The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-04
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
THE COAL TRADE.

The suspensIou-rhe Meetings Of the Anthra-
elite Board of Trade, and of the Miners aud
Laborers' Benevolent AssOciattoa- a-Rumors
and Facts OOnoerninG the Trade
A meeting of the operators of Schuylkll
county was held in this city on Thursday last
for the purpose of taking action-says the call
for the meeting-on measures of the most vital
Importance, One of the first of these measures
was to pass resolution that nothing which
might transpire was to be made public, SO that
none but those In the ring are any the wiser. 1t
may be that the interests of the trade require
this secrecy-that the miners are not to know OF
the intentions of the operators until their atten-
ton is called specially to them.
1t may be that il s best for the interests of the
trade to devise measures having a certain sup
posed intention, but in reality having nothing of
the kind, the real end being understood all the
while by those devising them, and so explained
and acted upon at a secret meeting. But as a
general rule those things which do not allow of
an open and fair examination are of a character
such as would be greatly damaged by fair
examination.
meeting of the Miners and Laborers' Bene-
fetal Association was also held during the week
at Pittston. This, in like manner, was also con-
Quoted with closed doors; but this, we believe, Is
the usual custom with that organization. Va.
rious rumors atloat as to what was there
done; some stating that a resumption has been
ordered for the 10Th OF this month; others that
there will be no more work done until March
But one very important resolution appears TO
have been offered, and, as near as can be CLEANED
10 nave Deen NOteu QOWn Dy more JnaQ q
majority vote. This was a motion to allow some
of the iron furnaces to be supplied with coal
during the suspension. All the furnaces are
now on very short supply, and unless the
stock can speedily be increased they will have
to stop. A stoppage OF furnace involves great
loss not only to the owners but to the men en-
ployed. The condition of the iron trade at
present, partly owing to the free-trade legisla-
tion of Congress, is such that higher price
cannot be paid for fuel The iron interest is of
nearly as great Importance as that of coal, and
the stoppage of all the furnaces in this vicinity
would throw out of employment from ten to
twelve thousand men.
In the present condition of the trade the fur
naces, if once STOPPED, will probably not be
started again in hurry, and on account of the
great quantities of coal which they consume
their stopage would seriously affect the demand
for coal when there is a resumption of work.
Here then is shortsightedness, meanness, and
withal positive suicide on the part of the
miners,
The members Of the association discussed the
resolution for some time and then deliberately
refused to pass it. AS a consequence several
furnaces, one near Bethlehem, aud another in
Schuylkil, have already stopped, and Others
will speedily follow unless coal eau be obtained
within few days. At ParryYile, says the
Scranton Republican, furnaces are situated
within ten miles of the Nesquehoning coal
mines, where several thousand tons of coal are
on hand, but the fuel cannot be had, because the
men will not permit ii to be taken to the
breakers. Here is O state of affairs for the de-
tenders of trades unions to contemplate. Here
is an example of the usual abuse of power,
which should, and if continued in will cause
the overthrow of the entire organization.
The six Shamokin colieries still continue
operations, with one addition to the number.
The shipments this week, however, from that
region were small on account of the heavy snow
storm.
The following ie the complete summary of the
trade for the past week, as reported for the
Pottsville Miners Journal of to-day