The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-11-30
MIAERS 5h wilson
FlR RAY INCREASE
Coz END That Cost Of Liy-
ing Justifes An
Advance.

Because Of the increased cost in liv-
IN the miners have made urgent ap-
reals TO President Wilson 10 grant
fIie1 an Increase in wages after they
ere refused an increase by Federal
= fIsI Administrator Garfield.
Along these lines Frank ]. Hayes,
International president OF the united
fine Workers, has had quite little
70 say. In part he has said: Can
collation. OF war orders, a reduced
building program, viii form ba-
f0rgthe shifting Of labor, which
TAR to disturb our industrial sit
nation. Wages have gone up but they
not advanced proportionately TO
the increased cost Of living. All
nthorities agree that there is no Ike
mood Of prices declining for at least
year. But despite this prophecy
councils OF employers are now deV1s-
ing programs to batter wages down.
Continuing Mr.. Hayes says: Labor
must accept no reductions. Having
frioticaHy mined the coal, manu-
faetured the munitions, built the ships
ana oRered their sons that made pos
sEl1Ie the defeat of autocracy, labor
VIII not accept as its reward a reduc-
ton IN wages"
The telegram, which the United
States Nine Workers sent to Presi-
dent Wilson was as follows:
Since last July the representatives
OF the United Mine Workers Of Amer
Federal Fuel administrator, for an in
crease IN mining prices for the miners
oE the United States. On October
first Dr.. Garfield permitted the an
fhracite mine workers to present their
reasons for an advance in wages and
later on October fourteenth. he allow
ed them an increase, but on October
tWenfysfourth he denied an increase
70 the bitumfnous miners
We regard this decision, affecting
the bftuminous miners Of the United
States. as unfair; therefore we ap-
peal to you from the decision Of DIR.
ardeld In appealing to you we ask
only that the same treatment be ac-
corded the bftuminous miners OF the
United States as that given the an
thraefte mine workers and the en-
ployes Of the shipbuilding industry.
9yge.ask for the privilege of presenting
the claim Of the bituminous miners
for an increase in wages in the same
way and in the same manner as. that
which DR. Garfield authorized as af-
fectng the anthracite mine workers.
It IS not sufficient when DR.. Garfield
states that the bitumnous mine work
eEs are not entitled to an increase in
ginning prices In making such
statement he denies to them the fun
tamental right of presenting facts and
t9e reasons why they feel they are
Justified IN seeking an increase in
wages. Surely such an important
body Of our citizenship can not be de-
nied$he right to present their case to
proper authority.
The claim OF the bituminous miners
Tor an increase In wages is based upon
an increase In the cost of living
amounting to more than twenty per
cent. during the last year, as shown
By statistics gathered from reliable
sources In mining communities
Eoughout the United States. In adj
dillon the bitumfnous mine workers
ere prepared to present additional
facts to sustain their contention.
his appeal to you is ordered by
the bona dde representatives of five
hundred thousand bihminouS miners.
assembled IN conference from every
coal mining state in the Union. They
deeply recent the treatment accorded
LIE 6p0hGSu4S4- O4 ILS GG11ueIS OIL me
United States by Federal Fuel Adj
m1iIstrator Garfield, in that they were
DEPRIVED Of the opportunity of a prop
er hearing, and the bituminous min
ems OF tho United States were denied
IN increase in wages commensurate
At least with the increase in the cost
OF the necessaries OF life. If his de-
cision Is to stand it will jeopardize the
polfCsy OF the Federal government in
standardfzing rates in essential war
industries. Such a position is arbi-
tEaFYs autocratic and Unfair and will
destroy confidence in the plans and
policies Of the government to stabilize
wages IN industry.
We feel that the splendid record Of
the coal miners of the United States
during an the period since our country