The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-10-22
CONTINUED from page u


orators were excused for their viola
tions of the sacred contract.
The bureaucracy of the United Mine
Workers of America are a privileged
class. They have fortified themselves
behind system of patronage and
have formed combination of officials
that is pledged to stand solidily united
against the encroachments of the
rank and file. It was this law of self
preservation that forced the two hated
enemies. harrington and Lewis to
bury the Ratchet so that they could
fight the progressives and save their
own position.
Shown In True Role
The great rebellion in the ranks of
the coal diggers of Illinois in the year
1919 reveals Frank Harrington in his
role of strikebreaker and capitalist
lieutenant. It was at this time that
he beat all his past records for treach-
cry to the workers and loyalty to their
enemies.
Before the war, four-fifths of the
bituminous mine workers earned less
than $500 a year according to a
report made by the immigration COM
mission. The commission modestly
set the standard of subsistence of a
family of five at 5000 year. Surely
not an extravagant figure.
When the war broke out i'll Europe
in 1914 the coal industry was at n
low ebb, but the war demand created
market for coal and production went
UP quickly.
Owners Made Millions
In 1916 the miners secured a slight
increase. But the increased cost of
living soon made the slight increase
look ridiculous. In April 1917, the
operators agreed to another slight in
crease. In the meantime the owners
were making millions on war orders.
The price of coal went up. The cost
of living went up. Everything went
up but the miners wages.
Woodrow Wilson, by executive
order created the fuel administration
and placed his friend DR.. Harry A.
Garfield in charge. DIR. Garfield was
good friend of the coal operators
and succeeded in tying the miners up
in new agreement, which was to
last not more than two years after
April /, 1918.
The following paragraphs in the
agreement are significant. If they
Il w Ixr
Warren S. Stone the scab union"
coal operator they could not be more
in favor Of the coal barons:
Whereas, stoppage of work in vio-
liation Of the agreement has become
so serious as to menace the success
and perpetuity of the United Mine
Workers Of America and our joint
relations, this conference instructs
the district executive boards to meet
operators in their various districts
for the purpose of agreeing on a pen.
atty clause where none now exists,
and II necessary meet to amend and
strengthen existing clauses so as to
make the penalty more effective in
preventing strikes and violations Of
agreements.
Bosses as Fine Collectors.
"All fines provided for in all agree
ments shall be automatically collect
ed and any operator failing to collect
and forward to proper parties such
fine shall pay penalty of $500 for
each employee subject to be fined,
the same to be collected and retained
in the miners district organization.
And in no case shall any fine be re-
funded except by mutual agreement
Of accredited representatives Of oper-
atoms and miners.
ut is further agreed that whore
any employee enters suits in the civil
courts TO recover any fine collected
in accordance herewith the dlutrict
organization shall reipburse the
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