The New York herald., 1871-02-24
MEETING o. COAL OPERATORS 1T
PHILADELPHIA.


PHILADELPHIA.
>~~~~>~~~~~~>~~~~-o>~~>~~
No signs Of a Cessation OF the strikc-n.;ners
Anxious 10 Gao 10 Work bur Cannot Accept
the Terms OF tho Coal Kings--Deiermiued
Efforts to Further Enhance the Price OF
Coal-.SuGeriuss and Mortality ia the Min
ing Districts-The Latest Oi,cr oil the Capi-
tnlists.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. %, 1917.
lhe despotc measures pursued by the prominent
coal operators OF New York, Philadelphia and
the mining regions in their eager desire to still fur
ther enhance the price OF coal, leaves no further
doubt IN the minds OF the people that the operators
and not the miners are at the bottom Of the
troubles now agitating the mining districts
OF Pennsylvania. The whole history Of coal mining
in America has never vet produced strike that will
equal the present one for the surerngs 1t has en-
tailed on the laborng classes and miners. Whole
fanilies In the mining regions are now stricken by
disease simply because they cannot pro-
cure the absolute necessities OF life. Re-
ports are daily brought IN OF sickness,
sunerIngs and death IN the nining regions,
and the mortality instead OF diminishing, is becom-
ing more fearful every week. Left alone to struggle
on as best they may, without money or assistance.
renewed sutieringsp The only wonder Is that we
are not startled some morning by the report OF out
RACES by desperate men seeking sustenance for their
starving families Ne#4
The parties who are driving these work:ngmer to
the verge OF despair are the very ones who daily
adding TO The mseries Ol these helpless people, and
we are told that the miners must be brought to
terms. We cannot submit to their exactions any
Every strike that has ever occurred IN
the coal regions has been brought about
BY the opeators to put up coal and to
year for poor people-winter. Tney generally com
mence operations early In the fall Miners are told
date the suffering poorQ) The reduction begins,
ana gradually arrives at such low figure that
depend altogether on the price OF coal This is just
exactly what the operators want. On the ground OF
short supply or coal inc price is raised, and as the
season advances and the rlgors OF winter begin to
be more keenly fell the price Is still further enhanced
And here we have the whole thing in
they most certainly do, the operators begin TO to
heap the oudest kind OF abuse on the miners. They
are accused OF conniyng to force the operators TO
pay them higher wages, and then we are told by the
indignant ana much abused C) operator, that the
miners have again combined N secret session TO
udd to the suferngs OF the poor people of the Coun
try This IS the history Of the present strKe and is
In fact the history OF every coal strike TO all intents
and purposes.
THE MINERS ARE WILLING
even anxious, to resume work, but the operators
win not let them. Tney have the game in their own
hands, and are going to hold the trumps till the
game is played out Three hundred millions Of
capital against less than one hundred thousand Is
fearful odds. we be allowed to Judge from former
precedents the larger amount will triumph.
The president OF the miners secret council called
on several operators OF the city last week and
offered to resume operations Oh the three dollars
basis. The operators not only spurned their offer,
but doubled the freight rates on the Read
stopped resumption. 1t must be understood that
there are among the operators number OF men
who are anxious for resumption Of business; they
are Of course, in the minority. These men had
begun operations in cerIaln sections OF the coal
regions when the rates were doubled, and they
were suddenly checked in their efforts TO
put coal In the market Operations ceased
at once and the miners retired from the mines. and
everything resumed the same dcsoate cir that has
possessed The country Tor the past three months.
1t Is time thus sympathy Tor the operators was
checked; they neither deserve nor need It,
FOUR SECRET MEETINGS
have already been held by operators two at New
York and two at Philadelphia. That held to-day
taken precautions to keep their proceedings secret
but the HERALD has invariably published a fall re-
port OF their dolngs and the objects aimed at.
Their confessed object is TO break up the Miners
Benevolent Association sdciety of the miners,
ganlzed for the mutual benefit and elevation OF
but simply aims to elevate its members,
and protect their interests against oppres.
up this % institution It was decided to hold out
against them TO the uttermOst. Knowing full well
that none but the miuers could lose. The operators
about the desired result, and their determination is
to break up this union at all hazards.
In the meeting this morning the following resolu.
tions were unanimously adopted. II the miners ac-
cep: the terms well and good, II not they viii be
official copy Of the report Of tne PROCEEDINGS this
morning. n ~o ueryn .es
Of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company the
s fr .as and ni .Ssss
M s"n o. s L9Sn Valley SaroHd
stoms Of he 6eMars actawanns anu and s
S
and Hsdss oafs John
smih superintendent Of the Pennsylvania Coal Company
as ss'ss$ ~ S.s5sys sas
William aa Iron and
Dr. nS'iss Esey eys. Coke ssi,i0 snd
aeae Of ss a the coal h sn , @
sn i kSs rna pss nsy S.r Of the
Aiter fun ntcrchanse Of opinions the following reso
Resolved, That the so1uyI region offer to the of
in November asst sliding up and down at the per
n .Ss nn e II w0 for
eoa a. Port Carbon that he men sha not be PAID
when coal is S ton at Port Carbon until all the regions
following rates FOR tas when coal ave dollars
dollars dolars miners wages,
dollar basis OF last year. with advance and decline OF
every one dollar and decline IN the Price Of coal at
Elizabeth or Port Johnson provided that until All the re9ns
paid than the would be entitled to receive this
basis when coal is elk dollars ton board At Elizabeth
port or Port Johnson. ..
Resolved That the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company
the Delaware Lackawanna and Wesern Railroad Company
and Pennsyivana Coal Company continue their present
with the right to modify it from time TO time
make the wages paid by them nearly equivalent prac
ca0e to what be for the time being paid the Schuy
xiii and Lehigh regions.
Resolved, That region to work upon the above
being accepted by their that region shall
until the of such region have accepted the
said terms
Resolved. That united in opposing any
by the workmen or their association with the management
and control OF works and will insist the aoandon
ment of their CLAIMS to such control.
II believed that the above rates will be nearly pos
sible equal in all the regions.
The meeting which perfectly harmonious throughout,
adjourn in New York at the call OF the Presi
dent.
Having relieved themselves of the iorgomg ..re-
sovesm the operators adjourned TO await the notion
OF the miners. .as M#ta r~ s.f
1t may well to state for the benefit of the laborers
in the mines that better offer will be made the
operators being determined upon neiding the game
In their own hands 10 the last.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.