Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-29
REVIEW OF COAL
STRIKES DURING
PAST rs YEARS

Indianapolis, Ind, March 2S.-B!
the Associated Press -Great Goa
strikes, such as the country is Sow
facing. have been few although for
seventy-five years the coal industry
had been marked by almost number
less state wide and localized strikes
often involving several thousands OF
workers. All of the big strikes have
continued more than a month, the
longest having been that of 1902 in
the anthracite industry which con-
tinued % weeks.
The big strikes-five in number
are summarized as follows:
1S94-First general strike in the
soft coal industry. called by the
United Mine Workers of America, tho
purpose being to restore wage scales
that had been decreased during the
panic of '93; 100000 to 10000 men
engaged and militia called out in four
states; first attempt at a comprO-
mise failed. but second conference OF
miners and operators ended with
adoption of a scale agreement.
1S97-July 4th walkout of 10000
miners, called by d. Nj. Ratchford
president of the l.. NJ. w. of A. to de-
plete an OverstOcked coal market
which union officials feared would re-
suit in wage reductions on account OF
the slow coal trade; strike was called
eff after II weeks duration, at the
end of which the market had been
depleted; first great successful strike
OF the L. NJ. w. of a.
1900-Anthracite strike in Septcm
Der and October, engaged $4,000 and
ended with miners getting 10 tc
16 percent increases in wages.
1902-Grcat anthracite strike, led by
the late John Mitchell, as president
of the L. NJ. W. of A., lasted % weeks
May to October; 100000 men en-
gagged, and finally called off when
President Roosevelt appointed com
mission that afterward gave the
miners a 10 percent wage advance
and made their contract for three
years, ending April /, 1906.
1919-Nation- wide soft coal strike
in November and December of 800, 0OO
miners called off by union in compli-
ance with a court injunction, OBJ
tanned by Attorney General Palmer
under the wartime Lever fuel control
law: commission later appointed by
President Wilson gave miners an in
crease of approximately % percent
in wages-their largest single in
crease.
Unlike the last great strike, the i'm
pending one begins with warm
weather approaching while the 1913
shutdown came with winter. Stocks
now are more ample than then, but
the present situation is much like the
Fourth of July walkout of 1897 Out
of the strikes, both large and small
the workers as a general proposition
have won many benefits in increased
wages and improved working condi-
tons. But victory has not always
been theirs. though the big strike
settlements have favored them. The
operator successes, however. include
wage reductions, denial of increased
wages. changed working conditions,
and the crushing of two unions-the
III Sl AdtlOIldl ORGANIZATION Oh miners,
founded in 1850, which persisted in
a series of strikes at the close of the
Civil War. and the Workmen's Be
nevolent Association. an organization
of anthracite workers. which was de-
moralized in 1875 after IL years ex-
istence.
The first coal strike in the United
States occurred in 1S49 in the Penn
sylvania anthracite field when a Brit
ish miner. named Bates. organized a
local union and sought to increase
wages and better working conditions.
His strike failed and Bates was forced
to leave the field and for eleven years
the workers made no further attempt
at organization.
Since Bates day. many leaders have
been developed among the workers
and strikes of various sorts for va
ried purposes have been carried on.
the early fight being largely conferred
to small areas, occasionally including
an entire state coal field.