The New York herald., 1871-02-09
THE GREAT COAL STRIKE.
Kffesp n suPensiou Of the Grand
Ceuneil-Minsrs Gathsring-Ths Iron In
tsrssts-Prospscts Of the Futurs-Atti-
tude Of the Great Companies
WILKRsBARRH, Feb. Q, 1871.

EFFECTS OF SUSPENsIoN.
The miners have now been out OF work throughout
tho anthracite coal fields for four weeks suspen-
on more general than ever before and the offects
more widespread ana disastrous. IN this county
the men employed BY the Delaware and Hudson
Canal Company, the Pennsylvania Coal Company
and the Delaware. Lackawanna ana western Rail-
road Company have been idle since the lst Of Do
cember. and am sorry to soy there does not appear
to be much prospect Of their returning to labor at
very early day. For about ten days from the COM
mcncement of the general suspension movement the
weather was mild and pleasant and the men enjoyed
tho novelty OF few days idleness, as they could
knot up around the corners and mutually encour-
ago each other by detailing their grievances and
nOuncing their employers. But for nearly three
weeks the temperature has been arctic In ts charac
ter, the heaviest snow storms Of the season have
visited Va, and the strikers havo been left
In great measure TO their individual resources
pnd their own reflections. With o large ma
jorty OF the miners the day has consumed
what the day has earned, and much distress Is
being felt from depleted larders and the rigor OF the
season. There Is no such thing as coal heap In this
section for them to go to, and for two weeks past
the snow has completely prevented ''picking up"
loose c0al-an operation which the very poor are
usually allowed to perform around the coal shutes
during the winter months. II Is probable that the
pcoplo VI 1dTlS uIu not SuHer more uepftVaLlOnS
than the miners are now undergoing. Storekeep-
era have been accommodating with credit during
previous strikes, and are now TO certain extent;
but, with perfect prostraon Of oil kinds Of busi-
ness anu no money in circulation, coupled with an
uncertainty as to how long the present state OF
affairs s to continue, they cautious and tmd in
regard to making large bills and therefore deal out
only what Is actually necessary to keep their GUS
toners along from day to day. The most Important
question with oil classes In the coal region
IL, how much longer can the miners hold
outS Already there are utterances OF discon
tent, and many are disposed to rebel against
the Grand Council II resumption OF work
Is not soon ordered There is very
general agreement that the mines should
be put in operation by the 10th OF the
present month"; yet have authority for saying that
work will not he resumed at that time. But the
pressure Will soon begin upon the Grand Council to
hasten the day, and the prospect is that the works
In Scnuylkill and those In Carbon and Luzerne
counties working upon basis VIII be IN operation
on or perhaps little before the st OF March. do
not believe that the Council will vent ure to keep
tue men from work longer tnan that from fear of
strong reaction setting against the union In public
sentiment. The prevailing opinion Is that there
really no reason now why the men should not go to
work, when there Is no stock OF coal at the mines
and storing places and prices have gone up to ten
dollars ton Tor household consumption in the
OlIeS. Up 10 lilS tilne the miners have had the
sympathy OF the laboring masses all over the coun-
try but now tnat high prices pinch the pockets and
the cold weather chills the bodies OF the poor they
are asking ieelingly VINO are the ''coal conspira-
t0rSY" 1t IL doubtful il the miners satisfactorily
answer the inquiry If they persist In still further
preventing supply OF fuel for their brother work.
men In other callngs
MEETING OF THE GRAND COUNCIL.
ing ol the Grand Council Of the W. A. b., al p,tston,
aud u mass gathering OF the miners at Scran ton.
The former took place last Tuesday and the sessions
A nj bnn nj
one time gaddened the hearts Of the people of the
Coal regions for 1t was thought that the end OF sus.
would order resumption OF work at an early day.
But the magnates OF the miners met and separated
atld made no sign Instead or attempting TO har-
monze the difficulties in this county their attention
was mainly directed TO considering how the UNION
ing struggle for u "oasis." They debated simply
with view 10 strengthening the backbone OF the
miners In this section, and not upon the matters
which are OF so much interest TO tile great public
abroad. There was nothing conclatory ia their ac-
tioa, and nothing but selfish considerations seemed
10 actuate them. These men have stupendcus
power delegated TO them, and II Is source OF regret
that they appear TO use 1t by appealing TO the preu-
tiices vi the they represent, and una their
passions instead OF directing their Judgments. The
more important business done by the Council, any
way was the rejection OF resolution 10 allow the
furnaces in the Lehlgh valley TO be supplied vita
Coal. This refusal shows dog-ln- thenanger
sni, on the part OF the Council which cannot Sail
NOl producing more distress among workngmen,
ami much surprise Is expressed at Its exhibition.
he production OF coal for tne use OF the furnaces
suppression prevails that the tactics adopted by the
Council viii prove quite as disastrous to the miners
gl rebound, and, ultimately, seriously damage the
workers in The mines. We shall see.
GATHERING OF THE MINERS.
The miners Ia ana about Scranton had a mass
meeting SATURDAY night and listened to their
great apostle John Parker Mr. Parker Is earn
est worker among the miners, ana has more IN
1uence with them than any ten other men in the
Stale. He belongs down IN Schuylkl county, be-
leve at least lie Is located there as editor Of the
miners organ, and 1t is thought that his feelings
and sympathes are more with the miners in tnat
seeon tIan n Wil tnose Oh any any olaef quarter. hs
DO regarded as significant 1t Is important
sion movement that the miners OF this re.
gion shall present an unbroken and unwayering
front 10 the companies whicn control the anthracite
Schuykil county TO make better terms with their
employers. His labors are most likely auxiliary TO
the action OF the Grand Council and designed TO
Keep our miners up to the point OF resistance. At
The meeting alluded to Mr. Parker spoke fairly and
dispassonatey upon the situation. He took, OF
course the miners side OF tile question, and con-
tended that suspension the only specific for the
periodical niirnities OF the coal trade. He claimed
that the miners last year produced 900 900 tons OF
coal, while the consumption only amounted to about
1t,oooooO tons. In view Of this acf, MIR. Palker's
aud that OF the miners logic IT, that the men should
earn as much IN eight or nine months upon basis
arrangement as they could by aD0rlng all the year
may hardly stand the test OF careful but
1t took well with the class Of men for whom II
was designed and will have its influence. The
seemed calmly defiant in attitude 10 appears tnat
anas in the upper part Of tho county not to be
speedily settled, judging from the temper OF Mr..
Farkers meeting But poverty and hunger are
stcrner advisers than men, and II is possible that
the Runcrs' sOnlachs may decide the question ad.
yersely TO Mr.. Iarker's plans.
THE IRON INTEREST.
The refusal of the Grand Council to permit coal to
DO mined Tor the use OF the iron furnaces Is re-
gardcd with indignation and alarm by everybody
but the miners. u s well known fact that there is
hardly furnace III the Lehigh region that can carry
on operations until the 1st OF March with the pres
ent stock OF coal hand. The action OF tho Grand
Council seems to indicate settled determination to
prOsrae the iren interest as well as all other branches
OF industry In the attempt TO keep up miners wages
to Il particular standard. Already several OF the
largest rolling mills II this portion OF the state have
been obliged 10 suspend work, and the blast furnaces
will havo follow suit within tao next three weeks
II the mines not operated. 1t is dncult to COM
prchend this hostility oil the miners Representatives
toward some OF their best friends. They will pro.
baby DO abo to reconcile IL, as they have some