1900 - Coalmininghistorypa.org

xliv ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc.
for review in the reports of the Bureau, was so extensive and had
that it is deemed proper to note some of its features here.
such a marked effect upon all branches of industry in this State,
The precipitation
of the tie-up, its effects and progress exceeded the expectations
of operators, and strike leaders, as well as those who
have made a study of such movements in the past. Preceding strikes
gave the operators a theory for reasoning that the movement could
not be made general in the Anthracite fields, while the strike
leaders themselves knew they were attacking a precedent which
made such projects ineffective in the past. While it is true that the
tie-up was not absolutely complete, it
was so effective that the few
collieries which continued at work could have had no material effect
upon the prostrated market, and this promptly showed the effects
of a genuine famine, which was so complete that in no other instance
of the checkered history of the Anthracite coal trade had the
inconvenience of a hard coal famine been more pronouncedly felt.
The strike movement began on August 13th when the first convention
of the United Mine Workers of America opened in the city of
Hazleton. At the meeting the grievances of the workmen were formulated
and a demand for a joint session of Union officials and
operators to be held on August 27th was issued. Epitomized, these
grievances were given: First, an unjust dockage system; Second,
unjust topping on cars; Third and fourth, non-uniform wage scale;
Fifth, dockage of breaker hands while waiting for coal; Sixth, that
miners' wages were cut or lowered unjustly by the operators; Seventh,
that operators were ignoring the legal ton pounds; Eighth,
semi-monthly pay according to law; Ninth, unjust favoritism; Tenth,
reduction in the price of powder from $2.75 to $1.50 per keg; Eleventh,
the abolition of company stores; Twelfth, the abolition of company
doctors.
On August 27th the Union delegates re-assembled in Hazleton,
but no recognition of the call was vouchsafed by the operators, and
on the 28th the delegates expressed their determination to strike in
ten days from that date, at the same time referring the matter to the
National Executive Board for approval. The National Executive
Board in session in Indianapolis approved the strike declaration on
September 17th, when the order to quit work was issued, and on
October 25th the strike was declared off by President Mitchell, and
work was resumed on the 29th after an idleness of seven weeks.
During that time the only recognition shown the Union by the operators
was at a meeting held on September 4th in New York, from
which a statement was issued on the 5th through the press. This
statement was a practical recognition of the demands of the Union,
since it discussed the question at issue. The return to work was on