Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1909 — PEACE OR WAR IN COAL REGION? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PEACE OR WAR IN COAL REGION?

Will Be DecidedatConvention Which Began Today. DEMANDS OF THE WORKERS Terms Reached Through Roosevelt Strike Commission No Longer Applicable to Miners' Conditions, They Declare—Operators Willing to Renew Present Compact, but Will Oppose Agreement Proposed by Union Leaders. Indianapolis, Jan. 19.—Whether the country is to have another coal strike or not will probably be decided at the convention of the United Mine Workers of America which began here this morning. The miners will again put forward the demands that have teen

rejected by tho operators, they will be rejected by the killer, and the issue will be joined The demands of the miners read as follows: • First. -That an agreement shall be negotiated between the representatives of ttie mineis and the operators of the anthracite region and all disputes arising under the contract shall be adjusted as provided for in such agreement. Second —We demand the complete recognition;of the United Mine Workers of America as a party to negotiate a wage contract ami that the United Mine Workers of America shall be recognized in our right to provide any method we r. :v adopt for the collection of rerenu >s for the organization. Third,- That wl> demand an eight hour day wi’h no reduction of wages. Fourth -That all coal shall be mined and paid for by the ton of 2,000 pounds. Fifth.—That we demand a definite and more uniform scale of wages and prices for all classes of labor at all collieries in the anthracite region and that all employes paid less than $1 50 per day shall receive a 10 per cent advance. and all employes paid more than $1.50 and less than $2 a day shall receive a 5 per cent advance. Sixth.—That the system whereby a contract, miner has more than one job or employes two or more laborers be abolished. Seventh.—That the employers be required to Issue uniform pay statements designating the name of the company, the name of the employe, the colliery where employed, the amount of wages and the class of work performed. Eighth.—That the contract shall be made for the period of one year.

THOMAS L. LEWIS