Coal Wars
Coal Wars by David Bullock
Reviewed by L. Bennett
This book is a history of the United Mine Workers of America and the Western Miners Union of America in the coal mining towns of Washington. In particular the towns of Roslyn, Ronald, and Cle Elum in Kittitas County. I bought the book, written by David Bullock, because I have family ties to coal miners in those three locations. Although some of the family had moved away before the fateful strike of April 3, 1934, the story still resonated. I even found a family member mentioned, albeit in a very minor way (pardon the bad pun).
In short, miners wanted a shorter work day, a shorter work week, and higher wages. The two unions wanted the same things but chose different routes to present their arguments. The UMWA negotiated with the Northwest Improvement Company, owner of the biggest mines in the area, and President Franklin Roosevelt's efforts set a national wage standard. The newly organized WMUA, loosely affiliated with the Communist Party, favored confrontation. When neither union made progress, the miners walked out. The resulting hostilities tore apart families, ended friendships, and scared many residents. Long-term residents of the area still have strongly held opinions about it.
It was an interesting history and easy to read. I could picture the houses and streets where rock-throwing picketers confronted men on their way to work, and the company store where angry wives challenged one another based on their husbands' union membership. The personal touches added by the author, whose grandfather lived in Roslyn at the time, helped to move the story off the negotiation tables and into the lives of people dependent upon coal mining.
