The labor argus. [volume], September 12, 1907, Image 1

About The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915

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Vol. 2. No. 16. - CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA, SEP. 12, 1907. $1.00 a Year in Advance
A GREAT MI
MA<
Held at Tomsbujrg Last 1
Addressed by Off
Miners and
owing to tlie many complaints
{ uiniml,' i" the District office in re,r;inl
in ihe Paint Creek Colliery
rompany posting up trespass
notii-MS ami having their constable
liiai.ing numerous arrests, and the
claiming that a number of miners"
weir leaving the Paint Creek Collien
i onipany's mines and going
urn: . i.v present. in compliance
with this inpiest the mooting was
called toe Wednesday evening,
S< ]>1 1111 >< l- lltli. it was presided
over h\ <1. W. J levant, president
of the Nuckolls Local Union. District
1'res dent Oraigo being tlie
lir.-t speaker introduced, made a
brief talk and well to the point.
Mr. 4'rnigo pointed out the benelit
of the organization to the companies
as weli as the men, and
strongly insisted that the mine
winkers carry out the contract
entered into with the companies
and employees in letter and in
spirit.
After Mr. Craigo's interesting
remaiks, I listrict Secretary Morris
?;i - introduced, who claimed to be
as much responsible as any one
else for the arranging of the meeting.
lie expressed himself as being
vein, much pleased with the
luiinher of miners that were in at- j
tendance.
Mr. Morris after explaining the
object of the meeting, called the
nii,..1- el...- ' - '
I v>? tin: men lO Lite C2U11*
liitm- Hint prevailed prior to the
" in;;; inn of the "United Mine
iVcu i.ers Organization in the* Kan
nvlm \ alley, and siiowing that
mi \ a few years ago that it
Ails a struggle for existence for a
ni.i''lily of the miners working in
.lime mines and claiming
Inii iluring that period that
tin operators' conditions were
ktmlU as bad, and that the imbroveil
conditions both of the
laiui- and the operators at the
bie-ent time was solely due to the
llini- Workers Organization. Mr.
|1 :i- also called the attentien of
' in kers to the great shortage*
i1 ! ' ii throughout the non-union
I i.oiis of the state, claiming that
I' Kanawha operators who are
I'l..iog under contract with the ,
jgnui/alioii, had about all the j
n il that were necessary to operJ'
iheir mines with the exception j
w one 01 two instances.
I In speakilur of Gowranv Dow
Ii -;i 11 iisu meeting on the lULh ;
his month, of the coal operators [
1 the men who are interested in
1 coal industry of the state, for!
purpose of devising ways and
ins of bringing a better eiass ot ,
1 > is into the state, he said in '
n . while the Governor was sin- [
re in his efforts to better the con
i "U of the state, and while the
Workers Union would do
t< -thing that was possible to
hiish all the men necessary in
k Kanawha Valley, it would on j
k "t her hand do all in its power to
t ut the importation of miners
New River, Cabin Creek and
per sections, unless the coal com- j
l ies withdrew their opposition
the Mine Workers Union. Mr. i
Bi ris closed his remarks by say- j
he was very proud to have the1
vials of the company in the
ing. and assured the men that:
Paint Creek Colliery company |
Rione of the fairest companies.
Ht the United Mine Workers had
leal with in West Virginia. !
i i-cwhi'ic, the District Ofiiccrs 011
last Saturday took the matter up
with Mr. M. T. Poach, President
the Kanawha Fuel Company,
ami (ii'iieral Supervisor of the
Il'aint <'reek Colliery Company;
ami alter the situation was thoroughly
explained, Mr. Roach
agreed to have the notices torn
down and gave assurance that the
miner- working at the mines he
rc|.re> rated would have the right
to enjoy the same rights and
]ni\:!eg-'s that the men in any
oilier part of this country arc enjot
ing. and suggested that a meeting
U- arranged of all the miners
nn the tipper end of Paint Creek
hv the District ollicers, when he
NERS'
SS MEETING
Wednesday Which Was
icals of Both the
Operators.
After Mr. Morris' remarks,
National Organizer b. F. Lanham
inado a very brief but interestinir
talk. Following liim Mr. M. T.
Roach, President Kanawha and
Kew River Fuel Company and
General Supervisor of the Paint
Creek Colliery Company was
introduced and made quite
a lengthy speech and was applauded
quite often.
Mr. Roach, opened his speech
by saying it was his first opportunity
of addressing a meeting of
United Mine Workers. He then
assured the men that there had
been somewhat of a change made
in the notices without his knowledge
and that they had all been
taken down. Mr. Roach then
claimed as it had always been customary
for him to work organized
men and that lie had formed a
union himself at one time, that he
was strictly in sympathy and one
of organized labor's best friends;
and that if the United Mine Work
ers in me ivanawiia valley continued
to give seryice to their employers
they were :it the present
time, while there was room for
much improvement, that the or
gunizalion was here to stay and
that in time the coal operators of
the entire state would join hands
and welcome the United Mine
Workers: and that if the state was
not organized that the mine workers
of Paint C'rcek and of the Kanawha
Valley would be responsible
through their failure to carry out
the provisions of the Joint Agreement,
and to render service to the
coal companies.
Mr. Koaeh claimed that the
reason the Organization had been
fought by so many coal operators
was because they feared getting into
difficulties with the men that
they would be unable to settle,
while Claiming himself that he did
not fear the United Mine Workeis
any more than lie did an innocent
cniut, lor me reason una no iiau a
practical knowledge of the workings
of organized labor, and never
expected the time to come when he
was notable to dc.il with his men
and adjust all matters. He spoke
ill very high terms of 1 'resident
Mitchell and claimed he stood at
the head of his class and that there
was nothing that troubled t'resl
dent Mitchell more than the unorganized
condition of West
Virginia. '
Mr. lioacli while claiming the
miners were partners with him
in business, said also that he expected
when he signed tip a contract
with the men for a nine hour
day?that they give him the full
nine hours work. He strongly insisted
that the men give him the
full nine hours on pay dav and
the day following, and claimed
that the officers of the TT>iited
Mine Workers had made a bitter
struggle to incorporate the semimonthly
pay day into the Joint
Agreement which the men in the
Kanawha Valley are enjoying, and
it should not be abused by the
men laying off, losing time through
drinking and gambling and wasting
their money, when they should
be depositing it some bank for safe
keeping. .Mr. i loach closed by
strongly insisting that the men
work regular and increase the tonnage
of the mines and claimed
that the miners eoukl do more to
perfect their organization than by
becoming efficient workmen, so
that when a company like the one
he represented made contracts for
millions of tons of coal, that they
would know the coal would be
forthcoming.
After quite an ovation Mr.
Roach and the officers of the organization
were accorded a vote of
thanks. The few miners present
from Morton, "Wacomali .and
Mncklow strongly insisted that a
meeting of that character be arranged
on the lower end of the
Creek, when Mr. Roach could be
present.
The Paint Creek Colliery Mines
for the month of August loaded
! sixty-five thousand tons of coal?
i this In-ing a much larger tonimge
; according to the allotment, than
j was loaded by any other company
in Xcw Kivor or Kanawha.
Scabs arc Costly.
The scabs hi vest by the politieans
in control of the city of Now York
to break the strike of the street
cleaners cost the municipality ?24,
054.SO. Bill McClellan's underlings
brought 10:5 setibs from Philadelphia,
the cost of trunsportat'on
'being $1,776. These are the
"workingman's" that we hear so
much about.
A10NG THE U.
M. W. OF A.
I Local News of the Organized
Coal Fields in a Condensed
Form.
rroident John Mitchell's visit
to our city last week in tlio interest
of the Miners Union, resulted in
much good. He hold conferences
with the District officers, the field
workers and Senator Littlopugo,
the minors attorney, lie also held
a lengthy conference with the
Governor and a number of prominent
coal operators residing in this
city, and on his departure expressed
himself as feeling very
highly elated over the progress be
ing made, ami the conditions of
t ho Organization at tliis time in 1 his
field. i\Ir. Mitchell will visit Ihis
section again on the ISlli day of
this month, when it is expected
that lie will spend eight or ten
days hero in the interest of the
United Mine Workers.
President John Mitchell and a
number the local miners' officials
enjoyed the hospitality of Senator
Adam If. Uttlepagc at his palatial
residence at Kanawha Two-Mile
011 last Friday evening and participated
in a fox chase. The chase
lasted over two hours and Mr.
Mitchell and his associates were
greatly pleased and thoroughly enjoyed
the sport and voted the Senator
the prince of hosts.
* * *
District President Oraigo and
Sub-District President Cairns were
called to Oleott on Urair Creek
on the first of this week. Held
meeting with the men and adjusted
differences between the Miners and
the Coal Company satisfactory to
all parties concerned.
* * *
The Tabor Argus should reach
the home of every miner in the
Kanawha Valley and will be sent
from now until January first foi
2f> cents. Help us increase the
si/.e of the paper by subscribing
and assisting in getting your neighbors
to subscribe also.
* * *
Secretary George Hyau of Local
Union No. 537,' located at Jv.ist
Hank, reports thai the membership
of his local is increasing rapidly
ami has bright prospects for future
success. He also sent us a nice list
of new subscribers for the Argus.
:i: :f:
The Local Union at Longaere
through its hustling President
James Russell sent in the largest
number of subscribers to the Argus
during the month of August, adding
41 new names to their already
large listxxx
Local "Union No. 2013, of Rondo
I is still growing and the members
are working energetically to got
all the men at that place to join
the union and are meeting with
success.
# * *
The organization on Briar Creek
I is growing rapidly there now being
| good locals at Dungriff, OJeott, and
f Knickerbocker, all of which are
I gaining in membership steadily.
* 5!:
We have a special offer to make
j to the Secretary of every loc il un
ion to act as agent for the Labor
j Argus. Write for particulars at
once.
xxx
A very enthnsiartic meeting was
held last night at Tomsburg on
Paint Creek, including the Miners
of Green Castle, Tomsburg and
Nuckolls. The meeting was attended
by District President
i Craigo, Secretary Morris and
Organizer Ij. F. bnnlmm. M. T.
ilioacli, General Supervisor, General
Manager liogei-s and Secretary
and Treasurer Walters of tin- l'aint
; (. reek Colliery Company were also
I present. There were Ix.'tween three
land four hundred attended (lie
meeting. Full particulars of this
meeting will be found eisewliore in
this paper.
The Pinkertons's Must Go.
The Pittsburg T.abor Tribune
suggests as a remedy for the Pinkerl
-in pest that organized labor take
steps to have cougress pass a
law abolishing private detective
agencies. Another paper suggests
that unions light the devil with
lire and that they hire detectives
to spy on the I'inkertons. This
latter would be another graft for
the. detectives. Open meeting are
cheaper than either the above
plans.
UMON MEN BE
UP AND DOING
Every Member of Organized Labor
In the State Must Get Busy.
? .
You, as a workingnian should do
all in your power to strengthen
your uiuon, lieeause it tends to
raise wages and helps to prevent
rednotions A. well organized
trade, union rarely recurves a cut
in rages. The union teaches cooperation,
enlarges aeipiaintanee,
do. elopes fraternity a nd lessens
excessive competition for situ
aliens.
The union tends to curb selfish
nes.-:, I he grab-all is toned down by
the fear of the opinions of his felloe
-i. i'lie union gives men selfre!,.nice;
aserviie employe is not a
freeman. The union makes thinkers
men need to rub intellects to.
*. , V- . . . .
g?i,uer jn maulers 01 common concern
.
A well-urbanized trade union
means more money, shorter lion is,
better working conditions, more
comforts for the family, better
shoes, clothing, etc. lor all, a better
education for the children, and
last, but not least, some luxuries
and amusements, which are necessary
in all well regulated human
families.
Is there a working man with
brains to think and eyes to see who
will dure to cont radict the above
statement? If that is true, it his
moral duty to join the union and
stand with his fellowmcn, ready at
all times to give battle to any and
all persons, anil especially open
shop employers, who stand against
the ideas as announced above.
; I he open shop is an impossibility
j unless you are a partners to the
agreement. When you fail to
I join the union, get careless in the
payment of your dues, don't attend
meetings and don't obey the
rules laid down in the constitution
you are a partner to the employer
in breaking up the union and
helping him to enforce the open
shop.
Value of Unionism*
i
When the Electrical Workers'
| Union was organized in St. Louis
in iS'.il wages ranged from 82.25
I to 82.00 a day from sun lip to sun
j down. Today the union has 50000
members who receive from
83.00 to sr..00 a day for eight
! injurs.
Do you get The Labor Argus?
If not, now is the time to subscribe.
Only SI per year; 50 cents for six
1 months. The only paper publlSlii
ed in the Kanawha Valley in the
| interest of the foiling masses.
Labor Journals Most Potent.
The most potent and far-reaching
inii LHM.ee at work in the labor world
; an- the labor journals, of which
18-r> monthly and 79 weekly publications
are issued in the United
Stales-and Canada.
The Labor Argus 81.00 per year.
Kvery working man should read it.
Notice Mr. Van Qeave.
A. F. of U. granted 320 charters
in the Ills' ten months, an increase
of 140 over the same period last
year.
Subscribe for Tiie Labor Argus.
UNION IDEA)
| OF LOF
Organized Labor is an In
to Stay?Its Most
Must 1
That orguni/.eillabor is an insti- j
tution that has come to stay even j
its opponents are compelled to all- j
mit. That its ideals are high, ils
i purposes noble, its history inspiring
anil its achievements remark-/
able and praiseworthy none can!
ileny. If now and then someindi- 1
vidnal or some organization proves 1
false to its principles or attempts
things that seem incompatible with
its high ideals and noble purpose,
that is no argument against organ- 1
ized labor. There are men who '
pose as Christians, even ministers
of the gospel, whose conduct justifies
the assertion that they wear
the livery of heaven the better to
to serve the devil, but that is no
argument against Christianity..
There are physicians and lawyers ]
who desecrate their profession for
the sake of money, but that is no
argument against medical science
or against jurisprudence. Organized
labor has nothing to fear l>y
comparing the conduct of its lenders
and inembeis with the conduct of
the people in any other walk of
life.
Win.,, ......
the methods of the financiers of today;
how little they hesitate to destroy
another man's business if it
be in the way of their unjust and
unlawful designs; how they disregard
both moral and civil law in
their efforts to acquire wealth, we
cannot help but think that our
country is vapidly becoming a nation
where wealth accumulates ,
and men decay. G reed,-t he desire
to get more out of a bargain than
one is justly entitled to, and the
disposition to deny others that
which they are justly entitled to is
the principal cause of this condition.
That it is a menace to our
institutions and to the future welfare
of our country is now the belief
of all thoughtful, well meaning
men.
JJut yeaix ago organized labor
sounded the alarm and began the ;
fight against those who would
make other paupers that they
themselves might bo nullionairs.
Wo nro now told that if wo do not
chock this tendency to probe into
tho methods of "high liniincc," (o
regulate inter-state eoinmorce, to
fix railroad rates by law, to prevent
adulteration of foodstuffs, etc.,
that we are going to ruin tho business
prospects of our country. It
is only a few years since wo were
told that if we did not destroy organized
labor it would ruin (lie
business prospects of the country.
Many who believed that cry now
themselves the vibtims of the same
forces that the labeling man has
been lighting for years. They can
now see that the same unjust spirit
j that has always contrived to deprive
the laboring man of justice
; beginning to make others?business
| men, farmers, professional men and
I even some employers?victims of
j its greed, arrogance and dishonest
trickery.
The awakening of the people to
this condition is sine to result
beneficially to heretofore, and will
bring into co-operation with organ
ized latjorsome of the prej udice that
existed against organized labor. It
will break down forces that opposed
or at looked aehance upon it in the
past? Organized labor will, therefore,
be able to meet the problems
of the future with wisdom and confidence,
and it its doctrine of a fair
day's wages for a fair day's work,
its aim to have every man, woman
and child possess and enjoy all the
comforts of life, were fully realized
it would do more to than any other
measure to counteract the evil that
results from the arrogance and
cupidity of those whose god is
mammon and whose aim is their |
j own enrichment, even though it \
j means the enslavement of the rest j
: of mankind.
Union Barbers Mad.
A dispatch from San Antnnio
! says the union barbers in the city
j are slow in complying with the new
LS ARE
TY NATURE.
stitution That Has Come
Bitter Opponents
ymit
barber law, ami that many of thorn
will hold oil' until fho matter has
boon throshod out in tho oourts. It
is aiulorstood that a tost ease will
soon bo instituted by a Dallas bar
bur college, which wonhl bo [>ut
out of business under tho provisions
of the now law, which provides
that a person must servo as an apprentice
for a period of two years
in a regular barber shop before ho
ran secure a license to follow tho
occupation of a harbor.
LABOR AND
TEMPERANCE*
Rev. Chits. Stclze Commends Tendency
of Organized Labor to
Quit Saloon.
('ommont lias already boon made
in one or two previous articles with
ro fore nee to tlio tendency ol organized
labor to cut loose from flic inlliience
of tlio saloon. President
Hampers' report to Hie last eonven
tion of tlie Aaiierican Federation of
Labor strongly recommended that
local in ions hold their meetings in
halls free from saloons. Central
labor bodies have passed resolutions
urging trades unionists to abstain
from the use of intoxicating liquor
because of possible injury to their
fellow-workmen, if for no other reason.
International unions have
also made similar appeals, to say
nothing about editorials in the labor
press.
.Announcement is made that the
live ollieials of the English labor
party in parliament are total abstainers.
Ho are also the chairman
and secretary of the Trades Union
Congress, 2!) labor members of
parliament, and 411 general secretaries
of trades unions.
(Sometime ago at a conference ol
40 representatives of labor and SO
ropreseiitatiues of tin' employers in
ii particular trade, it was suggested
that "all hands" come into the barroom
ol' the hotel to have a drink.
livery inun on tlic employers side
agreed, hut only two workiiigmen
accepted the invitation?2IS were
total abstainers.
A committee of six bricklayers
had just ceneludeded an agreement
for a picnic of their local, with the
owner of a summer garden. As was
his custom, he invited the committee
to ''have one on him "
Three drank leniondc, two took
cigars and one accepted a glass oflight
wine. "If the rest, of your
crowd are like you, I won't make
much out of this deal," remarked
tiie picnic ground owner.
This is a pretty good showing.
Jt indicates that organized labor is
not being guided by a lot of drunken
irresponsible^.
LEARNED LESSON
WITHIN TWO DAYS.
Mill Owners of Memphis, Prefer the
Union [Closed Shops,--The
Reason.
The mill owners 01 Memphis recently
posted notices that their
places would be run as open shops.
This was due to a disagreement
with the Carpenters' Union regarding
certain construction of the scale
psiwciall v holida-v Tlic firm? in.
sinuated that free and independent
workmen, who would be content to
any number of hours at any wages
desired, would be about the proper
thing. The union men, however,
thought otherwise, and a strike resulted.
Four iirms were involved.
Within two days one firm asked
that its old men be returned to it.
In another day one other firm
capitulated, and the next day the
other firms signified that they had
plenty. Under the terms entered
into, the firms-concede the union
shop and the Saturday half holiday.