Radio address - Mr. Vogel - page 2 _
25 to 30 cents mere per ton. This freight rate differential
makes it impossible for Harlan to pay the same wage scale
and compete in the markets with other fields. Another reason
given, is the objection to the type of leadership that has
been sent into Harlan County to organize the field.
Q. QUESTION: Is mining the sole industry in Harlan County, and how many
mines are there in Harlan County?
_ ANSWER: There are now 52 active mines — 8 temporarily closed down a-
waiting a pick—up in business, and 18 abandoned mines, only 4
of which have been completely worked out. It may be of interest
to know that in the past 12 months 3 mines were sold under court
judgment, 4 went into the hands of receivers, and 7 are closed
for lack of business.
7. QUESTION: We have heard much about unemployment in Harlan County. What
is the situation? How many men are out of employment in Harlan
County?
ANSWER: I would estimate that there are about 2,000 men who have ab-
solutely no employment, and those who are employed are working
only from one to six days. However, only about 500 of the
more than 7,000 men do have six days' work per week. There
are two types of mines in Harlan. One is called the "captive"
mine. This mine is owned and operated by a Company that Lpn umes
the coal dug in its own industry, for example the Uniteg Sggél
Corporation mines at Lynch and the Wisconsin Steel Corporation
mines at Benhama These mines have been running more regularly
than those getting out coal for the general market. Taking
all the mines of the County just now, they are running on about
30 to 52% time. To give you some idea of the decline in business
it will be of interest to know that in 1928 there were 12,000
miners employed in Harlan County; in 1951 there were 7,500. In
1928 there were 14,510,958 tons of coal dug; in l95l·9,104,851
tons were dug, — a decline of more than 5,000,000 tons. At the
peak of war prices coal sold at about $8.00 per ton for run of
mine. New the average at the mine for run of mine coal is
i about $1.10.
8. QUESTION: Just what are the companies doing to aid their men through this
crisis of depression and bad business?
ANSWER: Companies are advancing their men many thousands of dollars
through their com isaries. Hoping that business will pick up
enough later to enable the men to pay it back. If that should
` not happen, the companies, ofcourse, lose. Nearly every mining
company in Harlan County is going into the "red" now, on
operating expense.
9, QUESTION: What has been done for the relief of the unemployed in Harlan
County?
ANSWER: I have had the privilege of serving on the distribution committee
of the Harlan County Relief Association. we have received
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