Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-03
THEtOAL DIFFICULTY.

The strike OF the miners III the Ienil-
sylvania coal regions, which began in
January, has produced wide reaching eff
fects and still the evil continues. When
coal doubles suddenly in price at this
season of the year there must be conse-
qnent excitement and suffering, for it is |
an article of common use and necessity, |
in all.parts Of the country, and the rise is
felt as sensibly almost as would be like
increase in the cost Of provisions. The
cause of the state of things which has pro-
duced the scarcity and demand for coal has
been stated in various ways. At first it
was said to be on account of a combine
ton between the miners and their employ
ers to create a short supply of coal in the
market and keep up the price. But it is
evident now that this explanation was utter
ly wrong. Instead of the operatives and
operators working in concert for their
mutual benefit, they are engaged in a
contest with each other over the question
of wages and rights, and while they fight
all business is suspended and the public
suffers. The strike started upon the
proposition of the employers to reduce
the pay of the operatives from the basis of
$3.50 per day to the basis of $500. The
employers refused to yield, and the work
men combined throughought the mining
regions by means of their union organiza-
ton, and thus have been able to continue
the strike. The employers urge that the
reduced price which they offer is better at
the present rates of the cost of living than
the former wages at former rates of pro-
visions and other articles of necessity.
They also state that the Miners Union has
become so formidable that it is a perfect
despotism, and virtually controls the
whole mining business, not only establish
ing the wages of the laborer but compell-
ing him to adhere to its regulations, and
obliging the employer to submit to its
dietations about wages and whom he shall
hire. If the employer yields he surrenders
the control of his business to an irrespon-
sible and lawless organization hostile to
his interests, therefore he says he must
continue the war or cease to be master of
his own property. Thus the matter stands.
Both parties are resolute. The laborers
are hoping that the need of the country
for coal will force resumption of business
upon their terms, and the employers trust
that short fare and distress among the
miners will drive the latter to commence
work at the reduced rate offered. That
the miners will be worsted in the end
admits of no doubt. 1t is but a question
of time with them. There may be COM
promise, but not necessarily on the part of
the owners will there be yielding. They
can stand the pressure longest, and en-
durance gives the victory.
In the meantime while the deadlock con-
tinues the public suffers. Those who were
short of coal have to pay extravagant
prices, and not only are the poor pinched
for fuel, but those kinds of business that
depend for power upon coal are cramped
and subjected to loss and suspension. The
worst feature about this business is, how
ever, that the panic occasioned has been
unnecessarily aggravated by interested
parties, coal dealers who have stocks on
hand for which they exact exorbitant
prices. and others who have a point to
carry by the rise. There is not so much
excitement about an anticipated coal
famine as there was a week ago. The
supply has wonderfully expanded, and
under the favoring influence of mild
weather and new sources of supply there
is prospect that the difficulty may be
tided over. Spectators will improve
their opportunity whether they deal in
coal or gold. The refusal of the railroad
companies to transport the coal from the
mining regions, or to exact exorbitant
rates, has made the matter worse, and
appears to be inexcusable.
OF course this condition Of things has
caused an cutlery for the repeal of the duty
On foreign coal. Even the Mex York
Legislature has been moved with the sub !
ject, and much Indignation has been pour
ed out in democratic newspapers over the
dnty ON coal. But since the coal difficulty
is entirely with anthracite, that upon
which there is no duty, the cry for repeal
has little foundation in the present search
ty. There is duty on btuminous coal
of $1.25 per ton, bat the price of btu
minous coal is the same in New York as
before the strike, and the supply has not
been affected by it.
The Ellsworth American saws the inhal,i-