1497 
Miners and Their Wages 
S OME "weeks ago one of our readers sent us the 
following newspaper clipping, asking if it can 
possibly be true that such wages are paid miners: 
Somerset, Pa.. Oct.. 4.—Mike Ilaneher, a miner em¬ 
ployed at the Murdock operation of the MacGregor 
Goal Company, has displaced I'at Flinn as the cham¬ 
pion “big pay” miner of Somerset County, llis last 
pay for a two-weeks’ period amounted to $291.50, and 
in the two preceding weeks he earned $230.50, a total 
of $530 for the month. 
Haneher says if he can continue to earn money at 
this rate he will return to his native land of Slavonia 
in a few years and buy a castle. 
As we well know, the papers are well filled with 
propaganda of' various kinds. In some cases the 
object is to show that the big industrial concerns 
are making excessive profits, or that wage expenses 
are getting too much. It is not safe to play with 
such figures. They may or may rot be fair or true. 
What we did was to ask a large number of our 
readers in the coal mining districts to find out for 
us just what miners receive. As a result we have 
numerous reports. The following is a fair sample 
of what our people tell us. This comes from Somer¬ 
set, where “Mike Haneher” is employed: 
I have not verified the statement on the inclosed 
clipping, but do not doubt that it is correct. I went to 
the office of the Consolidation Coal Company, which is 
one of the largest coal companies operating in Somerset 
County, l'a. Xoti will notice on the following sheet 
they gave the earnings of the six highest on their pay¬ 
rolls, and it shows that for the month of September 
John Iietrami earned more than Mike Ilaneher. It 
also shows that during a period of one month, six men 
earned $2,810.61 from one company; at any rate, they 
drew that much pay. 
It doesn't look as if the coal miners would have any 
reasons to strike. Those that live in the company 
houses have reasonable rent, have electric light and 
water in the houses or right at the door, and jet they 
are not satisfied. You can readily see what we farmers 
are up against when we need extra help. 
I have three soils; two work on the farm all the time; 
one owns and operates a thrashing machine. He 
thrashed over 50,000 bushels of grain, and besides he 
filled a number of silos, and now he works in the 
mines, lie makes much more than those who work on 
the farms. Is it any wonder that farmers are dissat¬ 
isfied ? 
employes’ consolidation coal COMPANY 
Pennsylvania Division 
George Meyers, Aug., 
Paul Krupper. Sept- 
Geo. Holder. Aug.. 10 
Andy Beltman, Sept., 
Thos. Balunis, Sept.. 
Harry Swartz, Aug., 
John Betrami, Sept., 
1022. 
1022. 
1022 ............... 
1022. 
1922. 
1922. 
Earnings 
$391.02 
310.55 
308.70 
324.70 
371.20 
499 - 71 
000.02 
$2,810.61 
Occupation of Pennsylvania Legislators 
A PENNSYLVANIA reader sends us the following 
statement of the occupations of members of 
tlie Legislature just elected in that State: 
House—Coal dealer, 2; housekeeper, 4; attorney, 37; 
druggist, 2; real estate, 0; physician, 0; undertaker. 3; 
banker, 5; retired. 3; publisher, 4; contractor, 5; 
(dumber, 2; drayman, 1; clerk. 14; insurance, 5; well 
driller. 1; fitter, 1; merchant. 12; salesman. 11: broker, 
l; newspaperman. 1; telegraph operator, 1; dockmaster, 
1; agent, 1; deputy sheriff, 1; coal operator. 1; printer, 
1; civil engineer. 1; no occupation, 3; machinist. 2; 
school principal, 2 ; teacher. 2; confectioner, 1; farmer. 
13; veterinarian, 1; manufacturer. 10; miner, 3; engi¬ 
neer, I; builder, 1; bricklayer, 1; garage owner, 1; 
secretary, 3} bookkeeper, 1; dentist, 2; conductor, 3*, 
manager, 7; representative, 1 : health officer, 1 ; laborer, 
2: gentleman. 1; preacher. 1; lumbering and farming, 
1 ; lumberman. 3; hotel proprietor. 1; painter, 1: tan¬ 
ner, 1; oil producer, 1; editor, 1; electrician, 1; canner, 
1; miner’s representative, 1. 
Senate—Contractor, 3; attorney, IS; insurance, 2; 
medical doctor. 1; publisher, 1; agent, 1; banker, 4; 
manufacturer, 3; merchant, 1; creameryxuan, 1; lum¬ 
berman. 2; retired, 2; farmer, I; senator. 1; oil pro¬ 
ducer, 2; coal operator, 1; manager. 2; theatrical man¬ 
ager. 1; bunking investments, 1; alderman, 1. 
The man who scuds this list adds: “Just what the 
recently elected Governor can accomplish in cleaning 
up the ‘mess at Harrisburg.' according to promise, 
with this outfit in control remains to be seen.” 
That’s right! People want to be shown. The 14 
farmers and four housekeepers ought to help; per¬ 
haps they will have a little help from the gentleman 
and the preacher. These six doctors and three un¬ 
dertakers ought to do something. But before we 
find fault with the limited number of farmers, let us 
ask who failed to send more of them from agricul¬ 
tural counties! 
Committee on Milk Situation 
A FTER a lengthy discussion of the milk situation 
at the recent dairy meeting at Watertown a 
committee representing the northern counties of the 
State was appointed in harmony with the suggestion 
of a conference of the independent groups now in 
the Industry. Mr. H. E. Cook of Denmark, N. Y., is 
chairman of the committee, and the following letter 
lias been addressed to the various groups: 
At a meeting of the committee appointed by the State 
Dairymen’s Association, held November 14-17, 1022. in 
the oit.v of Watertown, to offer some plan whereby the 
various organizations now existing for the sale and 
handling of milk and milk products could work together 
for the general good of the dairymen of New York and 
adjacent States, the following resolution was adopted: 
*..€ RURAL NEW-YORKER 
Resolved, That this committee, composed of W. H. 
Dewey and A. (’. Bickford, Lewis County; Floyd Over¬ 
ton. John McKenzie and A. R. Bodwan. Jefferson 
County; Earl Laidlavv, Will Woodcock, B. 8. Crapser 
and Aloixvt Chase, St. Lawrence County; J. F. Taleon 
and Dan Golden, Franklin County, and T. L Sheldon, 
Clinton County, in session in the village of Gouverueur, 
November 25, 1922, do hereby extend to the Dairymen's 
League Association, the Eastern States Association and 
the Sheffield Farms Group of Producers an invitation to 
meet iu conference among themselves at a convenient 
time and place to be arranged and there to take neces¬ 
sary steps to form a Producers’ Conference Board which 
-hall function in harmonizing the methods and points 
of view without unduly infringing on the present 
methods of these organizations previously mentioned. 
Prices for Farm Products 
The following table compiled by the Bureau of Sta¬ 
tistics. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, shows 
the average of the prices of farm commodities pre¬ 
vailing in the different counties of Pennsylvania on 
November 1, compared with one year ago: 
Nov. 1.1022 Nov. 1.1921 
Wheat ... 
$1.05 
$1.07 
Corn . 
.71 
.60 
Rye . 
.8.8 
.93 
Oats . 
.40 
.45 
Buckwheat . 
.88 
.00 
Apples.t. 
.91 
2.43 
Potatoes . 
.81 
1.35 
Hay . 
15.00 
18.30 
Eggs . 
.49 
.54 
l-’arm butter . 
.46 
.50 
Milk, per 100 lbs . 
2.41 
2.43 
W 90 I . 
.34 
.21 
NO yet the Federal reports show that the retail 
prices for food have increased about 2 per cent. 
With the exception of wool, all the important crops 
which these farmers have to sell are bringing less 
money than last year. With the possible exception 
of labor, all farm expenses are just as high, if uot 
higher. 
The Middleman Takes It All 
I have been selling my milk to a milk peddler for 
6 cents a quart, and he sold for 10 cents. In October, 
he. with the other milk peddlers, put a notice in the 
paper, as follows; “Due to the advance in prices of 
grains ami low labor incomes of dairymen, the Milk 
Producers’ Association will advance the price of milk 
2 cents per quart November 1.” Now. he buys all his 
milk from his father and from me. and doesn't produce, 
but still he gives me the same price he did in the Sum¬ 
mer—6 cents—and he sells for 12 cents, thus making 
as much as he gives the producer. Is this right, and 
what cun I do about it if it is not right? at. c. 
Vermont. 
O. It is not right, but it is a fair sample of 
the way such things are often done. We never 
yet saw a middleman who voluntarily passed along 
a share of his increased price, lie will use the pro- 
lueer’s necessities to force more out of the consumer, 
but he will not share the increase without a fight. 
About all you and other dairymen can do will be to 
combine and refuse to sell milk for less than 7 cents. 
That means dividing the increase equally with the 
peddlers. Either that or organize to deliver milk 
direct to customers at a fair price. If you wait 
for these middlemen to hand you the extra price 
just because it is right you will wait a lifetime and 
never get it. 
Forecast of the Bean Market 
Will you give us a forecast of the bean market? Do 
on consider this year's crop price now at the limit? 
Michigan. JOSEPH cross. 
The beau situation is quite different from that of a 
.ear ago. Then there was a light crop, bur a big carry¬ 
over from preceding crops. This year’s crop of 12.000,- 
•XK> bushels is about one-third larger than in 1021, but 
the old stock has been well cleaned up, so that the new 
crop, while it is a good-sized one, will have clear sail¬ 
ing. Foreign beaus came over in considerable quantity 
last season, but they did not give entire satisfaction, 
and the tariff will tend to keep them out anyhow unless 
the price goes up. 
The increased production is chiefly in California and 
Michigan, which together raise about live-sixths of the 
crop. The outlook is there are beans enough and no 
high prices are looked for and not to be desired if all 
I he beans are to be sold, but the bean market often fol¬ 
lows that of grain to some extent. The present beau 
prices seem fairly well adjusted to the general outlook, 
and there is no special reason in sight to justify holding 
for higher prices unless one cares to reckon on the 
chance of a light crop next year. Present prices are $2 
to $3 per 100 lbs. higher than iu December. 1021, or 
December, 1920. New York price declined about 25c 
during November. Shipments in October and Novem¬ 
ber were heavy from California and Michigan, but mod¬ 
erate from other sections. Car shortage restricts move¬ 
ment. e. h.f. 
The Farmer and His Ballot 
Regarding the discussion now going the rounds about 
he farmers’ small profit, or not profit, and the charge 
of robbery on the part of the middlemen, I would like 
to add the following: The distance from Fennville. 
Mich., to Chicago is 145 miles. Ou November 11 I 
shipped nine bushels of potatoes to Chicago. I received 
s o cents per bushel, or $7.20 for the potatoes. The ex¬ 
press charges wire $6.11, or 68 cents per bushel, making 
the potatoes cost the consumer 81.48, A neighbor 
shipped four barrels of apples to Detroit, Mich., dis¬ 
tance 165 miles. My neighbor received $14.20 for the 
four barrels of apples. The express charges were $12; 
the cost to the consumer per barrel was $6.55. where 
83 per barrel was a fancy price for this season's crop. 
There was no middleman's robbery in either one of 
these cases, unless the express charge can be considered 
as such. Yet in each ease the consumer paid too much. 
Still, we are advised to establish a farm-to-consumer 
trade. It cannot be done, due to the high transporta¬ 
tion charge. 
Again, this past season the lake boats’ charge was 27 
cents per bushel to the grower with 10 bushels or 300 
bushels, but to the buyer or dealer they made a rale in 
carload quantities of 11c per bushel. Does it cost less 
to transport a bushel because it is one of a earlot than 
it does to transport a bushel, one of many small lots, 
making a carload or more? These are just, a few of 
the things causing so many of us farmers to become 
disgusted with the present Administration at the last 
election. The politician is trying to console himself by 
saying that, because we farmers are dissatisfied we took 
a rap at the party in power. Surely we could not 
charge the rank injustice that has been meted out to 
us to the party out of power. j. o. m’faklanu, 
Michigan. 
Legislative Needs of New York Farmers 
[We have found it very difficult to obtain opinions* 
regarding needed legislation from practical farmers. 
Most of them state frankly that they do not expect a 
Legislature fully dominated by New York City to be 
interested in rural problems. Therefore they decline to 
express themselves. We have, however, a few notes 
which express the desires of thinking country jxeople. 
Here is one of the best.] 
CATERING TO CONSUMERS.—Agriculture, the 
greatest industry ia the State, has some vital problems 
which this coming Legislature can undertake to solve. 
The most important of these problems deals with the 
handling of food from the point of production to the 
ultimate consumer. Adequate terminal facilities will 
be a considerable help, provided that the proposed plan 
will include a system of regional wholesale depots under 
government license. Special attention should be given 
toward maintaining a line of goods at these regional 
wholesale depots tor community stores) that can read- 
ily be absorbed by consumers. As a next step the gov¬ 
ernment .should utilize the schools and the press to con¬ 
duct a campaign of economics and thrift. Bread aud 
butter economics should be an important part of the 
curriculum employed in our educational system. Where 
practicable, the people should be taught to buy a quan¬ 
tity from the regional wholesale depot, instead of buy¬ 
ing half a pound of sliced bacon, a slice of ham. from 
the counter, or a few pounds of beef at a time in the 
Winter from a delicatessen shop. The proper development 
of such a plan would tend to destroy the vicious prac¬ 
tice of retailers, whic-h became deep-rooted during the 
war. of preferring to do a small volume of business at 
an extortionate profit, rather than effect a big turnover 
at a respectable profit. The operation of this practice 
has resulted in the destruction of a large portion of the 
old-time custom of canning berries and other fruits and 
vegetables at home in the big cities. Retailers should 
also be deprived of the opportunity of exercising cer¬ 
tain other <>f rbeir malpractices. 
HIGH TAXES.—The question of taxation has be¬ 
come increasingly serious. Farmers, ae a particular 
class, are adversely affected by the constant trend to¬ 
ward higher taxes. The man who works for $5 or $10 
a day pays a very siigh tax ou his income. The man¬ 
ufacturer or corporation provides for the payment of 
his tax, which is based ou a very low assessment com¬ 
pared with farm property, by passing it directly to the 
consumer in the form of an increased price on his goods. 
The payment of taxes is such a light matter with some 
of our more or less monopolistic corporations that exor¬ 
bitant dividends are provided for. in addition to serv¬ 
ing the stockholders with an occasional "melon.’’ Such 
conditions are made possible because prices are set, and 
uot always according to the free working of the law of 
supply and demand. The law of supply ami demand 
loes not function in such an erratic manner as to cause 
the prices u£ certain standard hardware articles made 
by the steel corporation to advance recently 50 per cent 
within two months’ time. The farmer is in a different 
setting. In most cases he still takes what the middle¬ 
man chooses to hand him. He pays his increased taxes 
only by accepting a standard of wages lower than that 
received by a day laborer. Taxes on land are too high. 
Taxes on farms throuughout a large portion of New 
York State, in which 1 am acquainted, absorb from 35 
per cent to 60 per cent of ibe rent !hat can be obtained. 
Depreciation takes a large portion of what is left after 
taxes are paid. If rhe modest charge of 3 per cent were 
allowed ou the investment the business of renting the 
average farm would show a big deficit. There should 
be a revision downward of farm land assessments, espe¬ 
cially on those farms which are located back from the 
improved highways, aud the system of reduced taxation 
on forest lauds and lands that are to be set back to for¬ 
ests should be made universally effective. Fullv one- 
sixth of the open area of New York State should be pur 
back to trees under this plan of decreased assessment. 
Finally, but not the least important, the list of tax-free 
securities should be cut to the bone. 
CURB FOOD LAWS.—We need the strongest kind 
of a pure food law. with penalties severe enough to re¬ 
duce violations to a minimum. Bob-veal is a very com¬ 
mon commodity of commerce. Cold storage eggs tit per¬ 
fectly and quite uniformly in the strictly fresh egg 
racks. Certain of the chain stores handle duly inferior 
meats and seconds, but consistently advertise their 
goods as the best in the city. Iu these same stores 
cereals ami other material are added to pork for sau¬ 
sage without furnishing rhe public information ns to 
the percentage of adulteration. A determined effort 
should be made to stop such abuses. 
l’l RE PRODUCTS.—The efforts to secure pure 
food ami properly labeled food should be supplemented 
by the passage of a pure products law. The petroleum 
interests should be forced to servo the country with a 
better grade of kerosene oil for illumination, for this 
method illumination is still by far rhe most prevalent 
in the country. The steel trust should be forced to give 
us opportunity to buy a far better quality of barbed 
wire. Those of us who are forced to use considerable 
quantities of barbed wire to maintain our fences under¬ 
stand that it is better business for the steel trust to 
send out barbed wire that will rust through in five ox- 
six vears, but this is just a sample of one of those 
abuses from which we as farmers demand relief. Give 
us ‘he opportunity, through the establishment of stand¬ 
ard- by the State, to buy honest, ziue-eoated barbed 
wire 
OTHER SUGGESTIONS.—There are many other 
matters which should entertain the deliberations of our 
legislators, such as the reduction of tuberculosis in cat¬ 
tle,^ requiring more commission men to be under bond, 
which shall specifically include buyers of hay at the 
country end, and the remodeling of our disgraceful 
bankruptcy act so that it will not act as an encourage¬ 
ment for petitions in bankruptcy, hut so to provide that 
when a bankrupt reaches a fair degree of recuperation 
be shall be assessed toward the satisfaction of his for¬ 
mer true debts. In the meantime he should be forced 
to reuder annual inventory to the State. 
Montgomery Co., N. Y. n. no yd devendorf. 
