The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-03-07
PENNSYLVANIA.

THE COAL QUESTION-THE MINERS AT FAULT
OPERATIVE MINING PROFITABLE EMPLOY
&MENT.
PHILADELPHIA, March 6-The Reading Rail-
road CO.has prepared a memorial to the legisla-
ture, reviewing at length the causes of the pres
the Workingmen's Benevolent Association are
solely responsible for the existing state of facts
and declaring that the pending offer of the
W 30 basis to miners from the operators is fair
and Just. On the latter point the memorial
Continues THAT this fer is fair and Just is
shown, ~..+ t---.
First-Because its terms are practically the
same as those under which the men were
working when the suspension took place.
SecOnd-Because the wages offered are ex-
men had agreed to accept during the entire
season of 1870.
Third-Because while the men receive the
benefit OF every advance in the price of coal,
no matter how high it may be, they are pro-
tested by minimum from being forced to bow.
Fourth-Because at the rate of wages offer
ed any good miner can readily earn from 81 to
SIS per day, as can be shown from the actual
pay lists of different cOlleries during the yast
two years; a rate of wages which exceeded the
average income of members OF three learned
professions in the United States, and higher
than earned by any other similar class of la
Dor in the world. t.at
Fifth-Because il is believed that three quar-
tiers of the workingmen, il they could give ex-
preston to their real feelings without fear of
intimidation, would gladly accept the wages
oHeJ ed to 60 to work. The real question at is
sue between railroad compapy's coal operators
and manufacturers on the one side and the
Workingmen's. Benevolent Association on the
other are as follows: -l.s . vras o. D.4
First-Shall the supply and demand regu-
late as well the price OF coal as other commo-
dities and the public be allowed to purchase
fuel at as low prices as those who produce it
10 ollr e.
ton at Port Carbon aud 81 per ton at Eliza
bethport, or shall the Workingmen's Benevo-
lent Association by unlawful combinations
keep the price always up to at least SO per ton
at Port Carbon AID SIS per ton at Elizabeth.
port?
Second-Shall peaceable laboring men in the
coal regions, on railroads and canals and at our
large manufacturing establishments be per-
mitted to work peacefully at wages entirely
SATISFACTORY to themselves or shall they be
kept IN ldleness, their families in want and the
entire Industry OF whole communities be par
alyzed BY the decree of few misguided lead
ers of secret association?
Third-Shall the owners OF colleries, WHO
have invested large amounts of money in an
uncertain aud precarious occupation, be per-
mitted to manage and control their own bust
ness, or must they continue in the future as
they have during the past year dictation of
their own employees as to whom and how they
shall work their mines, whom they may em-
details Of daily routine OF colliely manage
mont?
The Company further say that they have not
violated the charter by the recent advance in
tolls, which, however, will be promptly reduced
when mining is resumed; that there is no dan
ger whatever of coal famine ,as the opening OF
navigation will enable New York and other
leading markets to be supplied with anthracite
for four or five months, and that they will be
glad to give any evidence desired by the legis-
lative investigating committee.
THE MOUNT CARMEL MURDER
louisville. March Conditional paIticu-
lars received from Mount Carmel, the scene of
the late murder, represent the people as much
excited over the murder. Hoffman was in bed
and hearing noise outside proceeded to the
window when a voley Of balls were shot at
him. No arrests have yet been made. An in
quest was held and a verdict rendered that
Hoffman came to his death by fire arms in the
hands of persons unknown. s.
THE MINING QUESTION.
The miners are very quiet and orderly in this
vicinity, and no reports of violence have been
received. The additional so for tolls imposed
by the Reading Railroad Company prevents
any more shipment of coal the present. in con-
sequence Of which some few of the cOlleries
that had resumed work yielded to the demands
of miners and have been compelled to suspend