The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-12-26
COAL Miners
give reason
FOR STRIKE
Attack Boss-CappeIlini
Combination
espeeIaI 70 Tha DaIIy worssrl

WlLKESBARRE, Pa, Dec. 25.
The Anthracite miners Of Dis
trict No. 1, United Mine Work.
ers of America, have given a
singing reply to the combina-
ton of operators and union of
ficials that seeks to drive them
into unbearable conditions by
breaking the strike called by
the general grievance commit
tee.
In large posters headed why We
Are on Strike" the miners excoriate
their traitorous officials, particularly
Rinaldo Cappellini, district president.
"The strike was imposed upon US thru
the failure of the company officials
and officials of District No. 1 to heed
the crying need to have unbearabIe
conditions remedied," the miners say.
Lockout Eight Months Old.
Grievances presented to the district
officials of the union eight months
ago are still not adjusted. At the
Even colliery, for instance, there was
a lockout of 120 men eight months
ago. These men were even ordered
restored by w. W. Ingles, chairman Of
the Cancellation board last July in his
instruction to the company, but nei-
Their the company or the union off.
Gals have uoved. Such things are the
ground Of the grievance committees
strike order.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, when Rinaldo
Cappellini, the agent of John L.
Lewis reactionary machine and
president of District No. l, q. NJ. w.
Of A., appeared at a meeting Of the
grievance committee, he was asked:
Traitor cappeIlinl Says "None."
what assurances, Mr.. +Cappellini,
can you give us that our grievances
viii be adjusted without delay, pro-
viding we call off the strike and re
turn to work."
Monet was Cappellini's reply.
The miners are incensed all over
the district at the district officers
who have even ignored the appeal of
sAAA ~ OhS AoCdlo VI the y. W. W. VI
A. for special convention to discuss
who was right in the revelation OF
the charters of the striking locals.
The miners contend that they were
enforcing the agreement which pro-
vides for definite settlement of griev-
anees within limited times.
There are many grievances long
pending between the miners and six
collieries. At the Underwood colliery
there are five complaints registered
by the miners. These consist Of two
separate vein complaints of underpay.
ment on car scale, a complaint Of
poor powder which reduces output,
poor coal furnished the employees and
the lockout Of 81 men.
At the Even colliery noted above
100 men were laid OFF March 1, long
negotiation thru Cappellini with the
company has failed to have any re
suits. At this colliery also, there is
a violation by the company on wage
paid in the Marcy vein.
At the Central colliery two griev.
ances exist since April, one OF rock
measurement. another of forcing dead
work on agreement which was broken
after the miners struck the coal by
working thru 500 feet of bad work.
At No. colliery three complaints
exist Of discrimination by the com.
pany and bad powder which cuts the
wage return. At colliery No. .. an
agreement on loading bone was VIC
lated by the company not paying. In
addition there are complaints on
powder and the underpayment Of
shaft miners. At the Butler coIliery
three grievances pending in one in.
stance since May. regarding second
mining and a violation Of the agree
ment by the company on rates of pay
for new work.