Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-04-17

except temporarily during the period,
of the war. Increased demand and
higher prices have resulted in opening
new mines, charging others, and en-
ploying more miners. rather than IN
giving, more regular employment to
men in the mines already open.
Seasonal variations In demand,
according to the geological survey. ac-
count for At per cent of the lost days
in bituminous mining. In the period
coal in the month Of greatest output
exceeded production in the month Of
least output by 1l,000.0 900 to 16.00o,-
000tons or mor and was ave less
than $500, 900 tons. Seasonal fluctu-
auons result in keeping more men and
more capital in the industry to be
equipped for the annual peak of de-
mand than would be needed IL work
were more evenly distributed through
employed tends in turn to make m
ployment irregular and uncertain.
Nevertheless, sven the elimination of
seasonal variations would not make
employment regular so long as too
many mines are operated.
Varied Earnings.
ITO offset periods Of idleness and
lack of earnings, the bituminous min
ers are forced to seek higher rates of
give the miner a living wage through
out the year when he has the opportu-
nifty to earn wages 50 few days in the
year. In 1920, the United Mine Work
ers reported to the bituminous coal
commission that in the year of great
est regularity of employment, 1918,
the average annual earnings of their
members in the central competitive
field varied from 1864 in Ohio to
a maximum Of $1,bS3 in western
Pennsylvania. Had they been able to
work 304 days a year, their earnings
with those rates might have reached
a maximum Of $3.50. Data derived
from the United States census indicate
that in 1919 the average annual earn
ings of miners in the anne area varied
from $1,062 in Indiana to a maxi
mum of $1,31S in Pennsylvania. The
general average increase of ~ per
cent, granted by the bituminous coal
commission in 1920, would have in
ment been no more irregular than in
the past. Even in the comparatively
prosperous year of 1920, however, the
days Of operation of the mines were
8 per cont less than in 1918. while in
1921 the opportunity for employment
decreased % per cent as compared
with 1920, and 80 per cent az COM
pared with 1913. Thus; irregular en-
ployment has nullified the advantage
of increased rates of pay.
Estimates Of the cost OF living
prepared by Professor W. F, osburn
of Columbia University, to be pre-
scented by the United Mine Workers to
tho bituminous coal commission,
showed that in January, 1920, $500
was required for a budget to provide
a minimum of subsistence for a fam
lily OF five. To provide a minimum Of
comfort for families living in mining
communities required, according to
Professor Ogburp's estimate, an annu-
creased. somewhat since these esti-
mates, but evening the prosperous
year of 1915 the miners average an
earnings were not equal to the
estimated minimum of subsistence
except for a comparatively small
group Of machine miners employed
every day that the mines were open.
Families Suffer.
Facts about miners earnings and
the suffering which unemployment
: causes in their families can be under
o"AJ - No4AA1kAOAl0 VI III All u
mining camp r known. In many
mining communities the mine is the
only place Of employment. To find
another job in dull periods means
moving to another town. Moreover, a
miners family lacks the economic
safeguards of life in a community
with several varied industries in which
other members of the family tnclud-
ing wives and daughters, find work.
For many coal miners this resource is
lacking. The a industry necessarily
becomes responsible for insuring suffi-
Gent income to the men in the mines
to maintain their families throughout
the year..
"Over-development Of the industry
and lack of opportunity for the min
ers to earn wages regularly in the
bltuminous coal industry render pre-
carlous and difficult the lives OF more
than half q million miners and their
wives and children. The adjustment
OF wage rates every two years is sure
to produce conflict and bitterness un-
til the equally important question OF
stability for the industry receives ef.
1ectlve attention from operators and
PUBIC. Greater security in employ.
ment must be made the foundation
Tor better human relations in his in.
dustry.
Inc miners in the soft coal indus.
try might we'll ask for a guaranteed
minimum of employment as the basic
need, taking precedence over wage
adjustments this year. The necessit,
Tor regarding a reasonable minimum
OF employment as a fixed charge upor
the industry would probably max.
operators more reluctant to open new
mines or to enlarge unduly those al.
ready open. To make employment,
regular is important not only for tn,
standard Of living of the miners fam
lilies but for the economic conduct a,
industry Capital. as we'll az men
Is wastefully used when money an,
energy are invested on a scale to pro,
duce much more coal than is required
The public, the operator and investo,
and h coal miner, have a common
interest in making bituminous mimi,
efficient and economical" :
KRYLENKO SMALL
in STATURE BUT
BIG In POPULARITY
Moscow-Nicolai v. Krylenkt
Soviet Russia's attorney general.
probably the smallest ION in statur
n one of the big1est in nonrIo.it