coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

24 THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN.
The meeting of the Association of Bituminous
Coal Operators of Central Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
April 7 voted 39 to seven to close the
mines until a wage contract is made. The association
has a membership of Oo and under its
rule requiring a two-third majority on such a
proposition it was lost.
The larger operatois were in favor of closing
and called another meeting for April lo, at which
the producers of 85 per cent, of the tonnage of
the association voted to close. As a result most
of tlie Central Pennsylvania mines aie idle.
THE FIRST WAGE SCALE SIGNED.
The miners independent of the U. M. W. of A.
along the Lilly branch of the P. R. R. in Central
Pennsylvania, were the first to make a new wage
scale. These operators, except W. H. Piper & Co.,
have signed the agreement which, follows:
Agreement between .Miners' Progressive Checkweigh
Association, of Lilly and Vicinity and
the Coal Operators of the same:
Lilly, Pa.. March 28, 1914.
We, the scale committee, beg leave to submit
the following agreement to govern this district
lor two years dating from April 1, 1914, until
April 1, 1910:
Section 1 :
Pick mining per gross ton, seevnty-two cents.
Pick mining per net ton. sixty-four 29-100 cents.
Machine loading per gross ton, forty-two cents.
Machine loading per net ton, thirty-seven and
one-half cents.
Clay veins to be paid at Ihe rate of one dollar
a foot or by the clay.
Section 2:
Where the miner has two feet of rock top or
bottom or both combined, he shall be paid 50
cents per yard and for all rock, etc., over two
feet. 75 cents shall be paid. Drivers shall be
paid 33 cents per hour and track layers' wages
in proportion. All other outside and inside labor
to be paid same rate as in scale of year 1912.
Section 3:
That there be no* discrimination in the distribution
of mining cars, or in the replacing of
miners, out of employment by reason of their
place being worked out, and that no men from
other localities to be employed whilst residents
«.l this community arc out of employment and
seeking work.
Section 4:
That dues and assessments for the association
shall be deluded from all miners, and all mine
workers in ancl around the mines. Said dues to
be deducted through the company office and paid
over to the party or parties authorized by the
association to receive same.
Section 5:
It shall not be compulsory witli mineis or
mine workers to deal or trade with any company
stoie. or to be compelled to pay any doctor, or
buy mine supplies from the company employing
them. Ancl that eight hours shall constitute a
day's work for drivers and all other inside laborers.
M. P. KEARNEY,
JOHN SWEENEY - ,
W. L. MCGOUGH,
JOSEPH SANDY,
JOHN PIKUS,
Scale Committee.
CIRCULAR TO OHIO MINERS ANTICIPATES
SUB DISTRICT SETTLEMENTS IN THAT
STATE.
Following is a copy of an interesting circular
which the miners' International officers have sent
to the Ohio mineis:
OFFICIAL CIRCULAR.
Indianapolis, lnd., April 4. 1914.
To the Officers and Members of District No. 0.
United Mine Workers of America:
Brothers—The coal operators of Ohio have
placed themselves in an indefensible position.
The responsibility lor closing tbe mines of tbe
state rests entirely with them.
The policy committee of the United Mine Workers
of America, numbering one hundred or more,
advised the miners to continue work upon the
basis of the contract which expired .March 31.
until all local matters in the different districts and
sub-districts could be taken up and adjusted. Notwithstanding
this attitude of the United Mine
Workers' organization and the further fact that
the mine-run lay in Ohio does not go into effect
until May 20. the operators of Ohio refuse to permit
the niiners to work pending a settlement.
After calm reflection and proper understanding
of Ihe policy outlined by the general polity committee,
you wili appreciate that the operators nave
been placed at a disadvantage and that the public
will plaee the responsibility for idleness in Ohio
upon them. You in turn will be plated in a
much stronger position before the public. We
are watching the situation closely and we wish
to assure the mine workers of Ohio that all tbe
force and strength of the international organization
will be used to protect your interests. We
are with you and yvill give to you ancl your district
our fullest co-operation and most hearty support.
The weighing of coal before screened is something
tbe miners of Ohio have been contending
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