The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-02-18
Bloody Conflict IN Mine
Union Clue TO Boss Control

ashortly after the change in the lega.
Staff mad been made.
1t is matter of public knowledge
that the coal operators are violating
the agreement with the union in g
hundred ways. 1t is likewise a mat
ter of public knowledge that prac-
tically no grievances are ever ad-
listed by the district machinery and
chat miners who make complaints
are Disseminated against by both
bosses and district officials.
The Contractor Evil.
The control of local unions by con-
tractors-miners who are petty
BOSSES and who hire other miners to
work for them-has become an open
scandal. Those contractors who sup
port the companies and the Cappelini
machine get the best locations and
The miners who make no protest at
the violation of the agreement get
The best jobs. This furnishes the
economic basis for the machine con-
troll.
There has been a developing senti-
ment among the rank and file and
progressives for the abolition of these
abuses and the struggle in Local
Union No. 6 is a direct outgrowth OF
this sentiment.
The Speed-up System.
The speed-up system has been in
stalled to such an extent that, to-
gether with the falling off of the de-
nand for anthracite, it is estimated
that from 40 to SO per cent of the
miners are unemployed. Demands
! have been made on the district Off
cialdom for a campaign against the
speed-up and the steady breaking
down of working conditions which are
obviously preliminary to a wage-cut,
but the officials have not acted.
The Lewis-Cappelini machine has
entered into joint program with the
coal operators and the chambers OF
commerce to boost the sale of an
thracite. In actual practice this form
of cooperation becomes an open at
tempt to lower the wages of the
miners-"re reducing labor COSTS" is
the term used.
Officials Aid Operators.
Repeal of the state tax on anthra-
cite tonnage is another demand that
is being made by the union official
dom jointly with the coal operators
The taxes Of the coal companies have
already been somewhat reduced ano
this cut in the income of cities anc
towns has forced the closing Of
schools and the hating of road paw.
ing, sewer maintenance and extern.
sion of other municipal activities
The reduction of taxes on the Goa
companies places a heavier burden
upon the workers who own small
homes.
Causes of Civil War.
The civil war in the union result,
from the attempt of the Lewis-Cap
pelini machine to carry out it's pro
gram of cooperation with the oper
ators in all it's phases and to I'D,
roughshod over the union member
ship.
For the deaths that have occurred
so far the union reactionaries mus
be held responsible, is the genera
feeling here among the miners.
Move for Organization.
The progressive miners are urging
the organization of q rank and fill,
opposition movement embracing tn,
three districts on program of state
relief for the unemployed, enforce
ment of the contract and s.ruggl,
against the speed-up system. Tha
a mass movement under progressive
leadership will be organized to com
bat the coal company influence i,
the union seems certain since tn,
recent killings have shown clearly
the desperate nature of the struggl,
and the need for organization.
U