Frank, a retired coal miner from Cokedale, Colorado, discusses changes in the coal industry: area mines were busy in WWII, but shut down in 1947. As production wound down, the company was finding too much "sulphur" rock per load of coal. His dad died of "miner's consumption" (i.e. black lung). Wojtylka recalls many nationalities in Cokedale, including some Japanese miners when he was young. He also remembers an explosion in the mine. During a strike at Cokedale, scabs were beaten up by union members from out of town. (There had been less union organization at Cokedale, but more at Sopris and other nearby mines.) During the 1927 "Wobblies" strike (which in this area started at Valdez by the IWW), strikers scattered nails on the road. Cokedale coal mines had gotten union organization by 1943. The companies even provided bus transport to the coal mine. Wojtylka details conflicts between old-timers and newcomers to town. He served on the town council for quite a while; they organized town services after the company sold out. Cokedale is one of the few company towns that survived. Buildings sold for about $400 for a 4-room house. Over time, home heating has changed from coal to natural gas. Mining pay changed from script (when he was young) to gold to cash to checks. There were a few thefts of payroll from the company. In the coal camps, people seemed to enjoy life more than neighbors in cities or on farms. Neighbors often got together for parties and seemed able to get by, with less money. Wojtylka feels that today's workers expect more for less effort and are not willing to work. Mining camps were less isolated than ranches and farms, and also had shorter work-days. Working conditions in the mines were much better if it wasn't low coal. During Prohibition, some families made wine at home; there were a few bootleggers of whisky, also. There was even some gambling in Cokedale, many years ago. They used to enjoy streetcar service from Cokedale to Trinidad. Today, Wojtylka decries high prices and wages; he feels that people are unwilling to work for a good life. He compares life and costs today vs. during Roosevelt's presidency. Wojtylka admits that small towns such as Cokedale have governance problems because people are in conflict with each other. There's a surprising amount of conflict in such a small town for example, he has witnessed their difficulties finishing the local sewer service.
description
Frank, a retired coal miner from Cokedale, Colorado, discusses changes in the coal industry: area mines were busy in WWII, but shut down in 1947. As production wound down, the company was finding too much "sulphur" rock per load of coal. His dad died of "miner's consumption" (i.e. black lung). Wojtylka recalls many nationalities in Cokedale, including some Japanese miners when he was young. He also remembers an explosion in the mine. During a strike at Cokedale, scabs were beaten up by union members from out of town. (There had been less union organization at Cokedale, but more at Sopris and other nearby mines.) During the 1927 "Wobblies" strike (which in this area started at Valdez by the IWW), strikers scattered nails on the road. Cokedale coal mines had gotten union organization by 1943. The companies even provided bus transport to the coal mine. Wojtylka details conflicts between old-timers and newcomers to town. He served on the town council for quite a while; they organized town services after the company sold out. Cokedale is one of the few company towns that survived. Buildings sold for about $400 for a 4-room house. Over time, home heating has changed from coal to natural gas. Mining pay changed from script (when he was young) to gold to cash to checks. There were a few thefts of payroll from the company. In the coal camps, people seemed to enjoy life more than neighbors in cities or on farms. Neighbors often got together for parties and seemed able to get by, with less money. Wojtylka feels that today's workers expect more for less effort and are not willing to work. Mining camps were less isolated than ranches and farms, and also had shorter work-days. Working conditions in the mines were much better if it wasn't low coal. During Prohibition, some families made wine at home; there were a few bootleggers of whisky, also. There was even some gambling in Cokedale, many years ago. They used to enjoy streetcar service from Cokedale to Trinidad. Today, Wojtylka decries high prices and wages; he feels that people are unwilling to work for a good life. He compares life and costs today vs. during Roosevelt's presidency. Wojtylka admits that small towns such as Cokedale have governance problems because people are in conflict with each other. There's a surprising amount of conflict in such a small town for example, he has witnessed their difficulties finishing the local sewer service.
Description
false