Evening star., 1925-09-01
HARD COAL STRIKE
7TH ON RECORD
United Miners Organize First
WaIkout for Anthracite
Region in 1900.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associa ated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, September L.
The Suspension in anthracite coal
mining which went into effect at mid
night this morning is the seventh in
the last 25 years.
The United Mine Workers Of
America obtained their first footiold
IN the anthracite coal fields OF Penn
Sylvania after a so-called wildcat"
strike IN 1897, due to d series of
grievances, resulting in shutdowns at
collieries south OF Hazleton and grad
ually extending over the entire dis
trict. The strike virtually terminated
with the I.sttlmer shooting, where 2S
marching miners were killed ana sew
eral score wounded In = clash vita
sheriff 5 deputies September 10 outside
Of the Village OF LattiInec. \ call Tor
troops brought the 3rd Brigade OK the
National Guard to the scene and the
strikers, then unorganized, went back.
In the meantime organizers o. the
United Mine Workers had beer sent
INTO the territory, with the result that
the entire coal region was ANAL
Samated so strongly that q demand
was made on the operators III 1890 for
joint conference to consider wages
and grievances. Refusal OF the oper-
ators To enter into Wy Joint nego-
Summary of Strikes ANA Results.
\ summary OF the strikes and sus-
pensions from that time OF is:
September II, 1890. e,-ding October
20 OF the same year vita Il 10 per
cent increase in wages and abolition
Of numerous grievances. John Mitch
ell OF Illinois was international presi-
dent
May 10, 1902. ending October 2S OF
same year, appointment OF the anthra-
cite strike commission by President
Roosevelt. Its award gave the miners
a 10 per cent advance, recognition OF
the union and other concessions and
established an agreement that has
been the basis, TO a great extent,
Of all subsequent contracts. The
commission created the board OF con-
citation, composed OF three operators
aud three representative OF the men.
"hich has been fuuctioning ever
since. adjusting all complaints. The
agreement, dated April l. 1908, and
retroactive TO November l, 1909, was
for three years. The strike was the
most bitterly fought since the advent
of the mine workers TO the field.
John Mitchell was president Of the
miners.
Walkout Called Suspension"
April J. 1905. ending May Of
~ me year. John Mitchell, president
This was referred to as suspension"
which vas called because no new
agreement had been reached The
award OF the strike commission of
1908 'SaS continued for three years.
In 1909, no suspension took place
and the Awards Of the strike COM
mission. under an agreement signed
April 29. were continued for three
years. with some minor changes. Tom
l.. Lewis OF Ohio vas international
president.
April /. 1912, ending May >. John
?. White Of Iowa, president. The
short period Of idleness was referred
20 as u Suspension" The miners. IN
their agreement. which was for term
Of four years, were given an average
increase OF = per cent and abolition:
OF the sliding scale o? paying wages.
Y htch had been ehecti-e since the
award ot-the strike commission.
No suspension took place In 1916,
The miners continuing work pending a
new agreement, which was signed
May 10 continue four years. John
p. White was president. The men were
given the eight-hour day Contract
miners got from 3 to per cent wage
increases. This was during the time
OF the World War, and supplemental
agreements readjusting wages we're
signed April 25, 1917; November II,
1917; March 10, 1918, and September
28, 1919.
In 1920 the men continued ats work
while. negotiations progressed on a
new contract. The committees OF the
miners and operators we're unable to
come 70 terms. and they accepted an
offer for the appointment of COM
mission by President Wilson The
findings of the commission gave the
miners a II per cent increase In wages
and established the minimum rate of
S4.20 for outside and inside labor. The
agreement was signed with the oper-
ators September .. 1920. and was fol- !
lowed by vacation strikes" IN protest
OF the men against the award. which
they claimed was inadequate. The
vacation" strikes soon died out.
April J, 1922, ending September Il, |
suspension" John L. Lewis, presi- !
dent. The men went back under the
old agreement. but at the suggestion
Of the operators the contract was
changed from April to end August
81 OF the following year.
September II. 1928, Suspension"
ending September 19. John L. Lewis,
president. Following failure to reach
terms with the operators, Gov. Pinchot
interviewed and was instrumental in
bringing about an adjustment under
which the men received q 10 per cent
wage advance. Agreement extended
10 August 81 Of this year.