The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-06-24
PUBLIC AND MINERS
ALIKE EXPLOITED BY
OPERATORS MURRAY
CRv Associated Press)

SCRANTON, Pa, June 24-The gen
eral public and the mine workers were
held up as the joint victims of profit
teering on the part of the coal Oper-
ators by Philip Murray, vice president
of the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea in presenting today to the federal
anthra cite coal commission, which
opened its session here today. a de-
mand that the workers in the Pennsyl-
vania anthracite fields be granted a
minimum of six dollars a day.
IF the excessive profits resulting
from the coal monopoly were eliminat-
ed and the industry conducted with
wholesome regard for the public well
fare said Mr.. Murray, a liberal re-
turn could be made to capital honest
ly and prudently invested, the wages
Of the anthracite workers could be in
creased to American living standards
and the price of coal to the consumer
could be greatly reduced.
Under the practical operation of
the coal monopoly since 1898. both the
worker in the mines and the consumer
of anthracite coal have been grievous-
ly exploited. Until conditions have
been turned to the public interest.
there can be no permanent hope in
the industry, either for those who
labor to produce coal or those who use
it for domestic or other purposes"
Summarizes Miners Demands.
The anthracite miners demands
We're summarized by Vive President
Murray as follows:
Establishment of a minimum living
wage of six dollars a day for adult
workers.
Increase of one dollar day to all
men who receive the minimum
Increases of 81 per cent on all con-
tract rates.
Extension of the hour day to those
occupations based on a longer work
day, such as engineers, pump men and
stable men
Standardization of rates of pay for
the same work throughout the field
and
Formal recognition of the United
Nine Workers of America
Says 500 Is Wage.
The highest paid miners in the
Pennsylvania anthracite fields can
earn little more than 500 month
under the present wage scale, Thomas
Kennedy, president Of District No 7,
United States Mine Workers of
America, told the commission.
Mr. Kennedy contended that anthra-
cite miners must work overtime to
make enough money to 'eke out an ex.
istence". He said miner paid the
highest inside day rates-S4 62-would
earn 81 POI % year if he worked
2I3 days--the number he added, af
fOrded by the anthracite operators in
1919
We contend" Mr. Kennedy de
clared, that the anthracite industry
owes to its employees enough wages
for an eight hour day. which is the
basis day in the industry to enable
the workers to live according to the
American standards of living and II
addition to be able to save money fol-
| future needs when they will be unable
! to follow their work on account o
| old age or other causes
PHILADELPHIA. June 24-Effect:
Of The railroad yard mems strike have
reached the anthracite coal regions
and it was said today that both produc
ton and shipm ents of hard coal would
/ be At a standstill unless there is
/ speedy Improvement in the situation
I Reports from POttsville and Readin,
! said large numbers of Reading raj,
! way men have joined the walkout
Harrisburg. Tamaqua and other UP
state points also reported accession
to the strikers ranks.