The Seward gateway., 1922-04-20
FIVE COAL STRIKES
 HAVE OCCURRED
 ANNIVERSARIES  NATiON-WiDE WALkOUTS HAVE BEEN VERY FEW IN PAST- FIVE IN NUMBER

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. April 20.- Great coal strikes, such as was inau- gurated this month, have been few al- though for 75 years the coal industry has been marked by almost numberless statewide and localized strikes, often involving several thousands of work CTS.
 Most of the big strikes have contin- ued more than a month. the longest having been that of 1902 in the an- thracite district which continued Is weeks.
 The big strikes-five in number are summarized as follows:
 1894-First general strike in the soft coal industry, called by the Uni- ted Mine Workers of America, the pur- pose being to restore their wage scale that had been decreased during the panic of 1893; 1O0,00u 70 160,O00 men engaged and militia called out in four states; first attempt at compromise failed, but second conference of min- CTS and operators ended with adoption of scale agreement.
 1897-July 4th walkout of 150,000 miners, called by D. NJ. Ratchford president of the U. M w. of A. to de- plete an overstocked coal market un ion officials fearing the large supply on hand would result in wage reductions on account of the slack trade; strike was called off after 1-2 weeks at the end of which coal prices were boosted: the first great successful strike of the United Mine Workers.
 190O-Anthracite miners strike in| .September and October. engaged 132. 900 and ended with miners getting 1e to 16 per cent increases in wages.
 1902-Great anthracite strike led byj the late John Mitchell. as president of the United Mine Workers of America lasted 23 weeks, May to October; 140- 0oD men were engaged and finally call- ed of when President Roos ,-clt a. pointed commission that afterwar. gave the miners 10 per cent wage advance, and made their contract for tor three years, ending Ap.il ' 1916.
 1S.e -NaliGn-w wide soft coal strike in Nc; ember and December O. sS55.lO9 miners called off by union in aoll,i,il ance vith cour tinjunc.ion obtained under :ht wartime Lever tuei -fcbt: al bIil; c l4n.ission later apD, .,tfl ty Pes: lnn' Wilson gave min .s sn |. c,.a e oi 27 per cent in ',a..s --...!r Id gest single increase.
 tnlike tine last great s.rixe, tue one started April first begins with warm weather appriaching, while the 191s shutdown came with winte. Stocks] now are more ample than then. but the situation is much like the Fourth of| July walk-out of 1897. Out fo the strikes, both large and small, the workers as general proposition, have won many benefits in increased wages and improved working conditions. But victory has not always been theirs, though the big strike settlements have| favored them. The operator successes however, include wage reductions, de- nial of increased wages, chmanged working conditions, and the crushing of two unions-the first national or ganizations of miners. founded in 1860| which perished in series of strikes at the close of the Civil Wa-, and the Workmen's Benevolent Association, anI organization of anthra.sse workers de moralized in 1875 after 15 years ex- istence.
 The first coal strike In the United States occurred in 1849 when a Brit ish miner named Bates organized To- cal union and sought to increase wagesl 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 haveI been developed among the workers anal strikes of various sorts for various purposes have been carried on, the| early fight being largely centered toI small areas occasionally including anI entire state coal field.
 The train left on time this morning. and experienced no difficulty in get ting over the summit.
 The steamship Starr has reached Jnalaska.