The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-05-28
OPERATORS CONCEDE
FUNDAMENTALS
For Which Ohio Coal Miners Her
oically Struck for Fourteen
Months; Mines Prepar-
ing to Reopen.
By K. c. ADAMS

By K. c. ADAMS
BRIDGEPORT, OHIO, May 90
After fourteen months gamble with
'fate" thirteen thousand miners are
now preparing to return to the mines
under the provisions of contract ap-
proved in special convention May IL,
by vote of "a to 4, which grants to
them the fundamentals for which they
have suffered untold hardships to
achieve
Justly can it be said that the VIC
tory should constitute an object les
son to the unwary who, in time of con-
flict, are continually beseiged by dis
turbers-from within and without
who breathe the air of dissension and
foster encouragement everywhere.
For 10 and behold, what the apostles
Of destruction have, for fourteen
months, characterized as an impossi-
bility is now reality. Such is the
glorious outcome of the history-mak-
ing struggle.
Cleanup Work Starts in
Hurricane Fashion.
Immediately following the news of
the contracts ratification by the min
ers in convention a dozen operators
ordered the day men to start work.
Within two days time nearly ninety
per cent Of the mines were being put
in readiness. A remarkable admis
sion by the operators that the condi-
tions imposed in the contract-bitter-
ly fought by them as being impossible
to observe and ruinous to the indus
try-were practical after all. Such is
the vindication of the miners from
the hostile enemy.
Like all other big labor wars, the
operators have lost large contracts
during the prolonged fight, which, add
ed to dissention in their own ranks,
made the outcome of the conference
extremely doubtful. Little attempt
was made prior to the ratification of
the scale by some of them to secure
business. However, for sales agents
report prospects bright for old con-
tract renewals, with some chances for
new business.
Few Operators Were Hopeful
Disagreement Would Result.
During the operation of the previ-
Gus contract in Eastern Ohio, local
strikes were an every day occurrence.
The obstructionists in the camp of
the operators saw in this condition a
chance to block a settlement, hoping
the miners would go on record as
favoring the stampede strike and
thereby lose the public's support. AS
result of this scheming, they pro-
prosed a penalty clause similar to the
one in effect in the southwest-Illi-
nois, Iowa and other states. Much to
their surprise they found the miners
were perfectly willing to accept a
penalty provision of this character
Delegates to Convention
JubiIant Over Victory.
No time was lost at the opening of
the convention in getting down to
serious consideration of the contract.
Every delegate was. provided with a
printed copy and followed closely the
reading Of each clause, many of
which were based on necessary read
justments following the change from
a screen coal to mine run. When
the reading of the contract was COM
pleted, President White, Vice Presi-
dent Hayes, Secretary Green, District
President Moore, Sub-District Presi-
dent Albasin, and members of the
scale committee, in the order named,
delivered explanatory addresses-giv-
ing to the delegates full, compre-
hensive Interpretation of the various
provisions.
The discussions that followed by
the delegates manifested some oppo'
sition to the penalty clause, but after
a detailed explanation of the provision
by President White the few delegates
offering objections admitted that in
effect the suspected evil, both real
and imaginary, could no doubt be
overcome. One hopeful sign was the
ready admission of all delegates tha'
local strikes were in direct conflic
with the progress and best interests
of the organization.
Faithful Stickers to Be
Given Preference.
The convention greeted with will
approval the arrangement whereof
the men who remained in tn
trenches" would be, given preferenc
of unemployment at all the mines
All strikers who left the strike ftel
Frnp, 0thar AtgtTiCt