Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1914-12-17
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lBy Charles Wingerter.

| .s(by w 1uS0IE0I.J
The real point in the mining con-
troversy of eastern Ohio has not been
grasped yet by the general public.
That issue is too close to US to be
seen readily. We often overlook
things, like the salt cellar or the PEN
wiper, when they are under our very
eyes.
In this controversy the question is
evident and clear to the miners. They
are benumbed with amazement that
the general public, especially the bust
ness public, does not see it promptly.
The public, on the other hand, in
dignantly refuses to beliefe that any
controversy could possibly arise about
matter as plain as pike-staff,
''The man in the street" and the press
writer even, thinks that there surely
must be some other question really
in dispute And so we see discussed
hundred small side issues, such as
the profits of the operators, the Pitts
burgh scale, the referendum and other
irrelevant topics. But the cardinal
and pivotal point is left absolutely un1
touched.
The Momentous Question. 't,
"Shall a man keep at any cost his
solemnly pledged faith?" Every hon.
orable man to whom this question is
put fairly and squarely will promptly
answer, eyes. By all means. A man
had better S arve to death than break
his pledged faith" -
There stands the naked issue of the
whole controversy. The operators
urge the men to break faith. The
| miners to a man refuse. The mine
owners punish them by 'ocking them
out of the mines. The operators, we
are told in the press, threaten even
worse punishment. Strike-breakers
are to be brought in to take the mems
places before their very eyes. That
would be cruel punishment indeed,
Their fellow citizens in the state
militia are to be persuaded to sn0ot
Them as men shoot rats. To look upon
that possible horror would be a tor
| .ur for mere spectators even
The men have borne their unjust
i punishment in brave silence for nine
Imontes. They hope, with Gods help,
to hold out, until April 1, 1915. They
are fighting with the splendid and ter
rible courage of the meek. They are
l6gstin~ to establish the. only issue
manheod can accept. They are fight
ling for us. and for mans faith in his
fellow man They are fieht1ng for
ithe basis of all credit And thus they
are fighting for business-for honest
Little Business, and for Big Business,
+, too.
The miners of eastern Ohio are
lighting for the cause of every man
who with confidence accepts another
mans check. They are fighting for
the security and faith of every banker
who pays out money and takes a
mans note in exchange. They are
lighting for the peace OF mind o.
Ieyery capitalist who complacently
lputs q bond into his lock-box.
A Bit of Recent History.
i A conference representing all the
local miners and operators OF Ohio
Twas held in Columbus last summer
lSuch a conference has been held every
1.-TWO years for twenty. years. Every
mast conference has agred upon
wage rate for the whole state OF Ohio
AT the recent Columbus conference
however, joint agreement OF miners
| and operators was not reached The
disturbing factor was the new anti
lscreen law. The operators Withdrew
: from the conferences.
The miners themselves remained
THEY tried to solve the problem pc
!, flor them. Their aim Was to TX rat.
for mining th1s would be the equiye