The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-03-28
indianapolis, Indiana,
March IS, 1919.
The Everett Labor Journal,
Everett, Washington.

GTeSluBnL I1dye VI LhS OhlISN
Mine Workers of America declares
for a six hour day in his organiza-
tion to the Policy Committee of that
organization at the opening session
of their conference held in Indian
apolis this morning. Amid the ap-
plause of the assembled delegates,
representing over one-half million
coal miners, President Frank j.
Hayes. before presenting his rec
concentrations, in a stirring speech
said in part:
"We must not tear down or de-
stroy the superstructure of civil
ization. We must build upon the
present foundation in an orderly,
sensible way society in which la
Dor shall share fully in the reward
which is it's due We must build
sanely and constructively, not for
today alone but for all the days
that are to come. The forces of ev-
olution intelligently guided by the
power of labor will do no man
wrong and will create social order
in which every right thinking man
can find his place and do his part
in making the world a better and
brighter place for all mankind.
There is an organization of labor in
America which should play more
prominent part in this reconstruc-
tion neriod than our own union, the
largest trade organization affiliat-
ed with the American Federation OF
Labor. Therefore, in accord with
the thoughts | have expressed,
take the liberty of submitting for
the consideration of this policy COM
mite meeting the following fun
damental principles as a basis to
guide us in our coming negotiations
with the operators.
The following recommendations
were submitted to the conference by
President Hayes and were received
with enthusiasm by the representa-
tives of the Miners Union who par
ticipated in the conference;
1st. | recommend the establish
ment of six hour workday, five
days a week, as a remedial propo-
sition to solve the peculiar stu
alton existing in the mining indus
try today. l have long entertained
the idea of a shorter workday, be-
lieying that it was the only means
of promoting a condition in which
all the mine workers of America
could share in the markets of the
nation. ! need not say that thous-
ands of our people are idle today;
that a very large number of the coal
mines of the country are working
only half time; that if the necessa-
ry requirements of the markets were
apportioned among all the mines OF
the country workday of six hours,
five days a week, would more than
supply the existing demands. We
are engaged in hazardous occu-
patton shut out form the light of
day, working amid poisonous fumes
and gesses that too often shorten the
lives of our people. If there is any
calling in our industrial life that
is entitled to a short workday as
an economic measure as we'll as a
measure to protect the health and
life Of the worker, then 1T is the
calling in which we are engaged.
For some time The miners of Great
Britain and other countries have
sought to establish the principle of
the six hour day. And ! am happy
to say at this very moment Lloyd
George, Premier of Great Britain,
has appointed. commission to con-
slider this claim of the British mine
workers and ell prospects indicate
that The governmental commission
will recognize the validity and prac-
ticability of the proposition.
2nd. | recommend q substantial
increase in all existing tonnage, day
work, yardage and dead work prices.
In support of this claim wish to re-
fer to the high cost of living and to
the lack of opportunity, due to the
idleness of the mines, to make an
average wage that will compare IA
vorably with other classifications
of skilled labor. If we were per-
mitted to worktsteadily, if we were
not idle a large part of our time.
our demand for a wage advance
might not be properly understood.
and people unacquainted with our
industry might take occasion to
criticise such claim, but in view
of the fact that tho average wages
of tho nina workers are not as fair