The New York herald., 1871-03-08
THE COAL QUESTION.
Opinions Of Asa Packer, President Of the Lehigh
Wiley Railroad Company, on the
Miners Strike-rairness Of the
Keral6's Statements.
PHILADELPHIA. March Z, 1871.

PHIrADELpHIA, March Z, 1871.
A HERALD reporter had an interview with Asa
Packer President OF the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Company. this morning, in regard to the all-absorb
ING question now before the public-viz.: the coal
strike.
MIR. PACKER sald:-I have seen your compilation Of
figures from Mr. Pardee's books at Ha2leton. 0pe-
rators and railroad men unite Ia saying that the
HERALD has been very fair in giving those figures;
probably nothing cou,d give a better Idea OF the
wages paid 70 miners than the same tables. IL Is
not now SO much question OF wages as to who
shall have control Of the works and railroads. We
claim that as have the capital invested and are
the owners OF the mines and railroads, we have a
right 10 control them
REpoaTsR-If the miners are working FOR the con-
troll OF the MINES what is their particular object?
Mr.. PAcKER-I do not know exactly what they are
working for III the future; they want rst to get the
control OF the col cries. and circumstances viii dc
tate what use to make Of that power.
REPoRrER-In regard TO raising the tolls on the
roads, what have you to say on tnat snbectY
Nr. PAcKER-We were obliged 10 do II TO protect
ourselves. II is al erroneous impression that has
got abroad that we are working IN conjunction with
The operators 10 keep mp the price OF coal.
REPoRr ER-The great public understand 1t that
way
MI. PAcKER-The operators ana ourselves are just
lars the year round as the consumers. No; we were
obliged 10 raise our rates, FOR We have some four
Iive thousand men IN our employ and we have TO
Keep them pad 1t would not do 10 discharge them
every time anything of tins kind comes up;
II would take al least a year TO train
men 10 I'LL their places. Wen, We are OF nearly as
great IN expense IN transporting 1000 tons OF coal
were IN transporting loo, COO tons without re-
ceiying more than one-tenth the receipts. We were
oohged 10 ralse the rates 10 such u hgure that at
least oae-han OF former cash receipts might he re-
celvec. We would soon run behind If we did not.
REORGANIZATION wish IL understood, then, tnat
tots were not Raised to shat out the few operators
who desired 10 keep the market supplied?
MI. PACKER-Decldedly; IL had tlat effect, but
was so intended. II the operators would all
make up their minds TO accede 10 the miners de-
mands we would he wei enough suited WHAT we
want Is business. fear, however, that the operators
Will not give what the miners ask. IL Is not much
ON account OF wages Us the effect IL would have to
maSe the miners beteve the operators were obliged
10 give in 10 them.
REpoRTER-.tis NOT proposed, them TO give IN to
the miners. The operators ana carrying companies,
now that the fight mas begun, propose to hang oul
Mr. PAcKER-Yes. The operators, and justly
think, propose TO control their own interest IL Is
shall work ior; but ! DO not recognize
the justice OF any combination controlling
the miners cnu,s nnt loose rom me worktn@men,s
Benevolent Association they would willingly 30 TO
work. Under the present system OF terrorism IN
vogue in the mining regions the man or men who
begin work against the pleasure OF the Working
mems Benevolent Association Council are made TO
feel the displeasure OF the society very quickly.
REPoRrER-Do you think the furnaces will
''blow ont" IN short timei
Mr.. PACKER-They VIII, certainly, unless they re-
ceiye supply Of coal Twenty are now idle IN the
Lehigh region.
REPoRTER-What is the loss to the owner when o
furnace obliged to stop Tor want OF fuel or other
reaSonsf
MI. PACKER-There is dead loss OF from fifteen
thousand 10 twenty thousand dollars, according 20
size anu capacity OF furnaces The twenty furnaces
that have cited sustain an aggregate loss OF about
three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
EEfoETER--i understand the Judiciary Committee
have summoned some OF the leading railroad men-
yourself among the number-to Harrisburg to
answer 10 charges tpreierred by mlners) Of extor'
tionate tolls.
Mr. PACKER--Yes, we have but guess the rail
roads fully understood what they were DONG wher
they advanced their tolls They have IN no lnstanc,
violated their respective charters. we vii. see; w
WILL see.
REPcRTER-Do You really think neither side vii
give mp until the miners starved into sublec
IonS
Mr.. PACaEg-That is q hard question 10 answer
the General Council OF the Miners Union may call
meeting and decide TO accept the offers OF ne Ope
raIors, and work long enough to get some money
ahead when they VIII again quit without notice
We can't tell anything about them.
MEaNrIME
q HERALD reporter VIII be hand to promptly
report all the actions, good or bad OF either mine
Or operator.