The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-02
CITY INTEALIGENC
THE COAL TRADE.


The expected strike of the miners OF the
Schuylkill region has at length begun. Col
lieries have been stopping one aiter anotner
since Thursday evening last by this evening,
the time specified for general suspension, tue
strike will be universal at least so far as the
Schuylkill collieries are concerned. No suspen-
sions have yet occurred in the Scranton region,
though 1t is expected that some of the men will
stop tomorrow If the Mahanoy and Tamaqua
The refusal of the Schuylkill county men to
accept the reduced basis has been upheld by the
other regions. At the general council of the
w, b. A. held at Summit HILL the delegates
from all the regions voted against its accept
ance, and the following resolution was passed.
That view Of the ATTEMPT of the coal operators Of the
of the association Carbon and Luzerne counties do
bsss 70 come TS and we viii share our work
with them, rather than they shall submit reduction
This is certainly very honorable in the Carbon
and Luzerne county men, but it is a question
how far they will carry their sentiments into
effect should there be necessity.
The more liberal-minded of those in Schuyl-
kill county are strongly opposed to q suspension,
thinking that it will be better to accept the
lower basis with hope of an advance next
year. They think that the present course will
have a tendency to break up the w. B. A.,
which If broken can never be revived. 1t is to
the interest of the companies to break up this
association If possible and their efforts should
be heartily seconded by all consumers of the
article, The effect of such dismemberment
though consumers may still be made the victims
of spectators, there is at least fairer show for
them.
The great difficulty is to fix basis which will
apply with equal fairness TO all sections, on ac-
count of the difference in contract prices.
plan proposed for the obviation of this difficulty
is the appointment OF umpires, who shal Shall fix
different rates for different sections. They are
to visit the different collieriss and fix what they
consider the fair rates, these rates to be as uni
form as possible, making allowance for the more
I'm II. l. +
for the best interests of the miners if it can be
carried out, but it is extremely doubtful that
majority would favor it.
The slight rise in the price of coal caused by
the late cold weather gave rise to q supposition
that some of the operators would not be able to
resist the temptation, would accede to the de-
mands of the men, and resume work on the old
basis. The operators are bound in writing to
stand by each other, but q strong temptation
would very likely cause them to break through
such an agreement. But, as if to help them out
of the dilemma the Reading Railroad men have
also struck against proposed reduction of
wages, which was to take effect at the same
time as the reduction on the miners. AS it will
be impossible to get the coal to market for
time at least, if this strike continues the opera
tors will not be tempted to give In.
If the strike continues for any great length of
time the tendency will be to somewhat advance
the price of coal, but on the first resumption of
operations the price will undoubtedly fall lower
than ever. Very high rates, even during the
from the fact that the strike cannot be made
universal as to include all the regions. Our
supplies will come from other sources, and we
will have to pay the increased cost OF the round
about transportation, but that is all.
The effect of q long suspension on the
miners will undoubtedly be detrimental. So
great q loss of wages cannot but be felt.
Though some may be supported by the funds
of the w. B. A., all cannot be. These will be
sent off to hunt work in regions where it is
extremely doubtful that 1T can be obtained.
Even those who are aided with money from the
association do not get the full amount of these
wages. They put themselves on short allow
ance in the hope of betterng themselves in the
end. But the loss sustained by being on short
allowance during the continuance OF long
strike--say of two months-ls more than can
be made up by an advance on the regular wages
in eight or ten months time; that is, supposing
that such an advance can be obtained at the end
of the strike, which is by no means certain.
And if it were obtained, it is also question as
to how long the higher rates could be continued.
To be alternately striking and working even at
the highest of wages, will make the amount of
money gained in the course Of a year much less
than what would be gained from steady work at
low rates. But the men who render this move
ment necessary are not notorious for their far
sightedness. They are of the class who literally
take no thought for the morrow. No amount
OF persuasion will indEce them to see what is
their best course. AS rule they are good-for-
nothing set, and are better pleased to be idle
half the time than to work. Steady work
would totally upset their time-honored
notions of happiness, which consist
in spending alternate months in the
coal mine and grogshop. There are about
$4,000 men and boys employed in the Schuylkill
collieries Averaging their Individual wages at
$40 per week. we have stoppage OF $22O, ,OOO
for every week, which would otherwise be paid
to these men from outside sources. The general
funds of the w. B. A. may help to alleviate
many of the disadvantages occasioned by this
stoppage but this is only spreading the disad-
vantage through larger radius OF country,
which, as the number of sufferers is larger, will
cause each one to feel it less. But so great a
divergence of wealth and so great q loss OF
money cannot but be felt, no matter from whose
pockets it may come.
The monthly sale of Scranton coal took place
in New York on Wednesday. There was an
unusually large attendance and considerable
competition, resulting in an advance on al
to consumers.
Several mining accidents have taken place
during the week, the particulars OF which have
been before given.
An important case, involving the question o
right to a Richmond coal wharf, was argued il
the Nisi Prius Court on Tuesday The contes
is between Messrs. Lewis Audenried ~ Co. ant
the Reading Railroad. The question turne
upon the right of railroad company to sa
who shall occupy the piers, when there is no
room enough for all. The firm involved hav
bsd pier No IL allotted to them for years. Th
caseis still under adVisement
The I'LL in the Pennsylvania Legislature whic
proposed TO limit the charges on coal and mel
chandise he been killed in committee, throug
the instrumel+ality of the corporations.
A vein OF Goa has been discovered near Bucks
Vile, Bucks coung
At Mauch Chunk here were transported owe
both railroads tor he week ending April