The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-02-22

tween the conditions of American miners and
those of the Soviet Union.-Ed. Motel
AVERAGE monthly wages for the coal miners
a In the Soviet Union increased from 1925
roubles in 1913 to 7340 roubles in 1880 and 1855
in 1881. A rouble is about 81 cents in U. S.
dollars This big increase does not include So
cialized wages Gree medical aid, payment of
wages during illness or other disability, etc.
which average about 227 per cent of the nom
inal wages in all industries,
At the beginning Of 1881 the leading trade
union organizations resolved to raise the wages
of coal miners working below ground by an aver
age of 20 per cent Wages were further raised
by decree Of September 90 issued by the Su-
preme Economic Council Of the u. S. S r. and
the All-Union Council of Trade Unions, provid-
ing FOR an extended system OF piece work and
bonuses.
Ninety per cent of the underground miners In
the coal industry were to work on peice work
basis and SO per cent of all surface workers. For
the first 10 per cent produced above the norm,
the rate is 25 per cent higher, for the second
10, 40 per cent higher, and for any further in
crease 80 per cent higher
Bonuses of from 10 to % per cent of the wage
scale were granted to underground miners en-
gagged on particularly dusty and dirty work.
under high temperature. Under the new scale
the daily wage rates are from to roubles for
skilled underground miners, who comprise the
largest section. The total increase in the pay
roll of the Donetz Basin has been set at 80
per cent.
Enforced delays through no fault of the work
crs are paid at half-rates, and in case Of dis
charge on account of naturalization the worker
receives two to three months salary The en-
ployment of minors under Is is forbidden in
UOr fha
Youths over Is and women, who may be en-
'-'ed in some surface job receive the same
wages as men performing the same work An
other fact relating to young workers that may
be of interest, is that apprentice miners are
trained free Of charge and receive pay while
learning,
Wages for U. S. Miners
What are the parallel conditions in the United
States? Here Speed-up and wage cuts as a
direct result of the deepening crisis and the eff
forts of the coal companies to maintain profits
are becoming increasingly widespread. Tens of
~"ds of mine families have long had an
income too small to buy even the most meager
accessories
Wages Of coal miners in the United States
have gone steadily down since 1929 For all
miners and leaders combined average daily
earnings were pushed down by IL per cent be-
tween the first quarter Of 1929 and the first
quarter Of 1881, according to official figures Of
the U. S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics
Wage cuts plus the great decrease in mine
operation cut average total earnings by about
One-third.
Leaders in Pennsylvania mines average only
$40 to $12 week, it was found In a recent field
study by the Labor Research Association.
Nearly 100000, or one-third OF all the mine
workers in 1920 were under rs years of age
and nearly $4,000 of these young workers were
under 10. And 5000 boys at work in coal min
ing in 1920 we're less than Is years old.
No American coal state has written on its
statute books an 10 year age limit for under
ground workers Several states have lists of
dangerous occupations in which boys under IS