The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-05
KING COIL.

The sudden rise in the price of coal has in
cited anyindignant comments, and prompted
an agitation which may result in a repeal or
modification of the existing duties on foreign
coal. New England looks with an eager eve
TO the Nova Scotia mines She would gladly
annex that province, and destroy her present
dependence upon the Pennsylvania and Cum
berland mines, by insuring supplies from the
home of the Blue Noses. 1t is her OK that is
uored now, and she makes the most of her
grievances A few years ago her Senators
voted unanimously for a reduction or re-
peal of the duty on coal, but they
were badly defeated by the Senators of the
Middle and Western States on the ground that
it was unjust and ungenerous for the portion
of the country which had derived more profit
than any other from high tariffs, to attempt
to rid itself of a slight share of the incidental
burdens OF protection. Now, however, the
agitationis being renewed, with hbetterprospects
Of success. 1t is not New England only, but
many other sections, and the people of all the
leading cities, who are indignant at the course
of events in the coal regions, and the repeated
difficulties which at once threaten short sup
No matter what changes may be made in
the tariff, it is evident that all American
consumers, except the New England manu-
facturers must rely mainly upon the product
of our native mines, and if the agitation now
fomented is successful, it is only the Down
Casters that will be materially benefited The
citizens of Philadelphia must look for relief
mainly in a more perfect organization of the
industrial system of the mining regions of the
State. Coal is very often sold for a wonder
fully low price Thousands of operators en-
gagged in mining have in turn
been ruined by the impossibility
of obtaining an adequate reward
for the expenditures and risks of their preca-
rious business. There is a chronic tendency
to over-production which causes a gut in the
market and forces sales for a smaller sum
than the actual cost of mining and transporta-
ton. If all the mines are worked steadily,
they can easilyproduce from twentyt to twenty
five per cent more coal than the country
needs; and as concert of action among the
rival operators and coal-mining corporations
seems to be impossible, the workmen attempt,
nearly every season, to secure stoppage of
operations. in the belief that by this method
only can the permanent reduction of
prices to too low a standard be
prevented. They have resorted to their
usual tactics this year, and after securing a
material advance in their wages, they have
returned to work in all the prominent coal
districts, except in those controlled by two of
the most powerful coal-mining and transport
ing companies of the Lackawanna region.
They have steadily refused to accede to the
demands of the workmen, and the prolonged
suspension of operations at their important
works has given spectators pretext for
starting the cry that the coal supply may be
deficient. There is no real ground for this
fear. There are mines, miners, and railroads
enough to send to market infinitely more coal
than is needed. Past experience has demon
strated that even after stoppage in the
Schuylkill region for several months, extra
effort can subsequently increase the product
up to the usual standard.