a
mine boss? ~ he was asked.
"He would have to work somewhere
else" He added that a miner who took
such action would have difficulty in
finding work in this section.
He made the statement that a man
Of his age could not afford to leave one
company's employ because other CON-
panies would not take on new man
who was over 40.
The witness told about the miners
local union and its connection with
the Western Federation.
"a strike was ordered by a referen-
dunn vote, altho.' he said, "the fedora
ton officers opposed it,.
"The men insisted on going out be-
cause conditions were growing worse" "
he added.
"How?" asked Chairman Taylor.
'.More work was demanded of the
men," replied the witness
Chairman Taylor asked the witness
to give specific instances where more
work was required. Ricord said the
installation of the one-man drill had
put an added burden on the miners
and trammers who were eorced to move
twenty-four cars of rock daily instead
of sixteen or eighteen, as formerly.
''You think. then, that the companies
have been increasing their efficiency at
the expense Of the men?" asked the
chairman.
II certainly do" he answered.
Ricord was cross examined by Allen
F. Reese, Of counsel for the mining
companies.
'You have said that when you were
employed In the Atlantic mine you
were compelled to patron;ze the COM
pany store. Do you. think you would
have been discharged ifMXou had dealt
with stores In Houghton?"
II certainly do"
do you know Of any one who was
discharged?'
NO k