coal trade bulletin - Clpdigital.org

CIRCULAR TO OHIO MINERS.
ACONTINUED FROM PAGE 24)
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 55
for for many years. You have secured it. by
At a meeting of the district executive board
legislation. Tbe important question now is the
held in Shamokin, Pa., recently District President
fixing of a mine-run price for both pick and ma­
James Matthews announced the division of the
chine niining. The operators of Ohio need not
District 9, United Mine Workers of America, into
deceive themselves, they will not lie permitted
four sub-districts as follows: Sub-district No. 1.
to gain any advantage by closing down their
charge of District Committeemen, George Ritman,
mines. You have not only a mine-run prii e to
with headquarters al Siljver Creek. District
fix and agree upon, but in addition many loi al in­
Xo. 2. in charge of Stiney Geguzis, with headequalities
both as regards prices and conditions
quarters at Mabanoy City. District No. 3, Mich­
of employment, whieli must be adjusted.
ael J. McGrath, with headquarters at Lost Creek.
If a satisfactory settlement of these questions
District Xo. 4, in charge of John Hollister, with
is not reached yvhen you meet in joint conference
headquarters at Shamokin.
with the operatois you have a right to go on strike.
If the policy submitted to you by the policy com­ Upon petition of C. P. Byrne, mine inspector of
mittee for a referendum vote is aiiproved on the Twenty-first bituminous district, the Wash­
April 14, joint conferences yvill no doubt be held ington county, Pa., court lias appointed an exam­
immediately tliereafter yvith the ccal operators ining board consisting of Cliarles P. Byrne, mine
in the different sub-districts of Ohio and a scale inspector, Charleroi; Michael Dooley, a miner,
of wages agreed upon.
Dttnlevy, of 10 years' experience and Harry Drum,
We ask you to lie calm, cool and self-possessed. a superintendent, California.
Do not indulge in intemperate language and abuse.
The Bache-Denman Coal Co., of Fort Smith, Ark.,
By so doing you injure no one as much as your­
whieli operates seven mines in Arkansas and Oklaselves,
and it pleases no one as mm ii as your
homa, recently announced that in tlie future it
enemies. The adoption by local unions ol hasty
would recognize the open-shop principle ancl re­
and ill-advised condemnation resolutions does not
fuse to employ union men exclusively, as il had
settle anything. But instead, such action encour­
done in the past.
ages your opponents and strengthens your enemies.
It injures your cause and serves to deiay The question of raising of the basis of repre­
final action.
sentation in the international convention of tbe
We know there are many operators in Ohio who United Mine Workers, referred to the member­
are willing (o meet your representatives and ship tor a referendum vote was defeated by a ma­
agree upon a scale. In the very* near future no jority of 1,547'L, votes.
doubt a settlement yvill be brought about in a
All tbe coal mine's in Yorkshire, England.
number of sub-districts. Where tlie oiierators
numbering 17,000, bad ".eft the pits April 2. when
refuse to settle, a strike yvill no doubt take place,
the last of the notices to quit work expired. The
until an agreement is reached. While this is
men demand the introduction of a minimum wage
being done, we advise that you be patient, loyal
scale.
union men.
Let us work together, co-operating with each The operators and miners of the Kanawha field
other in protecting and preserving your interests. of West Virginia, or District Xo. 17. U. M. W.,
Regardless of any statements to the contrary, we will meet this date to go into joint conference
assure you we are with you and yvill endorse ancl over the question of a neyv wage scale.
suport to the extent of our ability any strike in
yvhich you may become involved, if sut h action is The annual examination for mine foremen and
deemed wise and necessary.
Fraternally yours,
JOHN P. WHITE. President.
fire boss certificates in the Ninth Bituminous district
of Pennsylvania, will be held at Connellsville,
Pa.. May 5. 6, 7 and 8.
FRANK J. HATES, Vice-President.
WM. GHEEN, Secretary-Treasurer.
The T. J. Phillips Coal Co., a new corporation,
has taken over the property of the Crystal Block
Ccal Co., consisting of a mine and upwards of
2,000 acres of land at Louisa, Ky., on the Chesapeake
& Ohio's Big Sandy line.
LABOR NOTES
The referendum vote of the Illinois Mine Workers
has sanctioned the loan of $150,000 by *be
Illinois miners to the International organization.
Tlie Westmoreland Coal Co. at its annual meeting,
re-elected the three retiring directors, Messia.
T. Wistar Brown. S. Pemberton Hutchinson, and
Louis R. Page.