Pueblo chieftain., 1921-09-02

sen mine was operating yesterday and
that the Cameron mine was down, not
because of a strike but because of lack
of orders TO permit the operation OF
the mine.
President Wclborn's statement fol-
lows.
At meetings held on August 81. the
coal mine vorkmen employed by this
Colorado Fuel &; Iron Company at va
rious mines in the Trinidad and Wal
senburg districts voted to accept a
wage reduction, returning to the ecals
in effect from November /, 1917, to NO
vember 30. 1912 These agreement
were made BY representatives of the
employees after the men at the different
mines had voted to aCcept.-the reduc-
ton. Under the new scale the wages
of mule drivers and motormen typical
underground day rate occupationsi Will
he reduced 10 s525 per day of hours.
Coal diggers, paid by the ton, avcraE.
considerably higher earnings.
For some months the mines in Las
Anmas and iuorfano counties har.
been working on greatly reduced time,
owing TO the lack OF orders for coal.
Consumers have bcen unwilling to pur-
chase fuel beyond their immediate
needs at tho high price made neces-
sary by the prevailing wage scale and
other factors.
The Unemployment situation in the
southern Colorado coal fields was ag-
gravated by tho successive curtsil-
ments in operations at the Pueblo steel
works, resulting from the inability OF
the company. at tho prevailing labor
costs. to secure its share of the rcl-
ativnly small amount OF steel business
avails bio in tho country. Early in tho
year, tho steel workers shovel thcir
willingness to do their part in reducing
these costs by accepting a IL per cent
wage reduction. Later they accepted
another IL per cent decrease, making
the common labor rate 3sk cents an
hour. Both of thcse reductions wsro
made after similar or greater wage
cuts had been put into effect by com
petinS steel companies. Important
steel producing companies in tho East.
with whose products those of tho col
orado Fuel & Iron Company como in"
compe tition, have for come time been
operating with fuel labor costs at les-t
as low as those agreed upon by the
representatives OF Las Animss and
Hucrfano county miners.
During the past few months, tn,
management Of tho COMPANY has eE-
planned to tho mon from time to tim.
the low demand for coal and tho need
for readjustmcnt OF wage scales In or
der that "A reduction in prices OF coal
and steel might be made. About two
weeks ago, the miners at tho I>ebl-r
mine in Huerfano county voted TO re-
turn TO tho lal7-1o scale. upon the a.
suranco that by that means they could
secure reasonably steady work thru tn.
acceptance 10y tho company OF an order
for storage coal which could not be oh
tanned under the higher wage scale.
This reduction became effective Aus
ust Hith.
With an understanding OF tho busi-
ness situation as regards both coal and
steel. tho miners themselves, took the
Initiative in bringing about the agree
ment for wage reduction in Las AMI
mas and Hucrfano counties. The work
men were assured that any reduction
would he passed on to tho purchsrrr,
Tho mines affcccd are those which
produce coal used mainly for railroad
and manufacturing purposes. II tn.
miners in districts producing domcl-
tic coal accept = similar reduction,
thep rice of domestic coal will be sf-
fected accordingly
At the meetings held on August 81,
tho employees representatives adopted
tho following resolution:
Whereas, Tho Employees at the Coal
Mines of the Colorado Fuel and Iron
Co, tmentioned below have by -
largo majority expressed their willing
ness. in signed statement. to return
to tho wage scale in effect between
November 1st, 1917 and November
so. 1919, And
Whereas. We. tho undersigned e--
ployes representative believe that
reduction in wages is necessary in or
der to secure business and restore
normal conditions in tho coal. trade,
and further believe that tho coal con
euming public are entitled to lower
prices, therefore,
Be It Resolved. that NC. tho duly
elected representatives Of the em-
ploycs endorse the action Of rho cm-
ploves, and be IT further Resolved.
That we advise tho management OF
tho Colorado Fuel and Iron company
OF this action. aud of the acceptance
Of the scale above mentioned, ef-
fectivc on and after September. ist.