Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-01-05
IuE CnAI IIEEIr1.Iry

lHE GOAL DIFFICULTY AGAIN.
The communication of IL. liakes to the
Rock Island Commercial, which we publish
ed yesterday, gives but one side to the coal
difficulty which has been the subject Of
considerable talk and pickering for some
days past. Mr.. IL. of the Coal Valley Co.
pitches into Mr.. Lowry. of the Henry Co.
Coal Co., in very harsh manner, and finds
much fault with his management of affairs
While Mr.. Hakes is asserting that Mr.. Low
ry is attempting to. command the coal trade
in Rock Island and Davenport, he forgets
that he is aiming at the same mark himself,
and in manner::less satisfactory TO the pub
lie. He also forgets the proceedings of a
meeting held about one year ago, which we
give below, and in which the different COM
panies fixed the rates at one cent higher
than the miners did at their late meeting.
Where nom is your humanity, Mr.. Hakes 2
The..iGentleman's position may be salts
factory to himself. but it is not to the pub
lie. Why should this Company arrogate to
itself all the. e..authority in these matter? 1t
is true the managers thereof advertised to
sell coal cheaper than any other Company.
but how l-by taking from their miners one
third of their usual wages. The miners of
the Coal Valley Co. were informed that
they must work cheaper, and what fer :?
Why, to give that Company q chance to
undersell and undermine the other Compa
MES, which were more honest, and did not
think they paid their men too much for
their services. Those familiar with the
mining business in this country are well
aware that it is the most hazardous as well
as the most laborious work performed, and
none but men who are bred as miners can
perform it and that three cents per bushel
is but fair compensation for their services.
This attempt at running" on the other
companies met with prompt action on the
part of the miuers. who knew their rights;
this "act of humanity" brought down upon
Mr.. Hakes' Company, the just Indignation
of the miners, who at once rebelled and
took action upon it, in connection with the
miners of other Companies. Had the
miners of Coal Valley accepted the terms,
then the other Companies must either com
pei their men to take one-third less than
they. really earned, else Mr. Hakes' compa-
ny would have all the advantage the OBJ
ject sought for. Who, then has caused all
this trouble which Mr. H. makes such ado
about: 1t is the Coal Valley Mining Co.
that has done it; that company commenced
the war, and if they would see it brought
to close let them assume.an even tenor of
action, and leave off trying to build itself
up ON other Companys' ruins.
Below We give report of the proceed
ings of a meeting held in Rock Island about
one year since, by the perusal of which the
public will zee that the late action Of the
Coal Valley Company was direct breach
Of . contract to which that Company WIS
party:
At meeting of the Carbon Cliff Henry
County, and Coal Valley Mining Companies,
held at the office of the Rock Island ard
Peoria Railroad Company, January 2sth,
1855
Wm II. Whitman was called to the chair,
and b. Hakes appointed Secretary.
On motion, the following preamble and
resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, For the purpose Of establishing
a uniform price for coal. at the mines and
in the cities Of Rock Island and Davenport,
the Carbon Cliff, Henry County, and Coal
Valley Mining Companies agree to and
each with the other, that they will abide by
the prices hereinafter named. and pledge
themselves not 50 sell or dispose of any coal
for less price until after the Let day Of
january, 1859, except with parties with
whom they have written contracts, dated
prior to January, 26th, 1858.
1t n also agreed that In the event Of the
establishment Of yards or agencies for the
ale Of coal d any other place than here.
eioss mentioned, ths psiss ahAll b The