From: Sherri Hall [ldrbelties@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 6:56 PM
To: KY-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Subject: [KYF] NEWS: Dixie Gem Mine, 1920, Bell Co. 

Submitted by Mary Lou Hudson
  <http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00005.html#0001143>

Middlesboro Daily News, Middlesboro, KY - Dec., 16, 1920

Dixie Gem Mine Shut Down When Miners Quit Work
Reduction In Wages Because Of Slump In Coal Market Cause Of Workers
Action -- Other Mines Nearby Not Affected.
   The Dixie Gem mines, owned by John Reese were closed down yesterday.
Twenty five to forty men employed in the mines quit work when a reduction in
wages was announced.  It is said the operator announced a cut of $1.00 in
the daily wage of each miner, on account of cheaper prices for coal.
   The Dixie Gem mines are near the city and contain the highest grad of
domestic coal in this section.  Mines near the Dixie Gem are shipping under
old contracts and for the present are not affected by market fluctuations.
But nearly all previous contracts expire the first of January and all
operators of this field may then announce reductions of wages.
   The men that were in the Dixie Gem have mostly gone to work at nearby
mines.

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