New-York tribune., 1870-12-16
TIE COMING COAL FAMINE.

THE PROSPECT OF A GENERAL SUSPENSION OF
COAL MNING-PURPOsEs or THE MINERS
THEIR GRAND COUHCIL-OyER-PRODUCTI
OF COAL-GENERAL SUSPENSIONS NO REM
EDY-REsTRICTIoNS on DAYS wORKs-wHAr
MONOPOLY MIGHT DO.
WILKES-BARRE, Dec. 15 The question
whether general suspension OF mining operations will
be ordered by the Grand Council Of the Miners Union
s continues TO be an absorbing theme for capitalists
and laborers In these parts The effect Of tho strike OF
the companies men has been anadvance OF about dol
lar un in the Wholesale prices OF coal In New York,
which makes the operators here who still working,
rather anxious to go the business Is profitable
The district Unions Of the miners here have been voting
on the question Of suspension and the majorties have
been in favor OF stopping But the time and place OF the
meeting OF the Grand Council treeas much my steTy
as ever.
The object Of the suspension III Il resolved on
seems probable will be, In plain terms to advance the
price OF coal. All the miners who are now working
receive wages which would I've increased by rse The
basis here is IS tun at Wholesale In New-York. For
several m0ntba they have been receiving the minimum
or basis wages, and the above mentioned advance
OF 81 in coal brings thenprice ttle at ALL above the
basis The wages increased 2 per cent for each rise
OF above the basis price per tun II coal rses so cents
wages are advanced six per cent. The calculation OF
the miners Is that suspension Of work for FIVE six
weeks would clear of good share OF the surplus in
the markets, advance prices dollar above the
u'nir, D1l5h some months uIter
the resumption.
1t may be alleged in Justification OF their proposed
ton that about half the cOeries In the chuylk region
have already stopped for lack Of bsss and that half
the miners there o>SssaueJ SOwn out OF employ
ment Now. II al MY y syrPed for u month two
When mining In resumed there Will be demand for the
services OF the entire fraternity we'll considera
BILE advance IN IN that county, where the basis
anu minimum or wages are much lover than they
mere III there IA general suspension OF mining opera
lions on the LIST OF January the stated viii be the
bet "
feren sections to fight the great companies who have
attempted the reduction, and Oocasioned the present
btrike The mners unions Of the yareus counties are,
AT present. Ike 70 many European States. The great
companies have at least effected this much The differ
ent sections may make treaties and alliances, and may
cay on war together but they have perfect that
closer union which the defense and general well
hre would 10 require III the anticipated suspen-
sion IA carried out, and lasts month. 10 will do more to
unto te different Unions and their conteder
ay whose Continental Congress IL the Grand Counc
than anything In their previous history. They have
never YET acted In concert for no long period.
Inc object Of the Grand Council II that body IA ever
enabled to carry out tho scheme VI Its projectors, Is TO
regulate tho supply OF coal and, by regulating that to
regulate the market prices and the wages
production Ia certainly at the bottom Of mOst OF the
cent dculties IN the coal regions. There already
mines and machinery sufficient, IL worked steadily
through the year. 10 turn so per cent more coal
.hhn the market requires The Schuyll lmnes, owing
10 strikes and low prices, have not worked this
year up TO half their capacity yet for some months tho
markets have been glutted and mning has been losng
business The consumption Of anthracite coal the
current year will not exceed 100000 tuns, yet tho
innes and machinery arc sufficient furnish from
ooOVO 10 D.tO,0oO tuns The annual increase In tho
consumption cannot now be placed higher than 900
tus no that tho dsproporton bds fair continue
some years
Tho capacity OF production Of coal miue ls measured