The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-03-29
The Great Coal Strike

Hreat coal strikes, such as the coun-
try is now facing, have been few al.
though for rs years the coal industry
had been marked by almost number.
less statewide and localized strikes
often involving several thousands OF
workers. All Of the big strikes have
continued more than month, the
longest having been that of 1902 in
the anthracite industry which contin.
ued % weeks.
The big strikes-fve in number
are summarized as follows:
l994--First general strike in the
soft coal industry, called by the SUnit-
ca Mine Workers of America, the pur-
pose being to restore wage scales that
had been decreased during the panic
OF '93; 100000 to 160, 900 men engaged
and militia called out in four states
hrst attempt at compromise failed
nut second conference of miners and
operators ended with adoption of a
scale agreement.
lS97-July 4th walkout of 10000
miners, called by d. M. Ratchford
president of the U. M. 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
Off after II weeks duration, at the
end OF which the market had been de-
pleted; first great successful strike of
the U. NJ. w. of A.
l900-Anthracite strike in Septem-
Der and October, engaged 1872, 900 and
ended with miners getting 10 to 16
per cent increases in wages.
l9O2-Great anthracite strike, led
ty the late John Mitchell, as presi-
dent of the U. NJ. w. of A., lasted %
weeks, May to October; 100000 men
engaged, and finally called off when
president Roosevelt appointed a COM
mission that afterward gave the min
ers 10 per cent wage advance, and
made their contract for three years.
ending April l, 1906.
1919-Nation-wide soft coal strike
in November and December of 395 900
miners called off by union in compli-
ance with court injunction, obtained
by Attorney General Palmer under the
wartime Lever fuel control law; COM
mission later appointed by President
wilson gave miners an increase of
approximately 27 per ment in wages
their largest single increase.
Unlike the last great strike, the i'm
pending one begins with warm wealth
er approaching while the 1919 shut
down 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-
tions. But victory has not always
been theirs, though the big strike set
Elements have favored them. The op-
orators successes, however, include
wage reductions, denial of increased
wages, changed working conditions,
and the crushing Of two unions-the
first national organization of miners,
founded in 1860, which perished in
series of strikes of strikes at the close
of the civil war, and the Workmen's
Benevolent Association, an organiza-
tion of anthracite workers, which was
Lemoralized in 1875 after Is years. ex-
istence.
The first coal strike in the United
States occurred in 1849 inthe Penn.
sSylvania 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 II years the
workers made no further attempt at
organization.
Since Bates day, many leaders have
been developed among the workers
and strikers of various sorts for va
ried purposes have been carried on,
the early fight being largely centered
to small areas, occasionally including
an entire state coal field.