The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1922-04-15
COAL STRIKE FACTS

While a nationwide coal strike is
we'll under way, and while press
agents for the coal operators have
their way of putting their ease to the
public, it might he we'll for those OF
US who arc not directly involved to
get certain essential facts straight
Cd The bituminous coal mine
owners have refused to meet the
representatives Of the workers, al
though they signed an agreement to
do so. The government was party
to that agreement-in fact, was res
ponsible for it-but instead of insist
ing Oh it's observance the administra-
ton, through Attorney General
Daughertv, is giving out statements
calculated TO convince the public that
the coal miners are lawless set who
will destroy life and property unless
restrained by the strong arm of Fed
eral authority.
(2) The miners are fighting for a
living wage. Congressman Bland Of
Indiana inserted in the COMPRESSION
al Record a statement showing the
average earnings Of miners in the
principal coal fields. In the Pitts
burgh field these workers received
an average of 1852 in 1921. In Ohio,
$3.50, and in West Virginia, $500.
How can men live and rear families
on such bcggarly incomes?
(3N This appalling situation is not
due to the impoverished condition Of
the industry. While coal miners were
probably never more miserable the
records show that coal mine owners
were never more prosperous.
Many Of the largest coal mining
companies are proceeding on the theo-
rv that the less coal they produce the
more money they will make.
The Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Co. is
a fair example. 1t reduced produc'
ton 80 Fer cent between 1912 AMI
1920, but it increased it's surplus 900
per cent and paid dividends totaling
%05 per cent. Scores Of other big
companies are pursuing the same pol
icy. as the official records show.
az The miners in demanding a
five day week and a sixhour day are
insisting that they be permitted to do
more work, not less. Miners are paid
by the ton. They can not earn enough
to support their families unless they
are permitted to work at least thirty
hours in the week. Newspapers and
magazines, under the control of the
mine owners, have cruelty distorted
this entirely reasonable demand. They
have told the people that the miners
were receiving such extravagant com.
pensation that they could earn all the
money they wanted by working six
hours a day for five days in the week
This fake did much to ALLEVIATE pub
lie sentiment from the men during
the last coal strike.
~ The coal miners are fighting
the public's battle as we'll as their
own. The operators want to restrict
production and increase prices. The
miners want to decrease prices by in
creasing production.
If the people could only be made to
grasp that one fundamental truth the
triumph of the miners would be as
sured.
(6) The coal mine owners are pre-
pairing to use the strike as an excuse
for further profiteering. That ex
plains why the mine owners, and
those public officials who are friend
ly to the mine owners, view the strike
with Indifference. Suspension of work
will make market for surplus stocks
at high prices. The dear, gullib!t
public will pay the bill.
The miners are making brave
struggle in the face of fearful odds
They are entitled to the whole heart
ed support of all decent, right think
ing Americans.