New Ulm review., 1922-05-03
The Coal Strike.

to make careful survey of the propo-
sition and decide upon whom rests
the responsibility for the acute condi-
tions which are certain to arise if the
strike continues for any length Of time.
1t is true enough that there is consider
able coal on hand and that in a very
short time none will be needed to keep
the people from suffering. Still there
is not enough on hand to keep the in
dustrles OF the country going for any
appreciable time if the strike is to be
100 per cent effective, as it, from pres
ent indications, appears to be. It is
claimed that 100000 miners walked
out last Friday night and that all ex-
cept 1900 mines are idle. If the plans
of the miners materialize, then they
will remain idle untilsa satisfactory ad-
justment of the differences now exist
ing is arrived at. It is to be noted and
to be borne in mind that the operators
of the mines refued to submit the diff
1erenceS to arDltrat1On.
In an editorial recently published
in the Review taken from the Buffalo
Express, our readers may have gotten
the impression that the miners were
making unjust wage demands and do
ing everything in their power to mulct
the innocent consumer. The editorial
was published merely for the purpose
of bringing to the attention of our read
ers the views maintained by some anent
the coal question. It is always our
intention to be eminently fair, and for
that purpose we are publishing this
week facts and figures about the wages
OF coal miners which are claimed to be
accurate.
In 1911 the average income of the
miner, whether he worked by the ton
or by the day, was about $500 year.
The 1912 agreement raised the daily
wage a little over 5 per cent.
This agreement was substantial
ly renewed in 1914 and lasted
until April, 1916. During the World
War (1914-1918) the wages of the
American miner advanced a little
over SO per cent, but. they left this
annual income practically unaffected;
relatively he was getting poorer every
day, for the cost of living during the
same period advanced IS per cent.
Various conferences have been held
since that time, the result Of which was
that although changes were made,
the fact remains that the wages of the
miners in the Illinois fields remained
at about $1,000 per year. This, is
about one-half that an average family
should earn to live comfortably and
decently, according to government
experts.
1t should also be borne in mind that
the miners is most dangerous occu-
patton. Annually $500 miners are
killed and 10000 injured. His lob
requires a reckless courage and the
work he does is in the very earth where
a weird darkness prevails amid quiet
and monotony. Not only that but
his job is uncertain. During the last
thirty years the American miner
averaged only 215 working days dur
ing year.
When miners and operators were
deadlocked over the wage question in
October, 1919, and a strike was called
October Is, to become effective No
vember 1, all the forces of government
were invoked by President Wilson a.
gainst this unlawful" and "illegal''
attempt of the workers to meet at
least two-thirds of the minimum stan.
dard Of living. Through injunctions
and military threats the President
forced the cancellation of the strike
When the operators were asked to meet
the miners in conference in the early
part of March this year to consider
the wage scale which was to expire
March 81, 1922 the operators refused
to meet the miners on the puerile
ground that they would be subject to
Indictment if they did and on the fur.
ther ground that the war wage scale
and the thirty hour week could moi
form the basis of a possible agreement
The present administration takes
the position that the government
should not interfere and that the
miners and operators should fight out
their differences. 1t seems to make nj
difference to the Harding administra.
tion that another 100000 are added te
this country's army Of unemployed anc
that if the strike continues for any
length of time, that industries will be
forced to close their doors, and count.
less more thousands will be thrown
into the ranks of the unemployed
thus adding to the misery Of the en-.
tire population Of this country.
To say the least conditions in the
coal fields are deplorable. It should
not be permitted that mine owners i'm
port thugs and plug uglies into the
mining fields to shoot down miners