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"Land which we may not develop during the
next 50 years has been purchased, and on this we
are paying taxes. It was appraised at $25 when
purchased, and is now charged at $75. The investment
has benefited the territory where the
lands are situated and development has stimulated
other industries, built towns, and increased county
revenues. Our interests are great, so great that
we asked for this hearing, believing this comm.-tee
would not approve the bill if familiar with
the injury it would cause. Our protest is not
only that of the operator, but is backed by the
United Miners of Western Pennsylvania. We are
willing to pay our fair share of taxes, but not an
unequal proportion, and you should not expect it."
W. B. Wilson, secretary of the United Mine Workers
of America, was next introduced. He said in
part:
"There are many points on which operators and
miners disagree, but on this bill they are unanimous
in their opposition. It is a well recognized
rule of legislation that no bill shall be enacted
unless it is reinforced by a well defined necessity.
"There is no necessity for a three cent tax per
ton or any other amount on coal. It would be a
hardship on the operator and on the employes. If
we had a monopoly it would be different, but we
have to compete with other states, and we, who
have been in wage conferences, know how sharp
is the competition in this line. On all sides of
Pennsylvania it exists. Wage conditions are governed
by this competition. In Virginia and West
Virginia wages for mining are not equal to those
paid here. Those states have many natural advantages.
They can produce coal much cheaper.
Without enumerating the advantages enjoyed by
the states mentioned, I am able to say that Pennsylvania
is at a great disadvantage. As Mr. Robbins
so plainly put it, we cannot make prices; we
meet them. If we do not meet them our mines
are closed and our men are out of employment.
"The margin of profit in coal is so narrow that
the passage of this bill would result in a contest
between operator and miner as to who would have
to pay the three-cent tax. The miners believe it
would fall upon them. Out of all reason is the
amount of this proposed tax. It is equal to a 300
per cent, tax, and no industry can support such a
burden. I am a farmer as well as a miner and
know that if you were to place this burden upon
my farm, I would be obliged to surrender the
property. Should this measure become a law one
of two things would happen; either the miners
would accept a reduction of wages or strike to resist
such reduction. The Butler and Central districts
are now attempting to agree upon their wage
scales for this year, but are unable to do so because
of the pending bill. Seventy-five or eighty
thousand men are tied up waiting an adjustment.
THE COAL TRADE BULLETIN. 41
"In the Pittsburgh region the scale has yet to
run another year. It was made in conjunction
with the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and
based upon those natural differentials calculated
to give a fair deal to all interests. Should this
bill pass it would destroy our competitive relations.
it would not only be an injustice for one year, so
far as Pennsylvania is concerned, but afterward.
If the legislature could tax all coal, the subject
might be one worthy of consideration, but under
present conditions they have as much right to
impose a tax on steel, iron, textile, tobacco and
agricultural interests as they have upon coal.
"If the proposition is just it should apply to all
products, not to one. This bill is detrimental to
the interests of the state. The consumers outside
of Pennsylvania will not pay for the reason
that they would take advantage of competition.
Sixty-five per cent, of the bituminous coal mined
in Pennsylvania is consumed here, 35 per cent.
outside, therefore the burden of taxation would be
principally borne by our people."
After Senator Wilbert had submitted a telegram
announcing the resolution of protest adopted by
the Merchants and Manufacturers' Association of
Pittsburgh and another resolution of a similar
character from Connellsville, President Patrick
Dolan, of the Fifth district, was introduced.
"I am here with a little more than has been
said," said Mr. Dolan, "and as the representative
of 50,000 miners I desire to file a most emphatic
protest against the passage of this bill. Our wage
conferences have been obliged to adjourn until it
is disposed of. In the 27 years since I entered
the business, I never before heard such a proposition.
If you vote for this bill you will be voting
a wage reduction for the miners.
"I do not believe they will accept it. But should
they submit the coal now mined and shipped from
this state would be supplied from other states and
the wages now earned by our miners would be
earned elsewhere. It would mean less work, it
would be disastrous. Let the employers look out
for themselves. We are here for the miners. Do
you want to legislate us out of the state and that
part of our coal industry which so successfully
competes with those of other commonwealths?
This bill is not fair; it should not be passed, and
the miners expect you to protect them."
Nearly every member of the delegation addressed
the committee, many presenting carefully prepared
figures showing the iniquitous results the
proposed law must inevitably have on the mining
interests of the state. In addition to the protests
made at the public hearing written protests had
been filed by the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
and the trade boards of almost every town
in Central and Western Pennsylvania. The hearing
was attended by the majority of the members