Anthracite Coal Strike Rumors
By L. A. S.
THERE are rumors of another great strike to take place in the anthracite coal field. A press dispatch which speaks of the national miners’ convention that was held recently at Indianapolis, says:— It is expected that precautionary preparations for another great struggle between the anthracite coal operators and the United Mine Workers will be laid. The convention will devote a part of its time to planning for a war footing for the organization, so that it will be able to meet and make demands of the anthracite operators on April 1, 1906. The miners want:— 1. Recognition of the union. 2. A joint contract such as exists in the principal bituminous districts, covering at least a year. 3. The adoption of the check-off system by the anthracite companies, by which they, as the bituminous operators now do, will collect the union dues at the mine. By changing the southwestern district contract so that it will expire on April 1, 1906, instead of July 1, 1905, the miners’ organization now has its working contracts in the districts that produce fully ninety per cent of the steam and commercial bituminous coal of the country, expiring on the same day that the anthracite strike award expires, April 1, 1906. It is now in such a position that, without breaking any working contract, it will be able to pit the bituminous operators against the anthracite, or in case of a strike bring about practically a suspension of coal mining in the United States, shutting down the anthracite and bituminous mines alike. The anthracite strike commission appointed by President Roosevelt, and its award after long and careful study of the situation, represents the utmost that human effort can do to establish peace between these great warring factions in the industrial world, and if this effort fails, there will be no other outlook but for an indefinite continuance of strife, with its unhappy consequences. All human experience has proved, and still testifies, that where selfishness rules, there can be no guaranty of permanent peace. Not until the kingdoms and governments of men give place to the kingdom of Christ will the meek of the earth be able to “delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” L. A. S.