New Britain herald., 1925-09-29

Anthracite coal Is found in a small area in eastern Pennsylvania. The whole territory Is only about 4S0 square miles and the normal output is about so million tons, of which only 5l million tons is class ed as domestic size. There are 15S-, 900 employe, whereas bituminous coal is mined in some 30 states said to cover an area of about 500,00O square miles.
 Prom this area is produced 500 million tons and there are over 600,- 900 men engaged in htuminous coal mining. The anthracite mines are nnioni2ed 100 per cent. The hi- luminous mines are unionzed today on a tonnage basis of only about 30 per cent, that is 10 say 70 per cent of the bituminous coal mined is by union or open shop methods. The same labor orGa N"ntion. how ever, governs both anthracite and bi- luminous mines, that is, the United Mine Workers of America.
 "The president of this organiza- tion, MT. John l.. Lewis, Is an ef- ficient and able leader. He is n far sighted, Iong-r dominant man.
 Tt may be interesting to know that under the laws of the state of Pennsylvania he would not be al- lowed to work in the anthracite coal mines as miner. Notwithstanding the fact that he is an able leader there is no question in my mind but what this uncallcd for strike In the anthracite coal fields was instituted by him to benefit bituminous union mines, and it is also my opinion that the strike should be called a bl- luminous strike, rather than an an- thracite strike.
 "The first real successful strike conducted by the miners union in the anthracite coal fields was in 1902. The leader al that time was more of conservative than is the present leader. In 1902. the opera tors refused to arbitrate, but the leader of the union persisted and jn- sisted, and he finally carried his point with the help of the president of the United States. The men went back to work. A commission, appointed by President Roosevelt, after due investigations and hear ings on both sides, granted the men an increase in pay, and allowed changes in labor conditions that were retroactive to the time of their return to work. The leader of the union at that time won great vic tory. He established the principle of arbitration for settling disputes in the coal fields. Unfortunately for labor, this man died. He died too young, but his memory is revered | by the anthracite coal miners of Pennsylvania. There is a holiday in October each year in his memory. Il Scranton, Pa, there is a monu- mem 10 commemorate his life and what he did for labor. a monument such as does not exist elsewhere in the world US d memorial to labor | leader. It is my personal opinion he did more for the cause of labor unions In the country than any other man, with the possible exception of Samuel Gompcrs. refer to John | Mitchell.
 | 'trom that time until 1922 therc has been in existence in the coal fields ! of the anthracite district of Penn sylvania, a standing commission to settle all disputes that may arise. between the men and their employees, This commission was appointed with The idea that it would prevent strikes, but it has not always accom- plished this result.
 "The coal mines are shut down. There was conference held at At- lantic City between two committees, one representing the men and one representing the operators. TO an outsider, there were two decidedly peculiar things connected with that conference. First, Mr. Lewis, chair man of the employees committee, ob- iected 10 the committee that repre- ! sented the operators. He insisted that two men, who were not on the committee, be present at the confer ence. He stated that the committe members had no power. and did not represent the anthracite operators, or something 10 that effect. He in |
 Of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co., be on the committee simply be- cause he had been in past years. He